Senior Utilities Services Worker - Wastewater

THE POSITION

3% COLA effective 7/1/2024

3% COLA effective 7/1/2025

3% COLA effective 7/1/2026

2.5% Education Incentive

• Bachelor's Degree

5% Education Incentive

• Master's Degree

The Senior Utilities Services Worker is responsible to perform a variety of duties related to leading, scheduling, planning, assigning, and prioritizing construction and maintenance projects for the wastewater collection system or the City's potable water system including water distribution and treatment functions and infrastructure including equipment such as dump trucks, utility vehicles, backhoes, and cranes; to prepare and maintain project files and related documentation; and to provide technical support to assigned supervisor.

The City of Modesto is currently accepting applications for vacancies in our Wastewater Division.

Application Process

Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is most qualified to compete in the testing process.

It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application form with the words "see resume". The following information is provided for you to use as a reference and as a planning tool. Human Resources is unable to schedule make-up examinations.

Applicants considered to be the most qualified will be invited to continue in the testing process which may include a selection interview.

Human Resources reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City. The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS

Essential and other important responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

Plan, prioritize, and review the work of crews assigned to perform a variety of the City's potable water system and wastewater and storm water collections system construction, maintenance, and repair activities.

Develop schedules and methods to accomplish assignments ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.

Participate in evaluating the activities of staff, providing feedback, and recommending improvements and modifications.

Assist supervisory and management staff with the design, planning, prioritizing, assignment, and inspection of various maintenance, repair and construction projects.

Provide and coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies.

Research and solicit purchase quotes for equipment and supplies; make recommendations on purchases.

Assist in the development and monitoring of the division budget.

Serve as a technical resource regarding areas of assignment; answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action to resolve complaints, as necessary.

Coordinate activities with other divisions, departments, utilities, and outside organizations to accomplish tasks, as necessary.

Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.

Review work orders and prioritize and schedule work to be completed.

Evaluate assigned activities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on activities.

Oversee the use, maintenance, repair, and inventory of equipment used in the maintenance and repair of the water/wastewater systems.

Inspect and coordinate the work of crews and outside contractors; monitor work performed and associated costs.

Plan and coordinate routine to complex traffic control plans; obtain appropriate permits for work on state highways.

Participate in and ensures the development and adherence to safety programs.

Maintain time, material, and equipment use records; prepare various reports related to work activities including technical reports in response to regulatory activities.

Prepare project cost estimates; request supplies and materials.

Perform the duties of assigned crews, as necessary.

Perform confined space entries per City of Modesto and Cal OSHA regulations.

Participate and attend professional group meetings; stays abreast of new and current trends affecting area of assignment.

Perform standby and on-call duties as assigned and required.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.

Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.

Marginal Functions:

Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Materials, methods, practices, equipment, and elements of construction technology of water or wastewater systems and related infrastructure and equipment.

Principles and practices of technical and functional supervision and training.

Types and level of maintenance and repair activities generally performed on a water or wastewater collection system.

Equipment, tools, and materials used in the construction, maintenance, and repair of water/wastewater collection systems and infrastructure.

Safe work practices, regulatory safety programs, and procedures.

Traffic laws, ordinances, and rules involved in light and heavy equipment operations.

Working in and around open trenches, traffic, construction equipment, and utilities.

Traffic control on construction sites.

Pertinent sections of health, safety, and labor codes.

Basic principles and practices of budgeting and cost accounting and monitoring.

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computerized pump control systems.

Basic plumbing and electrical principles.

Practices and techniques of metal cutting and welding.

Confined space entry rules and regulations.

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.

Water sampling methods; water disinfection and chemical dosage requirements.

Safety procedures in handling chemicals.

The use, operation, and maintenance requirements of a wide range of power-driven equipment including trucks, backhoes, loaders, and cranes.

Hydraulic principles used for the design and diagnosis of systems.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

Plan, estimate, direct, coordinate, schedule, and review the work of others; use "lead by example" methodology.

Keep records and prepare reports.

Coordinate work assignments with other divisions, departments, other agencies, and external groups.

Prepare a variety of progress and regulatory reports; keep and maintain a variety of detailed records.

Identify and implement effective courses of action to complete assigned work.

Identify and dispatch appropriate personnel to repair electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation and control failures.

Inspect the design and quality of in house and purchased fabricated assemblies.

Independently perform a variety of skilled and complex repair, maintenance, servicing, and cleaning tasks involving pumps, motors, and computerized and pneumatic controls.

Troubleshoot and diagnose malfunctions with pumping capacities, and pneumatic and computerized controls, and determine effective course of action for correcting them.

Read and interpret blueprints.

Work in confined spaces.

Operate a variety of light and heavy equipment.

Locate utilities and be familiar with Underground Service Alert (U.S.A.) procedures.

Perform the full range of duties assigned to crews.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

One year as a Utilities Services Worker III with the City of Modesto;

OR

Three years of experience performing journey-level water distribution or wastewater collections system construction, maintenance, and repair duties, including lead worker responsibilities.

Training:

High School diploma or GED equivalency.

.

License or Certificate:

Depending upon assignment, one or more of the following certifications may be required at time of appointment or within a prescribed timeframe:

Possession of a valid Class A or Class B Commercial California driver's license with specific endorsements is required within ninety (90) days of appointment.

Possession of a Grade III Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the State of California.

Possession of a Grade II Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the State of California.

Possession of a Water Sampling Certificate.

Possession of a Grade I Collection System Maintenance Technologist certificate issued by California Water Environment Association (CWEA) is required at time of final filing.

Possession of a Grade II Mechanical Technologist certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) is required at time of final filing.

Possession of a Grade II Wastewater Collection System Maintenance Technologist certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) is desirable.

Failure to obtain any of the required licenses/certificates within the prescribed time will result in release from probation or termination.

Additional Requirements:

Must be a minimum of 18 years of age at time of application.

During the course of employment, may be required to attend and successfully complete training courses

as needed to perform assigned duties, such as First Aid and CPR.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting. Lifting: frequently up to 50 pounds; occasionally up to 75 pounds.

Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Some duties involve working outside in a variety of climates and working in traffic.

Some positions may be assigned to remote locations. Positions may require occasional overtime or weekend work and travel is rare.