Water Service Technician I

Job Description

Water Service Technician I (904)

Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED; and
One (1) year of experience in a water utility performing service work including the servicing, testing, and repairing of water meters or one (1) year of approved related technical experience with mechanical instruments

License

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required.

Certification

Possession of the following certificates is required within twelve (12) months of, and for the duration of, appointment:

A valid Water Distribution Operator Certificate (Grade D-1 or above) issued by the California Department of Health Services; and
A valid Backflow Prevention Tester Certificate issued by the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association or the Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the entry-level classification in the Water Service Technician series. An incumbent in this classification performs routine water service duties and is responsible for the maintenance and testing of water meters, backflow prevention devices, and fire services, as well as the handling of customer complaints and service requests.

Typical Duties

Each position in this classification may not include all the duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be performed.

Under supervision:

Reads and interprets plot book maps (City map with underground facilities) to locate water valves.
Analyzes and solves water meter, backflow devices, and fire services related problems such as dealing with customer service calls and field checks
Uses tools such as crescent adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, off-set pliers to install and remove water meters and backflow devices from a variety of locations
Disassembles and reassembles water meters using tools such as a crescent adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, off-set pliers, screw drivers, scrapers, and wire brushes to conduct field work
Operates hand and power tools such as bead blaster cabinet and hydro cabinet to clean, repair, and test water meters and back flow devices
Makes minor service repairs such as fixing leaks in water meters, meter couplings, water dripping from back flow devices, and trimming bushes to read water meters to ensure registers are clean to read
Operates standard pickup trucks and valve operating machine for every day field work, including field testing water meters, back flow devices, and fire services
Reads meters and shuts off water on delinquent accounts
Assists in cross-connection testing at recycled water sites
Assists in enforcing City’s water conservation mandates such as preventing citizens and businesses from using fire hydrants for water supply without the use of a City hydrant water meter
Answers, analyzes, and solves customer complaints (i.e., high bills, leak checks, and odor complaints) and service requests by seeking additional information or doing field rechecks
Writes field notes, office reports, and service records to document service provided and inventory control. Deals courteously and professionally with customers and those contacted in the course of work
Performs other related duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

Various types of water meters and backflow prevention devices, their operation and the methods and equipment used in their testing and repair
Basic water conservation principles and practices
Water systems and hydraulics
Basic water conservation principles and practices
Environmental and safety practices, procedures and standards

Ability to:

Perform accurate and precise mechanical work, including disassembling and reassembling water meters and backflow prevention devices, with proper hand-eye coordination
Accurately operate hand and power tools such as crescent adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, off-set pliers, screw drivers, scrapers, and wire brushes, to conduct field work
Use computer to enter daily reports, field notes, office reports, and service records
Follow oral and written directions
Read and interpret drawings, blueprints, and plot book maps (City map with underground facilities)
Understand and follow operations manuals, written instructions, and technical diagrams
Deal tactfully and courteously with others
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals
Maintain stock records and adequate levels of supplies, parts, and equipment
Maintain records of meter locations and completed maintenance work
Effectively handle multiple priorities, organize workload, and meet strict deadlines
Bend, stoop, reach, carry, crawl, climb, and lift as necessary to perform assigned duties

Supervision Received

Works under the supervision of a higher job classification as assigned.

Supervision Exercised

May assist in the training and supervision of personnel as assigned.

Other Requirements

May be required to work shifts, weekends, and odd and unusual hours in the performance of duties and emergency situations
Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment

Approved, November 2006