Utility Worker I/II

About the role

The Engineering and Operations Department of the Sweetwater Authority seeks individuals to assist in the installation, maintenance, and repair of potable water distribution systems.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the installation, maintenance, and repair of potable water distribution systems including: water main repair, replacement, flushing, disinfecting, testing, pipe cutting, and line tapping; service, hydrant, and valve installation, replacement, and exercising.
• Assist in the break up and removal of old concrete and asphalt; load, unload, and haul materials and equipment; clean up job sites; cut and cover trenches; install and remove meter boxes, clean up debris and weeds around meter boxes; build rough forms, mix and pour concrete; lay asphalt, and perform other related activities.
• Locate and mark out existing Authority facilities and appurtenances. Control and direct traffic; place and remove cones, barricades and signs; clean up at job sites; perform other related activities.
• Complete a variety of paperwork, including work order and service papers. Maintain records and draw intersection maps to show location of utility structures.
• Operate large trucks and construction equipment such as loaders, backhoes, dump trucks, valve operating trucks and trenching machines.
• Perform standby duty as assigned, at intervals of one (1) week period of time to provide emergency service on a twenty-four (24) hour a day basis; respond to emergencies as required on an "on-call" basis within 30 minutes.
• Contact other departments or other agencies regarding utility locations. Excavate and cover trenches, and install shoring.
• Use computers to access facility maps and information.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, customers, vendors, Board members, and the public.

Requirements

• Knowledge of methods, materials, practices, and tools required for pipe, main, service and meter installations and repair.
• Practices and principles of disinfecting water facilities.
• Safety work practices and procedures.
• Occupational, public health, and safety hazards as related to the trade.
• Modern office procedures and practices, equipment, and clerical techniques.
• Computer programs and software, such as Microsoft Office.
• Proper English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Learn to use, operate, repair, and maintain a variety of construction equipment and tools used in the installation and repair of water facilities and surface improvements.
• Read, understand, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Perform heavy physical labor under varying weather conditions.
• Work under emergency conditions day or night when called any time during a 24-hour period.
• Maintain records accurately and write legibly.
• Operate a computer and related software applications.
• Keyboard proficiently.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Use interpersonal skills effectively as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade and some related work experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying.

Skills

• Ability to learn to use, operate, repair, and maintain a variety of construction equipment and tools used in the installation and repair of water facilities and surface improvements.

Benefits

• Health insurance: Option of Cigna HMO's or Kaiser HMO for all full time employees and their dependents; employees share in a portion of the cost, not to exceed $35 per pay period.
• Vision, dental, and orthodontic insurance: Premiums 100% paid by the Authority for employees and dependents.
• Life insurance: Premiums 100% paid by the Authority for the employee.
• Optional dependent life insurance is offered at the employee's expense.
• Retirement: Membership in California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) with the retirement formula of 2.5% @ 55 for existing "classic" members and 2% @ 62 for "new" members. The Authority will contribute the equivalence of 24 hours of the employee's hourly rate into PARS 401(a) each fiscal year.
• Deferred compensation: Authority-matched employee contributions to a qualified 457 (Lincoln, National, and CalPERS) plan up to $1,300 made to the employee's 401(a) (PARS) plan.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): PTO is provided in lieu of traditional vacation and sick leave benefits. PTO is accrued based on years of service, beginning at 18 work days per year up to a maximum of 35 days. 48 hours of "floating" holidays to use each year.
• Retiree Healthcare: At age 55 with 15 years of service the Authority pays $700/month. The amount the Authority pays is prorated for 10-15 years of service. Employees who retire between ages 50-54 with 10 or more years of service will receive 50% of the benefit amount. Payments cease after 10 years or upon reaching Medicare-eligible age.

Pay

Salary range for this position is TBD.

Schedule

Flex Schedule: Monday through Thursday 6:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (9/80); Friday 6:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M., and every other Friday off or, as assigned by the supervisor.