Maintenance Worker 1 job in Bellingham

POSITION PURPOSE:

Performs a variety of maintenance and operations duties in all phases of the District’s water distribution system, wastewater collection systems, water treatment plants, and reservoirs.  Incumbents perform manual labor in supervised repairs including maintenance, inspection, installation, meter reading and adjustment of all water distribution and sewer collection system components.  Works as part of an assigned crew and may receive specialized assignments as technical skills are gained. 

This position is an entry level position to the District’s Maintenance Worker II position.  Incumbents are expected to meet all necessary performance and certification requirements and be eligible for promotion to the Maintenance Worker II Position within two years of employment.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to the Operations and Maintenance Manager who assigns and evaluates work.  May also receive work assignments, training and direction from Maintenance Worker Lead.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  include but are not limited to the following:

• Installs, services, and repairs the District’s water and sewer facilities; repairs water and sewer line leaks; flushes water systems; operates vacuum jetting truck to clean out manholes and plugged sewers; installs valves; sets meters; services, installs, and repairs hydrants; taps water and sewer mains for new connections and cut ins for new water mainline construction; maintains and repairs water and sewer lines, lift and pump stations and other District-owned buildings and property; restores work areas to original condition.
• Assists Utility Support Specialist as needed in performing a variety of meter reading duties including accurately read and record meter readings using the handheld meter reading devices; maintains meters to ensure accurate registration and ease of reading; identifies leaking, hard to read, or broken meters and repairs or replaces them; turns water services on and off and verifies meter readings.
• Performs accurate pressure checks; calculates water volumes, velocities, and distances.
• Responds to on-site inquiries and talks with property owners and contractors regarding work being performed and the impact that the work may have on their property.
• Operates, services, and maintains a variety of heavy equipment, and small equipment and tools used to repair water and sewer facilities.
• Accurately completes work orders according to time and materials specifications, daily work reports, recording time, labor, materials, and equipment requirements and works with supervisory personnel to perform final inspections of projects.
• Identifies and locates the District's water and sewer utilities as requested.
• Assists in inspecting side sewers, new connections and other field checks. 
• Checks for hazardous conditions and sets up barricades, warning signs, and other public safety devices and controls traffic by flagging.
• Responsible for following all State, Federal, and District safety regulations.
• After satisfactory training, works “on-call/standby” rotation when required.
• Performs minor building maintenance and repairs such as carpentry, painting, and plumbing.
• Performs other related duties and/or special projects as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Landscaping and grounds maintenance equipment, basic hand tools and small power tools.

Ability to:

• Follow safety rules and regulations;
• Work in confined spaces;
• Learn trenching and shoring regulations, procedures and practices;
• Learn and understand standards and regulations used in the installation of water and sewer systems;
• Operate construction equipment such as backhoes, jetting and vacuum truck, jackhammers, and cut-off saws;
• Operate hand tools;
• Use computers, automated time and attendance and work order systems;
• Read blueprints, as-built sketches and maps;
• Communicate and apply applicable interpersonal skills in interactions with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Experience/Education:Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the job.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years experience in the electrical, mechanical, construction or industrial trades is desired, but not required.

Education: High School Diploma or GED.

Licensing/Certification Requirements

• Valid Washington State Driver’s License at time of employment.

Within six months of employment possess and obtain:

• Washington State Flagging/Traffic Control Card
• Washington State First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Automated External Defibrillator Card.

Within one year of employment possess and obtain:

• Washington State Commercial Driver’s License
• Water Treatment Plant Operator-in-Training Certification

Within two years of employment possess and obtain:

• Water Distribution Manager I Certification
• Cross Connection Control Specialist Certification.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily outdoors where there is exposure to varying weather conditions, automobile traffic, hazards from operating various power tools and equipment, loud noises and noxious fumes.  The work involves exposure to various risks, including: working around equipment: potential contact with domestic and wastewater, working in confined spaces, and in close proximity to roadway traffic, which requires employees to use protective clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus, and other safety equipment, and follow established safety procedures.  Work requires travel to various work sites throughout the District.  Incumbents are subject to 24-hour on-call/standby as assigned, and subject to 24-hour call-back to resolve customer problems and/or perform emergency maintenance and repair after normal working hours on nights, weekends, and holidays.

Work is performed using equipment such as a sewer vactor truck, dump truck, air compressor, hole hog, backhoe, and pickup truck, and a variety of power and hand tools such as wrenches, shovels, drills, saws, and specialized equipment such as video inspection camera, air monitoring meters and confined space entry gear.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position typically requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, sitting, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, smelling and repetitive motions for an entire day.

Very heavy work:  Exerting in excess of 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.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and may be changed or amended at any time to meet the needs of the District.