Crew Chief (Valve Replacement Division)

Meet Santa Margarita Water District 

Santa Margarita Water District is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering high-quality potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to its 200,000 customers across Southern Orange County. As one of the region’s largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship. 

Our people drive our progress, innovation, and results. Our collaborative, human-first culture fosters the sense of fun, comradery, and a rewarding sense of purpose as we do work that matters. 

Dynamic teams of intelligent individuals work collaboratively to achieve SMWD’s goals and solve challenges with a common aim that fosters a unique bond that is not often found in governmental agencies. 

 

Santa Margarita Water District’s values include: 

• Exemplary service excellence 
• Intelligent innovation that is forward-thinking and adaptive 
• Ethical fiscal responsibility and transparency 
• Environmental and resource stewardship 
• Employee development and leadership training 
• Building relationships that strengthen communities 

Lead the Way as a Crew Chief at Santa Margarita Water District!

Are you a skilled leader ready to take on a critical role in managing and maintaining vital infrastructure? Santa Margarita Water District, a trailblazer in providing innovative water and wastewater services, is hiring a Crew Chief to join our team and help shape the future of water management in Southern California.

Why Santa Margarita Water District? At SMWD, we are committed to fostering a supportive and growth-focused environment for our employees. We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology. Join a team that values collaboration, safety, and innovation, all while making a difference in the lives of our community.

About the Role As a Crew Chief, you’ll lead and supervise a dedicated team in the maintenance, repair, and construction of critical water and wastewater infrastructure. This role is an excellent opportunity to showcase your leadership skills, grow in the water industry, and make a tangible impact by ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of services to our customers.

Be Part of Something Bigger Take the next step in your career and join an organization that invests in its people and the community. Help us drive industry excellence and deliver essential services that benefit generations to come.

Apply today to join the Santa Margarita Water District team as our new Crew Chief!

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed by individual positions.

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision, leads and participates in the work of employees engaged in the installation, maintenance, repair, operation and testing of water distribution and wastewater systems including pipelines, mains, valves, hydrants, meters, lift stations and water stations.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

An Operations Crew Chief is the advanced journey and working lead-level classification in the Operations Department. In addition to performing the full range of journey-level and advanced skilled duties, incumbents serve as the working lead person of other journey level maintenance and technical personnel, coordinating and overseeing their work and providing guidance and training as they carry out construction, maintenance and repair duties for the District’s distribution system, collection system, equipment and facilities. Work requires an in-depth understanding of the District’s distribution system design, operations and best maintenance practices and involves significant accountability for ensuring stable, dependable water delivery to District customers in compliance with regulatory requirements. 

This position typically reports to the Operations Superintendent or on certain crews the Foreman and provides lead work direction to skilled and unskilled maintenance staff. Operations Crew Chief is distinguished from Operations Superintendent or Foreman in that an incumbent in the latter class has full supervisory responsibilities and more complex maintenance planning and administrative duties over more than one unit or crew.

Essential Functions:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS 

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

 

1. Leads, provides work guidance and direction and participates in the work of crew members; participates in scheduling, assigning and monitoring work of other employees for completeness, accuracy and conformance with District and departmental standards; provides information, instruction and training on work processes, proper uses of equipment and safe work practices; provides input to supervisor on employee work performance and behaviors; estimates personnel, equipment and material requirements for assigned jobs; may order work materials and supplies; assists in ensuring a fair and open work environment in accordance with the District’s commitment to teamwork, mutual trust and respect.
2. Schedules, monitors and participates in the day-to-day work of an assigned crew engaged in the construction, mechanical, electrical and/or maintenance activities; identifies abnormally operating equipment and uses advanced troubleshooting methods and skills to diagnose, analyze and ensure that the required repairs are made; assigns and personally performs installation, preventative maintenance and repair work on pipelines, valves, hydrants meter services, fire hydrants, collection system, electrical and telemetry equipment, electric motors and controls, and other appurtenances and equipment; operates construction equipment as necessary.
3. Reviews, prioritizes, assigns and groups pending work orders to achieve timely completion, minimize impacts on customers and make effective use of staff resources; reviews plans and lays out jobs in collaboration with the Operations Supervisor; estimates and orders required pipe, fittings, parts, materials and supplies; ensures required permits have been obtained for work; monitors work of contractors and employees to ensure timely comple­tion of maintenance and repair projects and work orders in accordance with department work and safety standards; assists with field inspections of work in progress and at completion.
4. Prepares and maintains detailed documentation and work records, including data on facilities, asset number and location system, detail of failures, descriptions of work performed, as-built sketches and drawings; maintains maintenance and work records and requests including work order tracking and lockout/tagout records; requi­sitions necessary tools, equipment and supplies; schedules and coordinates activities with other sections and depart­ments.
5. Ensures adherence to safety procedures and safe work practices; oversees and ensures crews carry out assigned duties and responsibilities with careful attention to District and all other applicable safety and traffic regulations.
6. Operates or oversees the operation of a variety of light to heavy duty trucks and equipment and a wide variety of other hand and power equipment; checks pre-operating condition of vehicles and equipment to ensure proper and safe working condition; ensures proper loading and unloading of tools and equipment; cleans and maintains tools and equipment.
7. Coordinates work with other agencies, divisions and departments; responds to questions and complaints from the public and other agencies; responds to customer calls, troubleshoots problems related to water pressure, quality, flow, plumbing, billing, sewer lateral connections, sewer back ups, and other general customer service concerns.
8. Responds to emergency situations during off-hours as required; participates in standby duties at the sole discretion of the District.
9. Acts in the absence of Operation Superintendent or Foreman as assigned.
10. Assists other crews and performs related duties and responsibilities as required. 
11. Operate a vehicle and a variety of hand tools and test equipment related to the work.
12. Operates vehicles in performing assignments; ensures assigned vehicle is checked for proper fuel and fluid levels; inspects and fuels vehicle; reports any inoperable deficiencies through daily trip logs. 
13. Observes safe work methods and safety practices related to work; cones and flags work sites to secure from traffic; shores trenches; uses appropriate safety equipment; operates and maintains a wide variety of hand tools related to the work, including spaders, tampers, breaking guns, jackhammers, concrete saws, etc.; learns to operate a variety of trucks and equipment; inspects vehicles and performs minor maintenance, reports needed repairs.
14. Operates District vehicles (commercial, heavy duty, forklifts, backhoes, trucks or similar) to assist field crews at job sites; transfers equipment, debris, and/or construction materials from one location to another in support of a project or job.

Requisite Abilities/Qualifications & Guidelines:

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education, Training and Experience: 

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent and five years of progressively responsible experi­ence in journey level skilled maintenance of a facilities typically associated with District infrastructure; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience in a public agency is preferred. 

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

 Water Crew Position  RequirementPrerequisitesCollectionsCrew ChiefD3 C3 (C4 preferred)  C2 C1 D2 D1 Class A/B Streets  Crew ChiefD3 (D4 preferred)   D2 D1 Class AValve Replacement Crew ChiefD3 (D4 preferred)   D2 D1 Class AValve & Hydrant Crew ChiefD3 (D4 preferred)  T1 D2 D1 Mechanical   Crew ChiefD3 M3 C1   M2 M1 D2 D1Water Stations/SystemsCrew ChiefD4 T2  T1 D3 D2 D1

Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid California Class C driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance program.

Annual certification for CPR, First Aid, Confined-Space Entry and use of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) per OSHA requirements are required.

Knowledge of: 

1. Methods and techniques in the construction, repair and maintenance of distribution and trans-mission mains, service lines, valves and other devices and appurtenances, including uses and operations of applicable equipment and tools.
2. Trenching and shoring methods and techniques.
3. Pipe materials, fittings and pipefitting tools and methods.
4. Water mathematics. 
5. Methods for the safe operation of light, medium and heavy-duty motorized power equipment, including water trucks, backhoes, skip loaders, forklifts and sewer cleaning equipment.
6. Traffic control practices and requirements.
7. Methods and procedures used in pulling and repairing large gate valves and other pipeline equipment.
8. Safe Drinking Water Act, Title 22 of California’s Water Recycling Criteria and other relevant local, state and federal law and regulations.
9. Upholds and enforces the districts Safety policies, procedures and safe work practices applicable to assignment including OSHA regula­tions, confined-space entry, lockout/tagout procedures and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E arc flash safety.
10. Principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
11. Records management, recordkeeping, filing and basic purchasing practices and procedures. 
12. Uses and operations of computers, standard business software and specialized database and spread­sheet applications.
13. District policies, procedures and practices regarding area of assignment.
14. Basic principles and practices of employee supervision.
15. Basic knowledge of District human resources policies and labor contract provisions. 
16. When assigned to Lifts and Stations, Crew Chief may need knowledge regarding pump operation.

Ability to: 

1. Assign and inspect the work of employees engaged in the skilled maintenance and operation of the District’s facilities, equipment and systems.
2. Provide technical expertise and perform advanced maintenance tasks in the skilled maintenance trades.
3. Understand, interpret, explain and apply law, regulations, work procedures and standards applic­able to repair, maintenance and installation of District infrastructure 
4. Reach sound decisions in accordance with District policies and procedures.
5. Prepare clear, concise and accurate specifications, documentation, reports of work performed, project management reports and other written materials.
6. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 
7. Operate a computer, standard business software and a variety of computer software programs and databases related to area of assignment.
8. Represent the District effectively in dealings with customers and contractors.
9. Be medically authorized to be fitted for and wear a respirator. 
10. Use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations and concerned people.
11. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.
12. Safely operate a District vehicle on city streets and freeways. 
13. Safely operate heavy construction and commercial vehicles.

Additional Information:

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS 

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Physical Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists; climb or balance on ladders or stairs; stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, crouch or crawl; and able to detect odors. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 50 pounds and frequently up to 100 pounds with assistance.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, use of both eyes, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus. 

Employees in this class may be periodically required to wear Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). In accordance with OSHA regu­la­tions, employees are prohibited from having facial or head hair that impairs the effec­tiveness of respirator equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable indivi­duals with disabili­ties to perform essential duties of the class as they relate to this require­ment.

Mental Demands 

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses shop math; learns and applies new information and skills; responds to emergency situations; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee works in a shop and field environment where the noise level is usually moderate. The employee works in outdoor weather conditions; extreme heat or cold; wet, humid conditions; in confined spaces; on ladders/scaffolding or in high, precarious places; on uneven or slippery surfaces; near mov­ing mechanical parts; near moving equipment; and near heavy traffic. The employee is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and biological hazards. The employee is occasionally exposed to loud or prolonged noise and equipment with heavy vibrations. The employee may be at risk of electrical shock.

The employee may be required to work various shifts and standby at night, on weekends and holidays as needed.