Utility Service Worker I/II

Walnut Valley Water District is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for the position of Utility Service Worker I/II.

The District
At Walnut Valley Water District, we believe in putting people first. We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance while striving for excellence in everything we do. Our vision statement, “Shared Values, Shared Results,” reflects our commitment to collaboration, integrity, and success. As a member of our team, you’ll not only be part of a dedicated workforce but also enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth.

The Utility Service Worker I performs a variety of assignments in the areas of customer service and field maintenance associated with the District's water service system.

The Utility Service Worker II performs a variety of assignments in the areas of customer service and field maintenance associated with the District's water service system.

This role operates under the guidance of the Field Supervisor. This is the experienced working level in the Utility Service Worker series. incumbents perform basic work in maintenance, installation, and repair assignments with relatively close supervision. As incumbents develop job knowledge and skills, they may begin performing duties and responsibilities characteristics of a more advanced job.  With a combination of education, sufficient experience, and an ability to work independently, an incumbent may be eligible for promotion to a higher-level position.

• Assists with the repair of meter services such as gate valves, meter connections, angle stops, service pipes, and corporation stops.
• Assists with a variety of installations, maintenance, and repairs on water distribution systems and lines.
• Cleans dead-end lines, as directed, by discharging water until no apparent odor, taste, or color exists.
• Installs new or repairs existing domestic and recycled water distribution mains and service lines; installs, maintains, and repairs fire hydrants, valves, meters related to the water distribution system.
• Performs leak tests to locate leaks in service lines.
• Shuts down main lines in emergencies.
• Cleans weeds and bushes and trims trees on meter services, fire hydrants, air vacs, etc.
• Participates in water meter installation, turn-ons, turn-offs, sealing services, and/or removing meters, as directed.
• Notifies customers of interruption of water service.
• As directed, investigates and resolves customer inquiries and complaints in the areas of unusual water charges, low or high-water pressure, water quality, and water system malfunction.
• Reads residential and commercial water meters on an assigned route using a variety of computer/electronic equipment.
• Notes and reports readings which appear to be unusually high or low.
• Reports meter leaks, damaged or stuck meters, and illegal connections.
• Replaces broken meter lids, covers, and boxes.

Typical Physical Activities 

• Operates District vehicles to travel between job sites.
• Must be able to carry, push, pull, reach, and lift equipment and parts weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to excavate using a shovel.
• Stoops, kneels, crouches, crawls, and climbs during field maintenance and repair work.
• Works in an environment with exposure to dust, dirt, mud, and significant temperature changes between cold and heat.
• Occasionally walks on uneven terrain in an outdoor environment.
• Communicates orally with District management, co-workers, contractors, and customers in face-to-face, one-on-one settings.
• Uses a two-way radio for communication.
• Stands and walks for extended time periods.
• Must have hearing, vision, and eye-hand coordination sufficient to operate equipment and to maintain good awareness during maintenance, construction, and repair jobs.

Employment Standards Knowledge of: 

• Basic knowledge of materials and equipment used in water service installation, maintenance, and repair work.
• Basic working principles of water meters.
• Proper use of the tools, materials, and equipment used to accomplish assigned duties or projects.
• Basic mathematics.
• Record keeping.
• Local Street names, locations, and geography.
• Proper work safety standards.

• Perform, as directed, basic work assignments in the installation, maintenance, and repair of water distribution systems.
• Read water meters and maintain accurate records.
• Perform basic maintenance on meters.
• Learn the more difficult water service and meter installation, maintenance, and repair work.
• Issue, receive, and comprehend oral and written communications.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records and reports.
• Communicate diplomatically and knowledgeably with District employees and the general public.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Perform arithmetical calculations.
• Perform heavy physical labor.
• Safely operate motor vehicles and power-driven equipment used in water service work.  Ability to operate a backhoe is desirable.

• Installs and/or repairs District service laterals.
• Assists with the repair of meter services such as gate valves, meter connections, angle stops, service pipes, and corporation stops.
• Assists with a variety of installations, maintenance and repairs of water distribution systems and lines.
• Cleans dead-end lines, as directed, by discharging water until no apparent odor, taste, or color exists.
• Installs new or repairs existing domestic and recycled water distribution mains and service lines; installs, maintains, and repairs fire hydrants, valves, meters related to the water distribution system.
• Performs leak tests to locate leaks in service lines.
• Operates water system valves and shuts down main lines in emergencies.
• Cleans weeds and bushes and trims trees around meter services, fire hydrants, air vacs, etc.
• Participates in water meter installation, turn-ons, turn-offs, sealing services, and/or removing meters, as directed.
• Distributes customer notices.
• As directed, investigates and resolves customer inquiries and complaints in the areas of unusual water charges, low or high-water pressure, water quality, and water system malfunction.
• Reads residential and commercial water meters on an assigned route using a variety of computer/electronic equipment.
• Notes and reports readings which appear to be unusually high or low.
• Reports meter leaks, damaged or stuck meters, and illegal connections.
• Replaces broken meter lids, covers, and boxes.
• May assume responsibilities of the Utility Service Worker III or Lead in his/her absence.

Typical Physical Activities 

• Operates District vehicles to travel between job sites.
• Must be able to carry, push, pull, reach, and lift equipment and parts weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to excavate using a shovel.
• Stoops, kneels, crouches, crawls, and climbs during field maintenance and repair work.
• Works in an environment with exposure to dust, dirt, mud, and significant temperature changes between cold and heat.
• Frequently walks on uneven terrain in an outdoor environment.
• Communicates orally with District management, co-workers, contractors, and customers in face-to-face, one-on-one settings.
• Uses a two-way radio for communication.
• Stands, walks and drives for extended time periods.
• Must have hearing, vision, and eye-hand coordination sufficient to operate equipment and to maintain good awareness during maintenance, construction, and repair jobs.

Employment Standards Knowledge of: 

• Methods, materials, and equipment used in water/recycled water system installation, maintenance, and repair work.
• Basic working principles of water meters, valves, fire hydrants, booster pumps and related water system apparatus.
• Proper use of the tools, materials, and equipment used to accomplish assigned duties or projects.
• Basic mathematics, and water system hydraulics.
• Record keeping.
• Basic computer skills.
• Local street names, locations, and geography.
• Proper traffic control practices and procedures.
• Proper work safety standards.

• Perform skilled installation, maintenance, and repair of water/recycled water distribution systems.
• Read water meters and maintain accurate records.
• Perform skilled installation and servicing of meters.
• Read water system maps.
• Issue, receive, and comprehend oral and written communications.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records and reports.
• Communicate diplomatically and knowledgeably with District employees and the general public.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Perform arithmetical calculations.
• Perform heavy physical labor.
• Safely operate motor vehicles and power-driven equipment used in water service work. Ability to operate a backhoe is desirable.

Desirable Education and Experience

• State of California SWRCB Water Distribution Operator Grade D1 Certificate is required.
• State of California SWRCB Water Treatment Operator Grade T1 Certificate is desired.

Desirable Education and Experience

• State of California SWRCB Water Distribution Operator Grade D2 Certificate is required. 
• State of California SWRCB Water Distribution Operator Grade D3 Certificate is desired.
• State of California SWRCB Water Treatment Operator Grade T1 Certificate is desired.
• L.A. County Back Flow Certification is desired.
• AWWA Back Flow Tester and AWWA Cross Connection Specialist certifications are desired

• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical, including a pulmonary function test.  

• Must pass periodic medical re-evaluations determining fitness for respirator use and be clean shaven when wearing a respirator.

• Valid California Driver's License - Class "C".   Must maintain an acceptable driving record as determined by the District's insurance carrier.

• Reliable telephone in service at all times.

• Reliable personal transportation.

• Must reside within 30 miles of the District and be able to respond in a timely manner.

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