Description

Under general supervision, the principal responsibility of the Distribution/Collection Crew Member will be to effectively perform duties related to the repair, maintenance, modification and construction of the Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems while maintaining productivity in those respective areas without compromising safety or quality. Aspects will include acquiring knowledge of and apply TCEQ rules and regulations pertaining to the water and wastewater fields through involvement in a continuing education program that includes accredited schools and monthly TWUA meetings, gaining knowledge of State and Federal laws and standards related to trenching, excavation and competent person procedures, working closely with the Equipment Operator to spot and locate underground water, sewer, gas, electric, telephone and cable lines to prevent damage or outages, continually seeking ways to improve existing standards of safety through training and job knowledge and participating in a preventive maintenance program for assigned tools, vehicles and equipment that helps to ensure a safe work environment, providing courteous, prompt, knowledgeable and professional service to customers and helping to maintain a public relations program that is proactive by design, assisting the Crew Chief with assigned office and field work and, during the Crew Chief's absence, assuming basic technical and functional responsibilities, communicating with the Crew Chief concerning problems or requests in areas of public or employee relations, maintenance or construction projects, completing daily work orders and reports related to materials, man-hours and equipment in an accurate and timely manner, participating in a cross-training program relative to all aspects of the Distribution and Collection Departments, being regular in attendance and consistently on time for each shift, participating in the on-call rotation and being available to work after normal hours of operation and during emergencies, maintaining a good personal appearance that reflects favorably on the City as a whole and, to the best of their ability, working in cooperation with others to help provide a safe, efficient and harmonious work environment. Must be able to bend, stoop, climb in and out of excavation sites several times a day, and also to be able to walk several miles a day.

Examples of Duties

A general knowledge of construction and plumbing practices is imperative as the repair, maintenance, construction and modification of the Distribution and Collections Systems is necessary on a daily basis. This will include, but is not limited to, small and large main, valve and hydrant, service line, meter, and manhole repairs or replacements in both the Distribution and Collection Systems. One of the most important as well as most difficult aspects of the Distribution/Collection Crew Member's responsibilities is, after an outage, to promptly restore water and/or wastewater service for residential, commercial and industrial customers while ensuring repair costs are kept to a minimum without compromising safety or quality.

Qualifications

• Ability to follow oral / written directions
• Must possess a High School diploma or GED
• Possess a Valid Texas Driver's License
• Some construction experience preferred such as plumbing, concrete work and be familiar with heavy equipment
• Must be able to work safely around trenching and excavation sites and in small confined areas.
• Experience with hand tools, power tools, jack hammers, gas power cut off saws
• Must be able to be involved on a call-out rotation once per month and in addition work overtime and on weekends on short notice
• Maintenance and operations performed in excavation area with potable and non-potable water and waste water effluent (raw sewage)
• Must be able to work outside in extreme hot, cold, or wet weather

Knowledge

Gaining knowledge of and a plying TCEQ rules and regulations that govern the Water and Wastewater industries is of utmost importance, as the safety and health of the public depends on that training. These rules and regulations may include, but certainly are not limited to, bacteriological sampling, disinfection procedures for water mains and cross connection control. In addition, the employee will be expected to gain knowledge of and abide by State and Federal laws and standards pertaining to trenching, excavation and competent person procedures as well as notifying the proper utilities of excavation sites and ensuring all lines have been located before excavation begins. Because trenching and excavation occurs on a daily basis in the Distribution and Collection Departments, working closely with the Equipment Operator to spot and locate underground water, sewer, gas, electric, telephone and cable lines to prevent damage or outages is also a vital part of the Crew Member's daily duties. Also, at the discretion of the Director, the Crew Member will be trained to safely operate a backhoe, trenching machine or other equipment used in the daily operations of the Distribution and Collection Departments. Acquiring knowledge of confined space entry as well as hazardous material training is also desired. The employee will also be required to learn to safely and efficiently operate the sewer machine that is used to clear blockages in the Collection System. The majority of the employee's knowledge in these areas will be provided through a continuing education program from accredited schools and courses, through monthly TWUA meetings, through periodic safety meetings and seminars conducted by other regulatory agencies or by the Director and other employees of the Distribution/Collection Department and through magazines, periodicals or other literature that the City and/or employee receives related to the Water and Wastewater fields. The position of Crew Member is very demanding, as it requires the employee to exercise independent judgment and understand and carry out written or oral instructions under general supervision, work under extreme pressure especially during outages and follow established rules and regulations concerning repair and maintenance procedures, construction projects and public relations as well as the vital need to continually provide the safest working conditions possible for employees and the general public.