Water Crew Leader

Leads, schedules, trains, and participates in the work activities of staff engaged in installing, replacing, repairing, and maintaining the City’s water distribution system including water mains, main valves, pipes, fittings, meters, fire hydrants, and related water system components.

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises technical and functional direction and provides training to lower-level staff.

Representative Duties:

Participates in the work of and serves in a lead capacity overseeing a crew engaged in installing, replacing, repairing, and maintaining the City’s water distribution system including water mains, main valves, pipes, fittings, meters, fire hydrants, and related water system components.

Reviews the work of assigned employees and provides input to employee performance evaluations; reviews employee timecards.

 

Participates and directs crew members operating various light to heavy equipment, including backhoes, hydraulic stompers, tampers, and crane trucks, to dig trenches and lay heavy pipes and fittings, break pavement, and remove concrete and asphalt; inspects trenches for safety, proper compaction, and compliance with City codes.

 

Directs crews in the placement of safety barricades, delineators, and cones to designate job sites and direct traffic; ensures proper safety procedures are followed.

 

Inspects water mains and valves and recommends equipment changes or replacements.

 

Locates and marks underground utilities; measures and determines proper location for installing water mains and services.

 

Taps water main for the installation of new services; conducts fire hydrant flow tests; flushes and chlorinates new water mains and takes water samples for bacteriological test.

 

Investigates water leaks and repairs water mains and fire hydrants; flushes and takes samples at dead end mains to ensure the safety of the water supply.

 

Reads and interprets water system maps to determine location of different pressure zones and related valves and pressure regulators; reads and interprets blueprints, standards, specifications, construction drawings, and related technical documentation for water main and service installations; prepares drawings of completed water main installation projects.

 

Makes recommendations for scheduling water shutdowns and notifies affected consumers and City departments.

 

Prepares and maintains logs, records, and reports of construction, maintenance, and repair activities performed; performs data entry including creating, opening, closing, and updating of work orders; completes general liability and damage reports.

 

Monitors and takes inventory of supplies and materials; makes recommendations for the purchase of materials and equipment.

 

Performs emergency work on water main breaks and related emergencies; assists with temporary and emergency water shutdowns.

 

Utilizes proper safety precautions related to all work performed and performs work in a safe manner following all City and applicable safety regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.

 

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Knowledge of:

Basic supervisory techniques

Principles of staff training and coordination

Principles, practices, and techniques required for installing, maintaining, and repairing facilities found in water distribution systems

Excavation and backfilling principles, practices, and techniques

Principles, practices, techniques, equipment, and tools used in heavy construction and excavation including backhoes, hydraulic stompers, tampers, and crane trucks

Plumbing and piping principles

Principles and procedures of water flushing, water main chlorination, and collection of samples

Operational characteristics, use of, and maintenance requirements of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles, and light to heavy power equipment required for the work

Traffic control procedures and traffic sign regulations

Occupational hazards and standard safety procedures related to the work

Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility

Principles of basic mathematics

Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed

Principles of customer service

Ability to:

Plan, assign, and review the work of assigned crew members

Inspect the work of others and maintain established quality control standards

Identify and implement effective course of action to complete assigned work 

Direct and perform a variety of tasks in the installation, repair, and maintenance of water distribution systems and facilities

Safely and effectively use and operate various tools, equipment, vehicles, and light to heavy equipment including backhoes, hydraulic stompers, tampers, and crane trucks

Break and remove concrete and asphalt

Excavate and backfill trenches

Flush and chlorinate water mains

Collect water samples for bacteriological tests

Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities

Read and interpret maps, schematics, drawings, diagrams, blueprints, and related technical documents

Prepare as-built drawings

Work safely and adhere to principles of safety when working near traffic or in other environments

Maintain accurate logs, records, work orders, and written records of work performed

Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed

Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Effectively use computer systems, standard office productivity and presentation software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks

Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Work with persons from diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds as well as a variety of work styles, personalities, and approaches

Provide effective customer service

 

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications: 

Education: Graduation from high school or the equivalent.

 

Experience: Five years of recent, paid work experience performing heavy construction work involving plumbing or water distribution systems, including three years of operating heavy water construction equipment.

 

Licenses and Certifications:

Possession of valid Class C driver license to be maintained throughout employment.

Possession of, or successfully obtain within 6 months from date of employment, a valid Class A or Class B California driver’s license to be maintained throughout employment.

Possession of, or successfully obtain within 6 months from date of hire, a forklift operator’s certificate to be maintained throughout employment.

A Grade D3 Water Distribution Operator Certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board required at time of application and maintained until a D4 certification is obtained. A Grade D4 Water Distribution Operator Certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board must be obtained within eighteen months of employment and maintained throughout employment.  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is generally performed outside in seasonal climate and variable weather conditions. Outdoor work requires exposure to slippery surfaces, cramped positions, moving objects, vibrations, noise, odors, dust, dirt and oils. Exposure to high voltage and chemicals may be encountered. Some tasks may require the use of respiratory protection. Responding to emergency situations, working irregular hours, and/or serving on standby duty may be required. Physical demands include constant arm and leg movement, lifting, bending, reaching and carrying heavy and large objects.