Water Utility Locator

General Duty Statement

Locate, identify, and mark underground water and sewer utilities before construction or other projects in an area. Performs related work as assigned. This is a non-supervisory role requiring a high level of self-direction.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

Provide for safe excavation that minimizes accidental damage or disruption of service using a combination of skilled use of locating equipment, GIS, interpreting maps or diagrams, and semiskilled marking of utility infrastructure that may be potentially impacted by such excavation.

Supervision Received

Works under the general guidance and direction of the Water Utility Operations Manager or other designated supervisor with independence in decisions related to assignments. 

Supervision Exercised 

None. 

Essential Functions & Competencies

• Research the history of utility infrastructures in the rights of way and customer premises, document any irregularities, report/enforce utility separation requirements, and provide customer support for contractors and homeowners.
• Identifies, locates, and marks the location of City of Fort Dodge subsurface utilities in order to minimize accidental damage or disruption of service due to construction excavation activities. 
• Perform a variety of skilled and semiskilled activities to facilitate safe excavation. These activities include locating and marking existing City-owned underground infrastructure including water lines, water valves, and wastewater lines. May assist in locating and marking of City-owned fiber optic mains and services.
• Exercise considerable initiative in moving efficiently through the day's work assignments. Perform all work in a timely, professional, and efficient manner. Escalate investigation or higher-level issues as needed.
• Interpret job order tickets from Iowa One Call, email requests, phone calls, blueprints and maps, including schematic and plat maps, to efficiently route and perform duties.
• Operate small and medium-sized City vehicles in a safe and courteous manner; maintain a professional appearance.
• Respond with on-site service to routine ticket requests, emergencies, turn-offs, and relocates according to City policies and procedures. 
• Review proposed construction plans and attend inspection meetings.
• Report occupational safety violations or hazards. 
• Act as a water and sewer utility liaison, effectively communicating with excavators, utility reps, and company personnel regarding underground facilities.
• Clearly mark utility locations through the utilization of paint, flags, matchsticks; communicate relevant information to excavation personnel or other appropriate authorities.
• Provide accurate documentation and/or sketches related to all locates completed. Use computer or other devices to document and close out job orders.
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail and commitment to working safely.
• Verify identification numbers and records readings to assure accurate billing and records are maintained.
• Perform light excavation with a shovel, to expose buried utilities when necessary.
• Assists with repairs and maintenance on utility equipment and buildings.
• Assists with work tasks in other divisions of the Public Works Department, including snow removal activities and other duties, as assigned.
• Assist service personnel on installation and maintenance projects as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of general utility construction and safety practices.

• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Effective written and oral communication skills for individual interactions with the public, including patience and courtesy.

• Organizational skills necessary to prioritize and maintain related records through the use of a database or applicable software.

• Ability to anticipate, analyze, make decisions and systematically take action to solve complex problems using resourcefulness, tact, and sound judgment.
• Conflict resolution skills.

• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Strong ability to plan and prioritize work to meet critical deadlines; taking appropriate initiative to complete duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.

• Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks. 
• Ability to foster a spirit of teamwork and support when interacting with staff and others.
• Ability to use GIS software and other automation related techniques for personal computers to maximize efficiency.
• Able to self-manage and communicate with supervisors and customers in a timely and productive manner.

Essential Physical & Mental Abilities

Requires the following with or without reasonable accommodations:

• Sufficient personal mobility which permits the employee to  continuously move about the office and visit various job sites throughout the city.  
• Sufficient manual dexterity which permits the employee to operate machine, tools and equipment. 

• Frequently accesses low and high areas with additional equipment, ascends/descends stairs, maintains coordination, and engages in repetitive motions (kneeling, reaching)

• Sufficient alertness and considerable mental and visual concentration to ensure attention to detail and accuracy.
• Sufficient mental capacity which permits sound decision-making and good judgment.

• Occasionally use a respirator.
• Operates job related equipment and tools, exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Occasionally perform work indoors and routinely perform work outdoors in sometimes inclement weather with moderate to high noise level. 

• Frequent exposure to dirt, noise, fumes and temperature extremes.  

• Subject to hazards including a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working in places of height or close quarters (i.e., crawl spaces, trenches, excavations, small enclosed rooms, narrow aisles of passageways).
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace or citizens encountered during work.

• Ability to pass employment physicals including drug testing.

Minimum Qualifications

• Six (6) months customer service (examples include: call center, restaurants, retail) experience.
• Overall excellent communication and customer service skills.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Valid State driver's license, including a DMV record that is deemed acceptable by the City. Must meet the requirements of the City’s motor vehicle policy.  Must be insurable and maintain insurability.
• Must be able to effectively communicate (orally in person and over the telephone and in writing using electronic devices and handwritten) in English with other employees, businesses and community members.
• CDL preferred, not required. Prefer experience operating various motor vehicles such as front-end loader, bobcat, vac truck, jet sewer cleaner, etc.