Placer County

Utility Service Worker (#11307)

$30.10-$37.61 Hourly / $5,217.33-$6,519.07 Monthly / $62,608.00-$78,228.80 Yearly

DEFINITION

To perform semi-skilled and skilled utility construction duties, including the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of wastewater collection, water distribution, and fire suppression systems; to assist with maintaining wastewater, water treatment, and related facilities; and to operate light and moderately heavy construction equipment.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Maintenance Worker:
This is the entry level class in the Utility Service Worker series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Utility Service Worker:
This is the full journey level class within the Utility Service Worker series. This class is distinguished from the Maintenance Worker by the assignment of the full range of duties. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Utility Service Worker in that the latter performs complex and difficult work in the maintenance and repair of sewer lines, water lines, pumps, and engine with a high degree of skill and independent judgment, coordinates and schedules assigned projects, and exercises technical and functional supervision over crew members.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Maintenance Worker
Receives immediate supervision from a Utility Service Crew Supervisor and may receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Utility Service Worker and/or higher-level supervisory and management staff.

Utility Service Worker
Receives general supervision from a Utility Service Crew Supervisor and may receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Utility Service Worker and/or higher-level supervisory and management staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  • As a Maintenance Worker, perform a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled utility service tasks in a training capacity.
  • Locate, inspect, and repair manholes; locate, test for, and repair leaks in sewer and water lines; inspect sewer and water lines manually or by television; operate high pressure sewer line cleaning equipment to free plugged mains.
  • Dig ditches and make excavations; backfill trenches and excavations; cut, thread, assemble, and lay pipe; tap main lines and make new service connections. 
  • Clean ponds and drying beds; haul sludge and solids; clear and maintain drainage ditches; perform maintenance on sewer ponds and at landfill sites. 
  • Operate light and moderately heavy equipment, including dump trucks, boom trucks, and backhoes; transport equipment and supplies to work sites; load and unload equipment and supplies.
  • Perform various building trades in support of utility service functions, including carpentry, painting, plumbing, mechanical, masonry, and welding, and may assist with electrical work.
  • Perform traffic control, including set up and removal of signs, cones, and flagging. 
  • Read and maintain water and sewer meters; patch road pavement; may operate and repair snow removal equipment.
  • Install and repair piping and valves; interpret manuals, schematics, plant diagrams, and drawings.
  • Maintain records and other documents as required.
  • May assist Electrical Instrument and Control Technicians with the inspection, maintenance, and repair of electrical and electronic systems, including motors, controls, and alarms.
  • Make confined space entries into manholes and sewer pump stations.
  • Maintain records and other documents as required.
  • When assigned to shop maintenance, perform preventative maintenance and repair on vehicles, heavy equipment, and other specialized equipment used by Utility Services.
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees, and the public using principles of effective customer service.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is primarily performed outside in varying environments, including inclement weather, requiring travel to various locations throughout the County in a variety of outdoor weather conditions.

Field duties are performed in confined spaces and in close proximity to a variety of environmental factors, including wastewater, sewage, gases, and high voltages.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Maintenance Worker

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: No experience is required.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Utility Service Worker

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two (2) years of experience performing duties similar to a Maintenance Worker assigned to Utility Services with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:

  • May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
  • Possession of a valid Class A driver's license with air brake and tanker endorsements within twelve (12) months of employment, when assigned to Public Works.
  • Possession of certificate of training in use of self-contained breathing apparatus within three (3) months of employment.
  • Possession of Certificate in Wastewater Collection System Maintenance, Grade I, as issued by the California Water Environment Association within twelve (12) months of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Maintenance Worker

Knowledge of:
  • General use and purpose of materials, tools, equipment, and methods used in utility service construction and maintenance, including de-energized pumps, engines, meters, and pipelines.
  • General use and purpose of materials, tools, equipment, and methods used in basic building trades activities.
  • Principles and practices of work safety.
  • Basic office procedures, methods, computer equipment, and relevant software.
  • Basic recordkeeping.
  • Principles and practices of effective customer service.
Ability to:
  • On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; observe safety rules and identify safety hazards; analyze problem equipment and systems; recall, identify, and locate equipment and tools; read, interpret, explain, and follow work orders, manuals, schematics, diagrams, drawings, and blueprints; recall street/road names and general geographic areas; work under time pressure with frequent interruptions; focus on a single task for long periods of time; analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action; explain job to others.
  • Intermittently, sit while completing work papers and reports or while operating equipment; on a continuous basis, walk, stand, balance, bend, squat, crouch, climb, kneel, twist, and reach while operating equipment and performing utility service work; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; see, hear, and smell with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; distinguish colors and shades of colors used in coding electrical wires; speak, use telephone, write, and use keyboard to communicate; lift very heavy weight.
  • Perform heavy and continuous physical labor in a safe and effective manner.
  • Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
  • Interact fairly and courteously with others.
  • Safely and effectively perform duties and operate equipment in regular traffic areas.
  • Work assigned shift, including weekends, holidays, and odd or irregular hours; be subject to emergency call-out and work unusual or prolonged work schedules; work multiple or mandatory shifts during emergencies, seasonally-caused circumstances, or special projects.
  • Operate a variety of equipment and tools, including motorized light and moderately heavy equipment, hand tools, power tools, and air tools.
  • Understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
Utility Service Worker

In addition to the qualifications for Maintenance Worker:

Knowledge of:
  • Principles and practices of utility maintenance functions, including the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of wastewater collection, water distribution, and fire suppression systems.
  • Use and purpose of materials, tools, equipment, methods, procedures, and practices used in the semi-skilled and skilled construction and maintenance of wastewater collection and water distribution systems, including pipeline sizing and the installation and operation of pumps and engines.
  • Methods of traffic control.
  • Vehicle codes and safety practices relevant to operating light and moderately heavy vehicles and equipment.
  • Principles and practices of operation and routine maintenance of road and construction equipment.
Ability to:
  • Assist in operating and maintaining electric or electronic equipment.
  • Remain current with technology associated with utility service and maintenance functions.
  • Perform minor service, repair, and adjustment of various mechanical utility service and maintenance equipment and tools.
  • Use specialized tools and equipment applicable to specific area of assignment, including television cameras and various meters.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation: 
All permanent appointments to this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more. 

Bargaining Unit: 
General

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
CLASS: 11307; EST: 9/2/1995; REV: 11/7/2024; REVWD: 11/7/2024;