Utilities Equipment Operator I-Utilities Equipment Operator II

• PLEASE NOTE: THIS POSITION IS LOCATED IN THE WASTEWATER DIVISION - SPECIFICALLY THE SANITATION SEWER EVALUATION SYSTEM (SSES) CREW. TWO DESCRIPTIONS ARE DISPLAYED. THE INCUMBENT WILL BE HIRED AT THE HIGHEST SKILL LEVEL MET BASED ON EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSING.*

JOB SUMMARY:

This is the first of three levels in the Utilities Equipment Operations series. Incumbents operate equipment used in the excavation, construction, and maintenance of underground utilities. Responsibilities may include operating backhoes, rubber-tire loaders, large dump trucks, vacuum trucks, jet wash trucks and related equipment; excavating underground gas and water lines; maintaining assigned equipment; locating underground utilities; installing or repairing utilities; and performing manual labor.

JOB SUMMARY

This is the second of three levels in the Utilities Equipment Operations series. Incumbents operate equipment used in the excavation, construction, and maintenance of underground utilities. Responsibilities may include preparing materials and equipment for the assigned job; ensuring safety standards are adhered to; and performing duties of the lower level.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (Utilities Equipment Operator I: (These are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)

• Operates equipment necessary for maintenance of water/sewer/gas infrastructure, which includes back-hoes, rubber-tire loaders, large dump trucks, vacuum trucks, jet wash trucks and related equipment.

• Performs maintenance on various utilities equipment/parts including hydrants, valves, water mains, taps, and sewer mainlines; operates a variety of equipment, controls, valves, and pumps, implementing adjustments as appropriate based on output and performance readings; installs and repairs equipment.

• Performs daily inspections and maintenance on heavy equipment, dump trucks, trailers, and various other equipment such as greasing, belt adjustment, flu levels and system flushing.

• Locates underground utilities in cases of excavation.

• Sets up traffic safety controls around work area and is responsible for ensuring the safety of coworkers and the public following all safety practices and procedures.

• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

• Performs other related work as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Utilities Equipment Operator II):   (these duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)

• Operates equipment necessary for maintenance of water/sewer/gas infrastructure, which includes back-hoes, rubber-tire loaders, large dump trucks, vacuum trucks, jet wash trucks and related equipment.

• Coordinates utilities equipment operator activities, which may include preparing materials and equipment for jobs, prioritizing and assigning work and ensuring compliance with internal and external standards and regulations.

• Performs daily inspections and maintenance on heavy equipment, dump trucks, trailers, and various other equipment such as greasing, belt adjustment, fluid levels and system flushing.

• Performs slope excavations and understands line standards required by OSHA for employee entry into trenches where line excavation is required.

• Establishes layout and sets up traffic safety controls around work area. Responsible for ensuring the safety of employees and the public following all safety practices and procedures. Cuts and repairs various types of paving.

• Performs maintenance on various utilities equipment/parts including hydrants, valves, water mains, taps, and sewer mainlines; operates a variety of equipment, controls, valves, and pumps, implementing adjustments as appropriate based on output and performance readings; installs and repairs equipment.

• Locates underground utilities in cases of excavation.

• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

• Performs other related work as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (Utilities Equipment Operator I)  (positions in this class typically require):

• High school graduate or equivalent.

• One (1) year of experience operating heavy construction equipment, vacuum trucks, jet wash trucks and related equipment

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the job's essential duties.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS(positions in this class typically require):

• Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of Tennessee.

• Natural Gas Operator Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE( Utilities Equipment Operator II): (positions in this class typically require):

• High school graduate or equivalent.

• One (1) year of experience operating heavy construction equipment, vacuum trucks, jet wash trucks and related equipment.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the job's essential duties.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS: (positions in this class typically require): 

• Position may require either Class D Driver's License or Class A Commercial Driver's License issued by the State of Tennessee.

• Position typically requires one of the following:

• TN Grade 2 Water Distribution Systems Operator Certification

• TN Grade 2 Wastewater Collection Systems Operator Certification

• Three years of experience in water distribution/wastewater collection construction (in lieu of one Certification)

• Natural Gas Operator Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (Utilities Equipment Operator I): (positions in this class typically require):

Knowledge of:

• Methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in constructing, maintaining, and repairing City utilities systems.

• Manual labor.

• Safe work methods.

Skill in:

• Utilizing applicable tools and equipment.

• Performing routine maintenance and repair functions on equipment and facilities;

• Performing manual labor.

• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (Utilities Equipment Operator II): (positions in this class typically require):

Knowledge of:

• Methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in constructing, maintaining, and repairing City utilities systems.

• Project coordination techniques.

• Manual labor.

• Safe work methods.

Skill in:

• Utilizing applicable tools and equipment.

• Coordinating projects.

• Prioritizing and assigning work.

• Performing routine maintenance and repair functions on equipment and facilities.

• Performing manual labor.

• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisor, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (are the same for both positions) :

The work is heavy work which requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.

• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.

• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination sound.

• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. It occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

• Mental Acuity: Making rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.

• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something steady to thrust forward, downward, or outward.

• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.

• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.

• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.

• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. It occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.

• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

• Visual ability 1: sufficient to perform an activity like preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading.

• Visual ability 2: sufficient to include color, depth perception, and field vision.

• Visual ability 3: sufficient to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures.

• Visual ability 4: sufficient to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment, both day and night.

• Visual ability 5: sufficient to perform an activity such as: visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines; using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.

• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or move from one work site to another.

NOTE:

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.