Sewer Collection Technician

At the City of Sioux Falls we are committed to making a positive impact on our community and environment. As a leader in sustainable infrastructure and environmental stewardship, we work to ensure that our collection systems are efficient, effective, and resilient. We believe that every member of our team plays a crucial role in safeguarding our community’s water resources and enhancing our quality of life. As a Collection Technician, you will be on the front lines of maintaining and improving our collection system. Your efforts will help protect local water bodies, reduce flood risks, and promote environmental stability.

Typical schedule: Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. with summers working 4-day workweeks (Monday – Thursday 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). In addition, be willing to work standby and varied schedules to accommodate a 24-hour-per-day, 7-day-per-week operation.

1. Maintain sanitary sewer by rodding, jetting, root cutting, and cleaning storm inlets to ensure proper flow in pipes and prevent pipe restrictions and obstructions.

2. Perform television inspection, smoke and dye testing, sewer flow monitoring, and other inspection and monitoring tasks to eliminate extraneous flows and identify breaks, problems, and cross connections in the sanitary sewer system.

3. Maintain sanitary and storm sewer lift stations by preventative and unscheduled maintenance as needed.

4. Perform various tasks in the installation, repair, and replacement of sanitary sewer and storm sewer systems, manholes, and other services, including excavating and backfilling service accesses; cutting, fitting, sealing, laying, and tapping new or repaired pipe, etc.

5. Forming of sidewalks, driveway approaches, and curb and gutters and make calculations required to order the proper amount of concrete to complete the project.

6. Operate a variety of tools and equipment, including laptop computers with GIS and work order software, flow meter software, hydraulic pumps, electric submersible pumps, centrifugal sewage pumps, pipe locators, tapping devices, jackhammers, chain saws, pipe threading machines, air compressors, trucks, backhoes, front-end loaders, flatbed trailers, utility vehicles, ditching machinery, etc.

7. Maintain and perform minor repairs on trucks and other service equipment.

8. Handle and answer complaints regarding sewer backup, sewer gas concerns, lift station alarms, sewer rodent problems, flooded streets, and other public complaints.

9. Perform manual labor, including hand shoveling; loading and unloading pipes, fittings, and other utility equipment and materials from utility vehicles; lifting, carrying, and moving materials and equipment at the work sites; cleaning work areas, etc.

10. Perform chemical dosing in a proper and safe manner for control of odor, insects, rodents, roots, silt, and grease deposits.

11. Assess, isolate, or reverse system failure such as blockages or obstructions.

12. Assist in the direction and training of part-time employees.

13. Collect samples from the sanitary sewer and storm sewer systems.

14. Identify sewer locations for related construction projects.

15. Perform pond, greenway, and channel maintenance.

16. Perform snow and ice control and removal procedures, including plowing, sanding, spreading deicing chemicals, loading trucks, hauling snow, shoveling sidewalks, or assisting mechanics in the maintenance of snow removal equipment.

17. Conduct on-site repair such as sealing, grouting, and lining of deteriorated collection piping and manholes.

18. Perform other such duties and functions as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.

Graduation from high school or GED certification. Experience desired in the installation, maintenance, and repair of mains, pipes, and services; heavy equipment operation or related work in the sanitary and storm systems; or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

Must possess or be able to obtain within 90 days of hire a valid Class A commercial driver’s license (with no restrictions) with tanker and air brake endorsements.

Must possess a valid Class I South Dakota Wastewater Collection Certificate within one year of hire.

Willing to work standby and varied schedules to accommodate a 24-hour-per-day, 7-day-per-week operation.

• Knowledge of the equipment, materials, methods, and techniques of sewer maintenance and inspection.

• Knowledge of the methods, materials, practices, and tools required for sanitary sewer, storm sewer, main installation, and repair.

• Knowledge of hydraulics, electricity, and basic electronics and PLC (SCADA).

• Knowledge of sampling and preservation techniques.

• Knowledge of TV inspection of sewers and interpretation of data.

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, grade sheets, maps, and drawings and to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

• Ability to recognize and assess wastewater system damage.

• Ability to keep written reports and records.

• Ability to withstand exposure to varying weather conditions.

• Ability to proficiently and safely operate various types of light and heavy equipment, including backhoes, trenchers, trucks, payloaders, etc.

• Must follow all prescribed department safety standards; i.e., trench boxes or shoring, gas monitoring for confined space entry, and entrance logs, and make sure all team members are using required PPE in all required work areas.

• Must have good depth perception and vision adequate to safely operate heavy excavation equipment to and on work sites.

• Knowledge and ability to follow all requirements to wear appropriate personal protective safety equipment as assigned.

• Knowledge of occupational hazards associated with wastewater industry, including working in confined spaces and hazardous environments.

• Knowledge and ability to follow chemical dosing rates established by the manufacturer or management.

• Knowledge of general operation of pressure or vacuum pumping systems.

• Knowledge of the layout and geography of the city.

• Knowledge of basic computer operations, the use of Microsoft Word and Excel, and flow testing procedures.

• Ability to understand and follow basic written and oral instructions.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.