Water Technician

Description

Water Technician Hourly Pay: $16.85

Schedule:

Days: Monday - Thursday

Hours - 7:00am - 5:00pm

Summary Description:         Under immediate or general supervision, performs maintenance, repair, and construction work on the water distribution system and sanitary sewer system; operates maintenance and various construction equipment and tools; performs a variety of maintenance tasks relative to water distribution and sanitary sewer systems. Takes readings of water usage for all residential and commercial water system customers in the City of Artesia and repairs and maintains meters as necessary.

Essential Functions:  (Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may vary among positions, but may include the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in the classifications.)

Tasks:            

• Reads meters of all residential / commercial water system customers to determine the amount of water use for which the customers will be billed.
• Repairs or replaces non- working meters.
• Answers customer inquiries / complaints regarding water usage and general water system operations.
• Make minor adjustments on service equipment; maintain tools and equipment in working order.
• Maintain logs of daily activity.
• Operate and maintain wells / clean and monitor pump stations.
• Landscaping as needed.
• Lay and fit pipelines; make water line taps; install water services, fire hydrants, valves, and other water devices.
• Perform field duties related to the water system; take water samples and inspect new construction.
• Excavate trenches and install shoring.
• Identify service and main leaks; operate pipe locators to locate underground pipe per New Mexico One Call requirements.
• Perform emergency repairs to water lines as necessary; establish proper traffic control devices.
• Maintain, repair and clean out the City’s sewer lines.
• Participates in routine maintenance activities such as system flushing, valve exercising and fire hydrant maintenance.
• Operates city vehicles and equipment according to established safety procedures and policies.
• Perform related duties as required or assigned

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills and Other Characteristics:

• Knowledge of water meter locations for all residential and commercial water system customers in the City of Artesia.
• Ability to operate computerized meter reading equipment.
• Knowledge of procedures, tools and equipment used to remove and install water meters and associated valves and meter boxes.
• Knowledge of water meter repair techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of water meter calibration, procedures and equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff and the public.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, procedures and guidelines.
• Ability to safely use hand / power tools, clamps, valves and other water / sewer line equipment.
• Work effectively independently and as a member of a crew.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience in maintenance of mechanical equipment.
• Experience in operating light equipment.
• Experience equivalent to one (1) year full-time mechanical/plumbing/maintenance and repair work preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico driver’s license.
• Must obtain a State of New Mexico Water Operator I license within 18 months of date of hire.
• Must obtain a State of New Mexico Water Operator II license within five years of date of hire.
• Must obtain a State of New Mexico Water Operator III license within six years from date of hire.
• Must obtain a State of New Mexico Water Operator IIII license within nine years from date of hire.
• Must be able to respond to emergencies within 15 minutes when on call. 

Physical Functions:

• Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds occasionally (i.e. up to one third of work day), from ground to waste level.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds frequently to constantly (i.e. from one-third up to entire work day), from ground to shoulder level.
• Ability to sit up for four hours at one time and up to eight hours total per day.
• Ability to stand and/or walk for up to four hours at one time, and up to eight hours total per day.
• Ability to climb in and out of equipment cabs when needed to assist crew in performance of duties.
• Must be able to crouch, kneel and remain in a prone position for up to 30 minutes at one time.
• Must be able to bend at the waist and twist/rotate as necessary.
• Must be able to work with arms bent or extended for up to four hours at one time, and up to eight hours total per day.
• Must be able to push/pull with arms, with a force up to five pounds for up to four hours at one time and up to eight hours total per day.
• Must be able to maintain balance while climbing in and out of equipment cabs and while lifting and/or carrying heavy objects.
• Must be able to properly and safely use a ladder.
• Must be able to push with legs up to 40 pounds of force, to operate foot controls of heavy equipment for up to four hours at one time and up to eight hours total per day.
• Must be able to twist/rotate legs and feet at times in order to operate foot controls.
• Must be able to use hands and fingers to grasp/manipulate levers and steering wheel in a bilaterally coordinated manner.
• Must be able to coordinate use of hands and eyes in operation of vehicles, heavy equipment and other tools as needed.
• Must be able to communicate in English using standard and cellular telephones and VHF radios.

Working Conditions:

• Work is sometimes done alone and sometimes with a group, sometimes with, but usually without directions.
• Work is primarily outside which includes working in all weather conditions, there can be exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, and gases, mechanical and electrical hazards.
• Work can be in or around water, slippery/uneven surfaces and rough terrain.
• Work is sometimes done after hours, Holidays and weekends. Must be able to respond in emergency after hours.

Equipment, Tools and Materials:

• Meter reading tools.
• City vehicle.
• Hand tools.
• Meter calibration tools.
• Hand/power tools, clamps, valves and other water/sewer line equipment.
• Backhoe.
• Sewer cleaning equipment.
• Computer.
• VHF radio.
• Cell phone.
• Lubricants, cleaning solvents.
• Pumps.

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