Utility Worker I

Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Locates, installs, maintains and repairs water distribution and wastewater collection lines with use of hand tools and heavy equipment (dump truck, backhoe, track loaders and steel wheel compactors).
• Operates power tools such as air impact wrenches, target saw to cut pipe and hydraulic jack hammer to break up concrete.
• Performs skilled duties using hand tools, e.g., picks, shovels, power tools, chain saws and eaters.
• Transports heavy equipment and materials to and from job sites.
• Performs general road maintenance including but not limited to mixing concrete, placing asphalt mix and sealing cracks; erecting fences, cleaning drainage ditches and collecting trash; cutting bushes, trimming trees and mowing grass; placing and collecting cones, flags and traffic signs and installing and/or repairing barricades, parking bumpers and guard rails.
• Inspects equipment and performs preventive maintenance or repairs as needed; refers complex equipment problems to supervisor.
• Aids meter readers with reading and recording water meters; installs, connects and disconnects meters.
• Confers with customers regarding service problems and reports feedback to supervisor.

Education & Experience

• Basic knowledge of maintenance and emergency repair.
• Proficient knowledge of methods, techniques and safety precautions involved in the operation of heavy and complex equipment.
• Proficient skills to produce finished quality maintenance repair with minimum rework.
• Ability to develop and maintain a positive working relationship with staff, co-workers, elected officials, supervisors, citizens, business and community groups.
• Basic understanding of problem solving and conflict management technique.
• Basic understanding of excellent customer relations practices.
• Basic skills to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using proper business English.
• Basic understanding of City safety rules and operating procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Valid Class "C" Driver's License.

Supplemental Information

• Work Environment/Physical Requirements: The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The incumbent performs work in both an indoor and outdoor environment with exposure to hazardous and unpleasant conditions in extreme temperatures including heat, cold, temperature swings and inclement weather; some exposure to dust, odor, electrical, mechanical, and toxic hazards. The incumbent may be required to walk through brush or entangled areas along creeks and other areas and in close proximity to high speed vehicle traffic.
• Required to work some nights and weekends, during extreme weather and/or emergency situations and to be on-call.

Benefits

• HEALTH: Choice of three medical plans to include a High Deductible Health Plan and two PPO plan options. Employee Only coverage on the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) / Health Savings Account (HSA) Plan will be paid 100% by the City.
• DENTAL: Employee Only premiums are paid at 100% by the City. Dependent coverage is available at the expense of the employee.
• VISION: Coverage is offered at the expense of the employee.
• BASIC LIFE/AD&D: The City provides each employee with a life insurance policy of $20,000, and covers spouses for $5,000 and dependent children for $2,000. Additional coverage may be purchased at the expense of the employee.
• MUTUAL OF OMAHA: Employees may elect to be covered under various supplemental policies at their own expense.
• DISCOVERY: Employees are eligible to open a flexible spending account (also known as a reimbursement account), which allows for pre-tax payroll deductions for certain types of unreimbursed medical, and/or dependent care expenses.
• RETIREMENT: TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM: Employees participate in a statewide retirement program at 6% mandatory contribution with the city match of 2:1. The program requires five (5) years to become vested, with 25 years retirement at any age. For more information contact TMRS at http://www.tmrs.org.
• ICMA-RC 457: This is an optional deferred compensation plan. Employees may contribute up to the IRS limit into this plan. For more information please visit https://www.icmarc.org.