County of Alameda

Under general supervision, performs heavy physical labor work required for the construction, maintenance, or repair of facilities and equipment found in a water distribution system, water treatment facilities or flood control facilities; and performs related work as required.  

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

Incumbents in this class can be located in either the Maintenance or Flood Maintenance section in the Agency and are primarily responsible for performing heavy manual labor related to maintenance, construction, or flood control activities. This class is distinguished from Plant Maintenance Laborer, Zone 7, which is primarily responsible for performing mechanical maintenance and repair work on Zone 7 facilities.  This class receives direct supervision from a Maintenance and Construction Supervisor.

NOTE:  The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.  

1. Performs varied maintenance and construction work on water treatment plants, water distribution systems and/or flood channel facilities and properties.
2. Cleans debris from ditches, culverts, drains, flood control areas and roadsides; clears creeks and channels and performs graffiti abatement.
3. Makes taps, installs, and connects mains, services, and valves according to construction drawings using hand tools, equipment, and material as required.
4. Operates and maintains a variety of maintenance equipment; makes excavations and removes pavement with hydraulic, air, and hand tools in order to place pipe, fittings, valves, and other related distribution system components. Completes excavation by back filling and tamping, pours and spreads concrete, dirt, and/or sand; cleans up work area, removes debris, gathers, cleans, and loads tools.
5. Constructs, maintains, and repairs flood control and groundwater recharge facilities; patch cracks; perform concrete work; break and remove rubble, place forms and install reinforcements; mix, pour and finish cement, asphalt, and repair.
6. Assists in cleaning up work sites; ensure proper disposal of hazardous materials as established by Zone 7 guidelines; assists during loading of sludge and the cleaning of sludge ponds at water treatment facilities.
7. Repairs broken mains and other related components under routine or emergency conditions and restores area to original condition, using various hand tools.
8. Sets up, monitors, and performs traffic control functions; sets up traffic warning devices and barricades; directs traffic around work sites at the job site according to city, county, and state specifications to properly ensure safety in the working environment and for the general public.  
9. Operates a full range of light construction equipment, company vehicles, and other work equipment as required.
10. Maintains the distribution system facility to ensure proper operation including locating, inspecting, and adjusting valve boxes to ensure valves can be operated.
11. Estimates and secures materials, tools and equipment required for assigned tasks and hauls equipment to and from job sites; inspects equipment, makes operating adjustments, and performs minor preventive maintenance and repair.
12. Maintains accurate and complete manual and computerized records and logs of work performed.  
13. Ensures adherence to safe work practices and procedures and observes safe work methods and safety precautions related to the work and perform assignments in compliance with safety regulations.
14. Responds to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
15. Performs periodic grounds keeping and sprinkler maintenance, operating associated grounds keeping equipment.
16. Performs occasional carpentry jobs, such as constructing stairways, and frames prior to pouring concrete.
17. Can conduct daily/weekly/monthly inspections of flood control channels or pipelines and appurtenances.
18. Works with/directs contractors that perform various functions, such as vegetation removal, minor tree trimming, vegetation spraying, concrete patching; sediment removal; and general construction activities.  
19. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Experience:  

The equivalent of two (2) years of experience in construction, pipeline and/or vegetation maintenance work, which has provided the required knowledge and skills.    

License:  

Possession of a valid California Driver’s license.  

Other Requirements:

• Must be willing to work in areas with potential exposure to hazardous materials, in confined spaces with respiratory protection equipment, with frequent exposure to traffic and machine noise, and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Occasionally works in excavations with unsanitary conditions.
• Requires sufficient physical strength and agility to perform heavy manual labor, equipment operation, inspection and maintenance tasks, and to unload, store and transfer supplies and equipment.  

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE:  The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.  

Knowledge of:

• Basic communication skills.
• Basic analytical/decision making skills.
• Basic team skills.
• Basic human relations skills.
• Basic planning/organization skills.
• Selecting tools of the construction industry.
• Safe work methods and safety precautions related to the work.
• Distribution systems, its components and reading and interpreting records, drawings, valve books, and in using electronic records.
• CAL/OSHA and DOT traffic safety and how to properly set up signs and barricades and maintain a safe work site.
• Pavement restoration procedures.
• Vegetation management  

Ability to:

• Operate and utilize the proper equipment, tools and select materials to maintain and repair the distribution system and its components or flood control channels.
• Follow written and oral directions.
• Complete work assignments independently.
• Use safety equipment and observe safe work methods.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of the work.
• Perform general manual duties requiring mechanical aptitude & manual dexterity.
• Prepare subgrade, set final grade, surface restoration, and place concrete.
• Perform manual duties requiring use of proper tools and methods for tree/shrub trimming.
• Perform basic computer operation including ability to read plans and interpret records, drawings, and project tracking.

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.