Water Service Technician II

Job Description

Water Service Technician II (903)

Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED; and
Three (3) years of experience with the City of Santa Clara as a Water Service Technician I performing service work including the servicing, testing, and repairing of water meters

License

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at time of application and for the duration of employment.

Certification

Possession of the following certificates is required within twelve (12) months of, and for the duration of, appointment:

A valid Water Distribution Operator Certificate (Grade D-2 or above) issued by the California Department of Public Health; and
A valid Backflow Prevention Tester Certificate issued by the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association or the Foundation for Cross Connection Control and Hydraulic Research

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the journey-level classification in the Water Service Technician series. An incumbent in this classification is responsible for the maintenance and testing of water meters, backflow prevention devices and fire services, and the handling of customer complaints and service requests. This class is distinguished from the Water Service Technician I in that the latter performs the full range of assigned duties and may act as the Water Meter & Service Supervisor in the absence of higher authority, as delegated.

Typical Duties

Each position in this classification may not include all the duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be performed.

Under general supervision:

Reads and interprets plot book maps (City map with underground facilities) to locate water valves
Analyzes and solves water meter, backflow prevention devices, and fire services related problems, such as dealing with customer service calls and field checks
Makes minor service repairs such as fixing leaks in water meters, meter couplings, water dripping from back flow prevention devices, and trimming bushes to read water meters to ensure registers are clean to read
Operates standard pickup trucks and valve operating machine for every day field work, including field testing water meters, back flow prevention devices, and fire services
Uses hand tools such as adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, off-set pliers to install and remove water meters and backflow prevention devices from a variety of locations
Disassembles and reassembles water meters using hand tools such as an adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, off-set pliers, screw drivers, scrapers, and wire brushes
Writes field notes, office reports, and technician records to document service and inventory for future repairs, testing, rebuilds and customer inquiries
Cleans, tests, repairs, and maintains water meters and backflow prevention devices
Operates hand and power tools such as bead blaster cabinet and hydro cabinet to clean, repair, and test water meters and back flow prevention devices
Reads meters, shuts off water, or installs flow restrictors on delinquent accounts
Deals courteously and professionally with customers and those contacted in the course of work to respond to complaints and service requests
May assist in enforcing City’s water conservation mandates
Assists in billing, such as confirming fire service meter reading/usage for fire service surcharges
May monitor workshop operations, billing, and stocking in the supervisor’s absence and
Performs other related duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of:

The various types of water meters and backflow prevention devices, their operation and the methods and equipment used in their testing and repair
Water meter, backflow prevention device, and fire services cleaning procedures
The basic principles and practices of water conservation programs
Billing rules and procedures for water meters, backflow prevention devices, and fire services
Environmental and safety practices, procedures and standards

Ability to:

Perform accurate and precise mechanical work, including assembling and disassembling water meters and backflow prevention devices using proper hand-eye coordination
Accurately operate hand and power tools, such as adjustable wrench, pipe wrench, off-set pliers, screw drivers, scrapers, and write brushes to conduct field work
Maintain stock records and adequate levels of supplies, parts and equipment
Maintain records of meter locations and completed maintenance work
Effectively handle multiple priorities, organize workload, and meet deadlines
Follow oral and written directions
Read and interpret drawings, blueprints, and plot book maps
Communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing
Deal tactfully and courteously with others
Use available computer hardware and software to enter daily reports, field notes, office reports, and technician records
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including the general public
Work in a team-based environment and achieve common goals
Walk or stand for extended periods of time
Bend, stoop, reach, carry, crawl, climb, and lift as necessary to perform assigned duties

Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of the Water Meter & Service Supervisor, or other supervisor as assigned.

Supervision Exercised

May supervise personnel in Water Service Technician I's, and temporary or as-needed employees as assigned.

Other Requirements

May be required to work shifts, weekends, and odd and unusual hours in the performance of duties and emergency situations
Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment

Approved, March 2008