Job Description

SENIOR UTILITY TECHNICIAN

JOB CODE 53030

Effective Date:	10/07A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to lead and direct crews engaged in a variety of construction activities involving the installation, maintenance, and repair of the water distribution system (water mains, fire hydrants, and valves) or a variety of construction activities involving installation and repair, or routine maintenance/cleaning activities of the wastewater collection system (gravity mains, force mains, manholes, pumps and metering stations). Incumbents may be required to perform duties in a specialized functional area in support of water distribution or wastewater collection activities.

Senior Utility Technicians lead construction crews and are responsible for ensuring that all safety procedures are followed. Incumbents must be knowledgeable of and be able to respond appropriately to the hazards associated with the excavation of trenches of varying depths and underground utilities. Incumbents must have a working knowledge of construction techniques and general trench safety procedures, including Competent Person and Confined Space Training, and the ability to operate a variety of tools and equipment. Job assignments are received through work orders and verbal instructions. Senior Utility Technicians have the responsibility for time management; carrying projects through to completion; resolving most problems with some independence; monitoring crew activities; and conducting and overseeing field training. The increased responsibility assumed with the leadership role of this classification distinguishes it from the Utility Technician classification. Instructions and general supervision are received from the Utility Foreman who reviews work by making job site visits or by reviewing reports.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Operates various water distribution system or wastewater collection system equipment such as backhoes, rock cutters, trenchers, boom trucks, rodders, dump trucks, water trucks, trailers, jet hydro-vacs, and easement machines;
• Operates power driven machinery such as jack hammers, tampers, power saws, or other equipment;
• Responsible for crew mobilization;
• Directs barricading and traffic control in accordance with traffic regulation requirements;
• Monitors crew activities to ensure that safety;
• Hand digs, excavates, shores, grades and backfills trenches;
• Notifies customers regarding interruption of service in a professional manner of pre and post work activities;
• Calculates and prepares production statistics and prepares electronic crew reports on labor and material used;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Water Distribution:

• Schedules, assigns, and leads the work of construction crews engaged in the maintenance, repair and installation activities regarding the water distribution system’s water main services, fire hydrants, and valves;
• Supervises the excavation, shoring, and backfilling of trenches and directs the operation of water main valves to shut down or re-open a section of water main;
• Ensures construction and trench safety procedures are followed when entering excavated sites, including Competent Person and Confined Space Entry;
• Ensures that water quality policies/procedures are followed;
• Operates backhoe and other various equipment.

Wastewater Collection:

• Schedules, assigns, leads and participates in the work of crews engaged in cleaning and rodding sewers or crews engaged in the repair activities (e.g., maintenance repair and installation regarding the wastewater collection system’s gravity mains, force mains, manholes, pumps and metering stations);
• Works with raw sewage and chemicals in the sewer system using only normal protective equipment;
• Operates hazardous gas monitoring equipment;
• Operates various equipment including rodders and jet hydro-vacs;
• Supervises the excavation, shoring, and backfilling of trenches;
• Ensures construction and trench safety procedures are followed when entering excavated sites, including Competent Person and Confined Space Entry;
• Operates tools such as jackhammers, saws, pipe cutters, leveling instruments, fresh air blowers/extractors.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Methods, materials, tools, equipment, and practices used in repairing, maintaining, and installing water or sewer mains and related fittings.
• The hazards inherent to the water distribution system or wastewater collection system’s maintenance work and safety measures required.
• The general water distribution system or wastewater collection system of the City of Phoenix.
• The use and care of hand tools and equipment used in the installation, maintenance, and repair of the water distribution system or the wastewater collection system.
• Hazardous materials associated with sewer maintenance work and safety.
• OSHA Confined Space Entry procedures and trench safety regulations.
• Backfilling, compaction, and pavement patching methods.

Skill in:

• Use and care of various tools and equipment used in the installation, maintenance, and repair of the water distribution system or the wastewater collection system.
• Methods and techniques of water or sewer repair, maintenance, and installation.

Ability to:

• Assign and direct the work of a crew.
• Work in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements.
• Read electronic and non-electronic quarter section maps, as-builts, and grade stakes in order to properly set grade.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions in the English language.
• Give oral instructions and provide observation opportunities for Utility Technicians and Trainees in an on- the-job training setting.
• Detect needed repairs.
• Make fine, highly controlled muscular movements to adjust the position of a control mechanism.
• Make fine, highly controlled manipulations of small objects.
• Coordinate the movement of more than one limb simultaneously.
• Lift arms above shoulder level.
• Work in small cramped areas.
• Climb ladders to enter or exit manholes or trenches.
• Bend or stoop repeatedly or continually over time.
• Travel across rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
• Operate tools and equipment such as jackhammers, saws, pipe cutters, leveling instruments, and fresh air blowers/extractors.
• Move heavy objects (50 pounds or more) short distances (20 feet or less).
• Move debris, dirt or other material from one place to another using a shovel, rake, or other tool.
• Set up and remove barricades, traffic cones, or similar objects.
• Dig up the ground for trenching using a pick, shovel, spade or other tools.
• Work cooperatively and communicate orally with co-workers, customers, or the public in a face-to-face one-to-one setting.
• Observe or monitor objects and people's behavior to determine compliance with prescribed operating or safety standards.
• Measure distance using a tape measure or other electronic measuring devices.
• Work with raw sewage and chemicals in the sewer system using personal protective equipment and use gas monitoring equipment (Wastewater Collection only).
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Work with chlorination and dechlorination chemicals in association with water main disinfection processes and environmental requirements.
• Produce written documents with clearly organized thought using proper English sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.

Additional Requirements:

• Possession of a Grade II Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Water Distribution or Wastewater Collection certification at time of hire.
• This classification requires the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• In addition, individuals are required to pass an Arizona Department of Transportation physical exam and possess the appropriate commercial driver's license (CDL).
• Pre-employment drug testing is required, and employees will be subject to unannounced alcohol and drug testing as a condition of continued employment.
• Some positions will require the performance of other essential functions depending upon work location, assignment, or shift.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Three years of experience within the water distribution system or wastewater collection system performing various activities involving installation, maintenance, and repairs (at the Utility Technician level or equivalent). Wastewater Collection incumbents must have verifiable experience in equipment operations (e.g., rodders, hydro-vactors). Water Distribution incumbents must have two years of verifiable experience operating a backhoe or documented proof of 120 hours of backhoe training. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements maybe substituted.