Utility Service Worker - Senior

POSITION INFORMATION

This is a promotional recruitment - only permanent and/or probationary County employees are eligible to apply.

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To perform complex and difficult duties in the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of wastewater collection, water distribution, and fire suppression systems; to perform maintenance on wastewater, water treatment, and related facilities with a high degree of skill and independent judgment; and to exercise technical and functional supervision over maintenance and technical staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level class in the Utility Service Worker series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken and the nature of the public contact made. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series and exercise technical and functional supervision over maintenance and technical staff. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from a Utility Service Crew Supervisor and/or higher-level management staff.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over maintenance and technical staff and/or other designated crew members.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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

• Participate in the coordination and scheduling of assigned projects and areas of responsibility; communicate and act as liaison with other departments, divisions, project managers, and outside contractors during all phases of project completion.
• Assist in establishing project parameters and resource requirements within assigned area(s) of responsibility; designate quantity and type of materials and supplies needed; estimate cost and layout of job; purchase materials and supplies.
• Provide lead supervision to assigned staff and crew members; assign and schedule tasks; direct the work performed.
• Assist supervisor in determining training needs of assigned staff; provide training to staff as needed; provide input into employee performance evaluations upon request; communicate with supervisor regarding employee work performance, including deficiencies.
• 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 prepare reports and other documents as required.
• May assist Electrical Instrument and Control Technicians with the inspection, maintenance, and repair of electrical and electronic systems, including engines, controls, and alarms.
• Make confined space entries into manholes and sewer pump stations.
• When assigned to shop maintenance, perform preventive maintenance and repair on vehicles, heavy equipment, and other specialized equipment used by Utility Services.
• Inspect work performed and notify supervisor of any concerns or issues.
• 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

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 a Utility Service Worker 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 certificate of training in the 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.
  
• Possession of Certificate in Wastewater Collection System Maintenance, Grade II, as issued by the California Water Environment Association within twelves (12) months of employment.
  
• Possession of a valid Class A driver's license with air brake and tanker endorsements.
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

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 construction and maintenance of utility services, including wastewater collection and water distribution systems, pipeline sizing, and the installation and operation of de-energized pumps and engines.
• Use and purpose of materials, tools, equipment, and methods used in building trades activities.
• Methods of traffic control.
• Vehicle codes and safety practices relevant to operating light and moderately heavy vehicles and equipment.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• Pertinent local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and laws.
• Principles and practices of project management, coordination, and inspection.
• Principles and practices of recordkeeping.
• Office procedures, methods, computer equipment, and relevant software.
• Basic principles and practices of providing lead supervision and training to others.
• 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.
• Train, assign, and monitor the work of assigned staff.
• Make accurate estimates of materials, work hours, and costs required in assigned utility service projects.
• Operate a variety of equipment and tools, including motorized light and moderately heavy equipment, hand tools, power tools, and air tools.
• Assist in operating and maintaining electric or electronic equipment.
• Use specialized tools and equipment applicable to specific area of assignment, including television cameras and various meters.
• Interact fairly and courteously with others.
• Safely and effectively perform duties and operate equipment in regular traffic areas.
• Perform the more complex utility maintenance and repair duties.
• Perform minor service, repair, and adjustment of various mechanical utility service and maintenance equipment and tools.
• Remain current with technology associated with utility service and maintenance functions.
• Work assigned shift, including weekends, holidays, and odd or irregular hours; be subject to emergency call-out and work unusual and prolonged work schedules; work multiple or mandatory shifts during emergencies, seasonally-caused circumstances, or special projects.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
• 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.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Bethany Clinkenbeard, Administrative Technician, at bclinkenbeard@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4669.

Closing Date/Time: 10/8/2025 5:00:00 PM

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• Placer County

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