Water Utility Worker

Come join the City of Grand Forks Water Distribution team! As a Water Utility Worker, you’ll help maintain and operate the City’s water distribution system, ensuring clean, safe water for residents and businesses. Your work will directly impact the public, environmental safety, and infrastructure reliability.

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions - Treatment:
1. Operate and maintain water treatment plant equipment, facilities and grounds; fill chemical hoppers on mechanical feed systems.
2. Perform preventive plant maintenance; conduct periodic plant inspections to identify potential problems; assist in the repair of complex system failures; complete service and repairs.
3. Aid in water flow adjustments and assist with monitoring plant systems control panel; train lower level staff in plant operation.
4. Collect water samples and assist with chemical analysis of water; compute chemical feed dosages and adjust chemical feeders; participate in unloading chemicals and assist with chemical inventory.
5. Clean designated area of plant and maintain plant grounds; mow grass and shovel snow from sidewalks.
6. Answer emergency phone and radio calls and make referrals when necessary; record all emergency calls received.
7. Perform water screening tests for contractors, the public and other City departments.
8. Adhere to safe work practices and procedures.
9. Assist with monitoring pressure, tank levels and lift stations on plant systems control panel; operate water transfer station, ground storage tank, pumping station and alternate boilers.

Essential Functions –Distribution and Metering:
1. Maintain and repair the City's water distribution system including water mains, pump houses, storage tanks and hydrants.
2. Assist with general metering tasks such as installing and removal of meters for storage; test meters and make repair meters in shop or on site; install and repair remote metering systems; Assist in the provision of services to customers; investigate causes of low water pressure, high water consumption, water discoloration or odor, and unexplained water in basements and other places and test meters to meet AWWA specifications.
3. Participate in the maintenance and repair of water mains; locate and pinpoint water main breaks; assist in water main and hydrant repairs; assist in providing temporary water service during water main replacements.
4. Operate light and heavy construction and maintenance equipment including tractors, backhoe, front-end loader, drills, pumps, jackhammer, tapping equipment and pipe cutting equipment in a safe and effective manner; Participate in the operation of line inspection equipment to survey, open and repair lines; review plans and specifications for location of lines; inspect for high concentration of hazardous gases.
5. Maintain detailed and comprehensive records of all work performed on water distribution system valves, lines, water mains, pumping stations, hydrants and equipment.
6. Participate in cutting and breaking asphalt and concrete surfaces; repair and participate in the pavement of roadways, sidewalks and related structures.
7. Receive and respond to questions and complaints from the public either by telephone or in person; investigate areas of high consumption and low water pressure; repair water leaks; repair and replace meters in the field.
8. Maintain inventory for water distribution shop; maintain records for inventory receipts, issues and price changes; assist in ordering parts, supplies, and materials; check shipments and packing slips for accuracy; maintain proper warehousing of parts and materials; keep daily inventory log and perform computer entry of monthly transactions Coordinate daily automated meter reading data with utility billing.
9. Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; inform area residents of water main shut-offs; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.