Water Service Technician I/II

Class Characteristics

NOTES:

• Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District is currently undergoing a classification and compensation study, which may result in an increase to the approved salary range on July 1, 2025. 

Under immediate (Water Service Technician I) to general (Water Service Technician II) supervision, performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties in the construction, installation, maintenance, disinfection, and repair of water mains, service lines, and water meters; operates the District’s water distribution system; shuts down, drains, fills, and flushes distribution mains during construction and repair; installs and troubleshoots links to District’s automated metering system; uses and operates a variety of manual and power tools and light to heavy power-driven equipment; and performs related duties as assigned.

Water Service Technician I – This is the entry-level classification in the Water Service Technician series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine duties in the construction, installation, maintenance, disinfection, and repair of water mains, service lines, and water meters. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Water Service Technician II level but are not expected to function at the same skill level, and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

 

Water Service Technician II – This is the fully qualified journey-level classification in the Water Service Technician series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Water Service Technician I level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions 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 of the work unit.

 

This class is distinguished from the Senior Water Service Technician in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series and provides technical and functional direction over lower level staff.

 

Positions in the Water Service Technician class series are flexibly staffed; positions at the Water Service Technician II level are normally filled by advancement from the Water Service Technician I level; progression to the Water Service Technician II level is dependent on (i) management affirmation that the position is performing the full range of duties assigned to the classification; (ii) satisfactory work performance; (iii) the incumbent meeting the minimum qualifications for the classification including any licenses and certifications; and (iv) management approval for progression to the Water Service Technician II level.

 

Essential Duties

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions, and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

 

Positions at the Water Service Technician I level may perform some of these duties and responsibilities in a learning capacity.

• Performs semi-skilled and skilled duties related to the construction, installation, service, maintenance and repair of mains, service lines and related appurtenances used in the storage and transmission of potable water.
• Monitors, inspects and maintains the District’s distribution system; troubleshoots and resolves issues with distribution system; disinfects water mains and tank reservoirs.
• Observes variations in operating conditions by interpreting meter, gauge, graph readings, and tests results to determine water pressure, chemical use, residuals, temperatures, and flow requirements to maintain proper operating conditions.
• Exercises, operates and maintains valves including distribution, transmission, manual and automatic air vents and blow offs.
• Performs water meter maintenance, including installing new meters, testing and repairing meters of various sizes, repairing leaks, and replacing meters as needed; installs service lines and accounts for the installation of new and replacement meters.
• Takes and confirms accurate water meter registration/consumption readings; makes equipment adjustments, including routine re-settings; tests and makes repairs to large and meters.
• Performs a variety of skilled duties in support of the Automated Meter Repair (AMI) team including: reading, building, programming, installing, activating, inspecting, diagnosing, replacing, and routing AMI meters; Uses diagnostics tools to perform trouble shooting duties on all automated meters and determine cause of malfunctions.
• Receives and responds to service calls and customer complaints regarding issues such as leaks, high or low pressure, consumption levels, and water quality; turns water service on and off; resolves or refers issues to supervisor.
• Takes samples to measure system performance and to ensure compliance with water quality standards; delivers samples for further testing and analysis; maintains records.
• Prepares and maintains detailed logs, records, and reports on a variety of water distribution system operations, tests, system maintenance performed, operating conditions, and inspection results.
• Reads and interprets utility system maps and blueprints, including Underground Service Alert marking and notification; locates buried valves, air vents, lines and services.
• Works in vaults and other confined spaces, utilizing proper safety techniques and equipment in accordance with District safety policies and procedures; lifts and removes vault lids, ventilates vaults and performs vault repairs.
• Operates and maintains light, medium, and heavy-duty equipment such as backhoes, skip loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, and other equipment appropriate to the functional area of assignment.
• Operates a variety of hand and power tools and equipment related to work assignment as instructed.
• Excavates concrete, pavement, and dirt and sets up concrete forms as necessary, and backfills open trenches and complete surfaces “to-finish” as appropriate.
• Sets up up traffic control including signs and barricades and directs traffic around work sites.
• Installs, repairs and replaces corp stop, angle meter stop and curb stop valves; locates and exercises small and large water main valves.
• Maintains, rebuilds, and adjusts distribution system pressure regulating stations; ensures pressure zones and stations are operating correctly; rebuilds valves and components; collects pressure data and performs flow tests and pressure checks; makes pressure and flow adjustments as required.
• Mitigates water quality impacts to the environment associated with water discharges from hydraulic testing of water system components and system repairs in compliance with Regional Water Quality Control Board requirements.Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or lower class of positions.
• Responds to after-hours emergencies and assists other staff as needed in emergency or relief situations.
• Performs SCADA duties as assigned.
• Performs on-call, stand by duty on a regular basis.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

 

Positions at the Water Service Technician I level may exercise some of these knowledge and abilities statements in a learning capacity.

• Maintenance principles, practices, tools, and materials for maintaining and repairing potable water distribution main and lateral pipeline systems, including complex residential and commercial water meters, valve cans, meter boxes, and water distribution valves.
• Basic mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles.
• Practices, methods, techniques, tools and equipment used in the reading, installation, testing, calibration, maintenance and repair of small, medium, and large water meters that utilize AMI components.
• Methods and techniques of troubleshooting AMI operational issues.
• Methods and techniques of inventory control and warranty tracking.
• Operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles, and light to heavy power equipment.
• Dig Alert procedures.
• Proper disinfection and biological testing procedures following the repair of water mains and installation of new pipelines.
• Basic troubleshooting and repair estimation principles and practices.
• Safe work methods and safety practices pertaining to the work, including CAL OSHA rules and standards.
• Traffic control procedures and traffic sign regulations.
• Water sampling and analysis techniques, and quality control practices.
• Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations in assigned areas of responsibility.
• Basic mathematical skills.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Operate, control, maintain, and repair water production systems, related infrastructure, and facilities.
• Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.
• Diagnose and repair a wide variety of small, medium, and large water meters.
• Use precision and diagnostic instruments to test and calibrate water meters.
• Safety and effectively use and operate hand and power tools, mechanical equipment, and light to heavy equipment required for the work.
• Locate underground utilities by use of blue prints and electronic locating equipment in accordance with Underground Service Alert (USA) regulations.
• Read, interpret, and apply technical information from manuals, drawings, specifications, layouts, blueprints, and schematics.
• Apply safe work practices including traffic control procedures, trench shoring, and confined space entry procedures.
• Perform basic mathematical computations.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience

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

 

Education:

• Water Service Technician I/II – Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Experience:

• Water Service Technician I – Two (2) years of experience in construction or public works, preferably performing water operations and heavy equipment operations.
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• Water Service Technician II – Two (2) years of experience as a Water Service Technician I with the District or similar water utility agency.

 

Licenses and Certifications:

• Water Service Technician I/II – Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C driver’s license by time of appointment. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class A driver’s license by time of appointment or within twelve (12) months of appointment.

 

• Water Service Technician I – Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate within eighteen (18) months of appointment.
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• Water Service Technician II – Possession of a Grade D3 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.