Utilities Maintenance Specialist

Help keep our community running by maintaining the critical infrastructure that delivers clean water, manages stormwater, and protects public health and the environment. As a Utilities Maintenance Worker, you will perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled work to inspect, operate, maintain, and repair the City's water distribution, stormwater, and wastewater collection systems. Your work plays a vital role in ensuring these essential public services remain safe, reliable, and efficient for the community.

This position reports directly to the Utilities Supervisor and may also receive technical and functional direction from other Public Works staff. At the request of the Supervisor, the incumbent may assist in coordinating and monitoring the work of seasonal and temporary employees assigned to the Utilities Division.

This is the journey-level classification within the Utilities Maintenance series and is responsible for performing the full range of duties required to maintain City utility infrastructure in a safe, effective, and dependable operating condition. Incumbents perform a wide variety of inspection, maintenance, repair, and operational tasks, responding to both routine maintenance needs and unexpected system issues in a timely and professional manner. The position requires sound judgment, technical skill, and a commitment to safety while helping ensure the City's utility systems continue to provide reliable service to residents and businesses.

This classification is distinguished from the Water Distribution Technician, which serves as the lead-level position within the division. The Water Distribution Technician provides technical and functional direction to lower-level staff and is assigned the division's most complex and specialized maintenance, repair, and operational responsibilities.

• Inspects water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure to assess general condition and ensure compliance with city construction standards; maintains infrastructure consistent with industry operations and maintenance practices.
• Assists with plan review, punch list development and final inspection for city infrastructure projects maintained by Public Works.
• Performs utility locating for all city-owned utilities; retrieves data, maintains accurate records and files, assists contractors and city staff as required to locate underground utilities according to the OUCC/OUNC Standards Manual.
• Assists with installing, repairing or replacing water meters, fire hydrants, blow offs, air reliefs and other water distribution appurtenances.
• Replaces and maintains meter boxes and lids.
• Assists with completing work orders and performing various customer service tasks such as investigating customer concerns and locking and unlocking water meters.
• Delivers customer service notices.
• Performs routine landscaping duties around water meters, fire hydrants, valves, vaults, off street manholes, and various stormwater facilities.
• Reads water meters upon request.
• Assists with turning water main valves on or off.
• Assists with annual utility maintenance programs, including valve actuation, water main flushing, hydrant maintenance and water meter replacement.
• Performs repairs and maintenance on wastewater and stormwater collection system including main lines, manholes, catch basins and water quality facilities.
• Mitigates public hazards related to ice and snow during inclement weather.
• Provides support for special events, including set up, take down, and clean up.
• Participates in assessing and mitigating hazardous materials spills as needed.
• Completes assigned tasks using the City's asset management program. 
• Collects filed data and modifies asset records using the City's asset management program.
• Conducts flow monitoring, dye tests, smoke tests, and tests of drainage, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.

• Safely operates equipment necessary to perform work.
• Performs routine inspection and maintenance necessary for the efficient and safe operation of the equipment (safety inspection, grease and oil, hydraulic systems, etc.)
• Correctly operates equipment and vehicles to reduce waste, limit noise pollution, and maximize effectiveness.
• Promptly reports equipment and vehicle problems to Fleet Services personnel. 
• Use desktop computers and mobile devices in accordance with City policy.

• Effectively communicates orally and in writing with employees from all departments and outside agencies to efficiently coordinate and implement the work program.
• Effectively communicates with the general public in order to coordinate work and provide general information in support of City activities.

• Acknowledge customers when they enter a city facility by greeting them with a smile and positive tone of voice whether in person, on the phone or in email.   
• Gather necessary information to assist the customer.  Where possible, handle issues/questions/requests without transferring customer to someone else. 
• Seek out answers to questions first; if unsuccessful provide name/contact information of someone who can assist.  
• Listen, understand, and clarify to gain in depth understanding of the needs to ensure they are being met. 
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner.
• Be positive and enthusiastic when speaking with customers.   

• Be courteous and polite.
• Treat customers with dignity and respect.   
• Understand customer's expectations and treat them as a priority. 
• Actively listen and give customer undivided attention.
• Appreciate differing perspectives, opinions, and needs.
• Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, and ethical behavior. 

• Provide prompt and reliable service.
• Respond to phone/email as soon as possible.
• Follow through in a timely manner on commitments made to customers and provide estimated timeline for completion. 
• Change voicemail and email when out of office/unavailable and provide alternate contact person for customers. 
• Demonstrate a "can-do" approach.
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions.

• Water Distribution and/or Wastewater Collections level I or higher; or
• Erosion and Sediment Control Manager Certification, Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead Training, or other alternately approved Erosion Control Inspection Training; and Vegetated Private Water Quality Facilities (VPWQF) certification

• Ability to operate various types of equipment and tools.
• Ability to perform repairs and maintenance of various infrastructure, equipment, and systems.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to learn and adhere to City policies, procedures, and requirements related to procurement, safety, and operations.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures applicable to area of assignment.
• Ability to apply knowledge of safety standards, best industry practices, and approved procedures relating to the essential functions of the position.
• Knowledge of safe and effective operating practices for vehicles and applicable equipment.
• Knowledge of maintenance construction and repair methods and procedures used in assigned area.
• Basic knowledge of and ability to learn about traffic systems, signs, street lights, and signals, techniques of flagging and traffic control.
• Basic knowledge of and ability to learn to operate heavy equipment and power tools used in maintenance operations.
• Ability to adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems, including computer hardware and software and mobile devices.
• Ability to perform heavy manual work under confined conditions and in inclement weather.
• Ability to determine appropriate resources needed for a project.
• Ability to interpret construction plans.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job.