Utilities Operator

Purpose of Position

Incumbent serves as Utilities Operator - Conveyance for the Utilities Department, responsible for maintaining/repairing wastewater treatment facilities and collection systems.

Essential Job Functions

Assists in performing labor and operating various vehicles, tools and equipment as part of a work crew in constructing and maintaining collection system lines, inlets, and manhole structures. Operates jackhammer, breaks loading and hauls old concrete, shovels and spreads stone and seals cracks, pours/forms concrete, and fills sink holes. May perform repairs under live flow conditions at any given time while following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protocols on monitoring hazardous atmospheres.

Assists in operating jetter truck/vacuum truck/combination truck. Assists with hydro excavating and/or vaccing out tanks. Recognizes and properly responds to changes in gauge readings.

Assists with pumping out stagnant tank stations, primary tanks, decanting tanks, starting/shutting down equipment, hosing walls and tanks, removing/cleaning grit dumpsters using heavy equipment, and cleaning weirs and bar screens.

Assists in documenting various tasks on prescribed forms and in Cityworks computer program as required. Maintains spreadsheets, databases, mapping, and inventory as needed.

Assists in maintaining cleanliness of department buildings, including sweeping, mopping, polishing and vacuuming floors, shampooing carpets and runners, dusting, cleaning windows and blinds, cleaning toilets, sinks and mirrors, restocking towels and toilet tissue, cleaning kitchen counters and cabinets, washing walls, emptying trash containers, collecting recyclables, and removing litter.

Assists in monitoring and maintaining lift stations, including operating pumps and valves to control/adjust flow removing excess grease and debris, operating reset buttons in control boxes, checking atmosphere for gas accumulation, replacing pump floats, and pulling/replacing pumps.

Assists in responding to complaints, inquiries and requests as assigned, such as sewer back-ups, flooding, sewer odors, and lift station alarms, including inspecting sites, identifying source of problem, and explaining findings to property owner, supervisor, or lead operator on site.

Assists with frequent inspections of manholes, tanks, vaults, sanitary sewer, and combined sewer systems for proper functioning. Assists with cleaning/rodding/flushing collection system lines and operating sewer camera and performing various tests.

Assists on designated crew for televising city sewer lines, including placing rover tractor, taking precautions as necessary, maintaining communication with lead camera operator, spooling out cable, and assisting with camera computer systems and analyzing recorded data.

Assists in verifying final inspections of sewer infrastructures, ensuring usage of approved materials and methods.

Assists in maintaining plant and lift station grounds, including mowing, trimming grass, pruning trees and shrubs, raking leaves, removing weeds/brush/trash, and clearing snow and ice from sidewalks and parking lots.

Assists in performing tasks to return roads, sidewalks, and yards to original condition, including repairing/ replacing/raising castings, filling around manholes with asphalt/concrete/soil/sod/seed, and cleaning work site. Assists in helping ensure proper placement of warning, detour, and related signs as needed during repair operations, as per INDOT work zone safety requirements. Periodically assists with flagging/traffic control at work sites as needed.

Assists in maintaining vehicles, equipment, and tools as assigned, including washing/cleaning, lubricating, regularly checking for proper fluid levels and mechanical operation, changing oil, and referring needed repairs to supervisor.

Assists in contacting appropriate sources in locating underground utility lines prior to excavation for department projects. Assists in notifying residential and commercial property owners of disruption of services as needed.

Assists in locating city structures using email, GIS software, paint and flag markings, and manhole hooks to remove lids to visually assure direction of flow and lines coming in and out of structures. Communicates with and educates property owners and their pets on their rights and needs to be present at the location. Required to respond after hours to perform these duties as emergencies arise. Exercises discretion in identifying and selecting from alternative courses of action.

Periodically assists with collecting wastewater samples, according to local, Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements and dropping them off to lab personnel. Assists with proper disposal of hazardous waste.

Periodically assists with clearing sewer easements of brush and tree growth, operating chain saws, hand saws, backhoe, excavator, shovels, bush hog, riding and push mowers, rakes, and trimmers.

Assists in ordering parts and supplies, including researching availability, obtaining price quotes and placing orders as approved by supervisor. Periodically drives out of town as assigned to pick up supplies or deliver/pick up equipment for repairs.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or GED required. Experience in a wastewater utility, or collection system, heavy equipment operator or job site construction crew preferred.

Ability to obtain an Indiana commercial driver's license within six months of hire in date.

Ability to make practical application of Department and OSHA safety policies and procedures.

Ability to perform basic plumbing and electrical repairs and properly operate a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles and heavy equipment, including wrenches, screw drivers, drills, jack hammer, air compressors, weed trimmers, mowers, chain saws, televising equipment, power saws, cement mixer, rodder, backhoe, pickup, jetting/vacuum/dump trucks, and line locate equipment.

Ability to make practical application of state, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, EPA wastewater treatment regulations and standard laboratory procedures.

Working knowledge of universal health precautions, the City's Bloodborne Pathogens Control Plan, the Utility's Written Safety Programs, and ability to apply such knowledge on the job to protect oneself from infection and injury.

Working knowledge of theCity of Noblesville Employee Personnel Policy Handbook and ability to apply these regulations/standards to employment.

Ability to physically perform assigned duties, including hearing sounds/communication, close/far vision, standing/walking for long periods, climbing stairs, pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying objects weighingno more than 50 pounds, reaching, bending, crouching/kneeling, handling/grasping/fingering objects, depth perception, and periodically exerting continuous physical effort for long periods.

Working knowledge of Standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, ability to prepare reports and correspondence, and ability to perform simple arithmetic calculations.Ability to operate department technology, GIS software, and various computer programs. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs, such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.

Ability to read and interpret instruments, gauges, and dials; and stop/restart various plant equipment.

Ability to accurately prepare documents and maintain detailed records as required.

Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and work with others in a team environment.

Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, other city departments and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Ability to occasionally work extended, weekend and/or evening hours, work other shifts as needed, and occasionally travel out of town for training, sometimes overnight.

Ability to serve on 24-hour call and respond swiftly, rationally and decisively to emergency situations.

Possession of a valid Indiana driver's license, a demonstrated safe driving record, and must remain insurable through the City of Noblesville's liability insurance carrier. (Refer to the Civilian Personnel Policy for additional information).

Ability to obtain a valid Indiana commercial driver's license within six months of hire date.

Work Environment

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, supervisors, other City departments and the public for the purpose of exchanging and explaining information.

Incumbent reports directly to Utilities Manager - Conveyance.

Incumbent performs duties in a wastewater treatment plant, vehicle and outdoors involving hearing sounds/communication, close and far vision, standing/walking for long periods, climbing stairs, pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying objects weighing no more than 50 pounds, reaching, bending, crouching/kneeling, handling/grasping/fingering objects, depth perception, and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious materials, traffic, noise, grease, dirt, dust, pollen, odors, vehicle and methane fumes, chemicals, electric currents, extreme temperatures and inclement weather. Incumbent occasionally works on ladders and in confined areas, such as manholes, tanks, vaults, and pipes. Safety precautions must be followed at all times to avoid injury to self and others. Incumbent must wear City furnished uniforms and safety equipment including safety shoes.

Incumbent occasionally works extended, evening and/or weekend hours, work other shifts as needed, and occasionally travels out of town for training, sometimes overnight. Incumbent serves on 24-hour call for emergencies.

This position is identified as having occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.