Water Distribution Supervisor IV/V - Chief Distribution Operator

The Position

The current vacancy is for Water Distribution Supervisor IV/V - Chief Distribution Operator in the Water Distribution Division of the Water Department. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Water Distribution Supervisor IV/V - Chief Distribution Operator vacancies during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

Under general direction, the Water Distribution Supervisor IV/V-Chief Distribution Operator (CDO) are the full supervisory classifications in the Water Department Distribution Division and are responsible for planning and directing the work of field maintenance crews and performing assignments in the construction, maintenance, and repair of City water distribution systems, streets, and sidewalks.

Recruitment #25-024

Selection Timeline: (The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director.)

• On Thursday , 10/17/24 the recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:

• Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online application process.
• Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Weeks of 10/21 and 10/28/24: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. At the end of this timeframe top candidates will receive an invitation to attend an oral board examination to determine placement on the eligible list.
• Week of 11/04 or 11/11/24: Oral examination interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. This job posting may be updated with more information about the date of the oral board.
• Selection interviews will be conducted for finalists following the results of the oral examination.

Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Plans and schedules work programs, projects, and assignments; coordinates work activities between crews, with other City personnel, and with outside contractors.
• Recommends the hiring of new employees; develops and coordinates skill and safety training programs; supervises and evaluates the performance of workers; maintains discipline and productivity of crews.
• Monitors activities to ensure compliance with safety regulations, performance and operation standards and other City policies and procedures; responsible for ensuring the safety of the workers, equipment and public at work sites.
• Determines quantities and types of materials, tools, equipment and labor needed to complete assigned projects; estimates, selects and orders the supplies, materials and parts used by workers; schedules equipment; arranges for the delivery or pick-up of supplies; contracts with outside vendors for various services.
• Responds to questions and complaints from the public related to division activities and explains City or Water Department policies; consults with crew leaders to resolve technical, operational or personnel problems; troubleshoots complex technical problems, develops alternative solutions and makes recommendations for action.
• Assists with the development of the division budget by developing time and material estimates and recommending major equipment purchases and operational changes; implements and controls the adopted budget.
• Supports long range planning for facility and equipment improvements and distribution enhancements.
• Maintains daily logs and records of work performed and materials used; completes work orders and routine reports as required; utilizes and maintains related computer programs and data bases.
• Develops and directs maintenance programs for equipment, tools, flushing, and valve maintenance.
• Performs water quality field tests and collects water quality samples.
• Performs the more complex maintenance and repair of tools and equipment.
• Operates equipment such as backhoes, wheel and track front-end loaders, large trucks, and truck-trailer combinations, and may perform field maintenance on heavy equipment and related vehicles.
• May conduct leak surveys by operating electronic leak detection equipment and completing logs, orders, and records.
• May perform water related infrastructure locates with electronic locating equipment and complete related work orders.
• May perform arc and gas welding in the repair of fabrication of equipment, tools, parts and fixtures.
• May assist in the procurement of construction services by informal bid and assist in the administration of any such contract for construction services.
• May assist crews by performing Water Distribution Maintenance Worker duties, including installing, connecting, relocating, and replacing new water mains, service lines, valves, pumps, meter boxes and fire hydrants; cutting and fitting pipes and making taps; safely setting placement of traffic control devices; digging, widening and backfilling trenches and other excavations; and, performing street and sidewalk repairs.
• May be required to perform duties related to confined space entry and rescue.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires sitting, standing, walking on level, uneven and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when operating assigned equipment. The ability to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 75 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this outdoor position works in all weather conditions, including wet, heat, and cold. The incumbent may be exposed to fumes, dust chemicals, and air contaminants. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and work in heavy vehicle traffic conditions.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or tested equivalent; and
• Four (4) years’ experience related to the operation, maintenance, and repair of water distribution system; and
• Two (2) years supervisory experience.

Successful completion of the City of Santa Cruz Employee and Leadership Development program is accepted in lieu of one year of supervisory experience.

Knowledge:

• Techniques, equipment, and materials used in the installation, maintenance, and repair of water mains, meters, valves, pumps, motors, hydrants, services, streets, sidewalks, and related facilities.
• Proper methods and techniques of water quality sampling and field testing.
• Current regulations, principles, and practices related to water distribution systems.
• Proper use and care of common hand tools.
• Principles, practices and procedures of workplace safety, including OSHA standards, occupational hazards and standard safety practices; safety principles related to traffic control, trenching and shoring work in confined spaces, asbestos pipe/coatings, operation of handling, use and storage of hazardous materials and safety procedures for operating equipment and power tools.
• State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water (DDW) regulations regarding operator certification, maintenance, repair, record-keeping, and reporting requirements.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.
• Water distribution operation, including piping, sources of supply, maintenance system, water quality, disinfection, water-related electricity, and the operation principles of pumps and motors.
• Water distribution mathematics, including water terms and definitions, water measurements, water pressure, formulas, and units and conversion factors, and basic mathematical principles, including fractions, decimals, proportions, measurements and simple algebraic formulas.
• Mechanical and hydraulic principles.
• Computerized maintenance management systems.
• Best management practices and regulations applicable to discharge of water to the environment related to main breaks, erosion control and storm water, planned system flushings, etc. as dictated by state agencies such as the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Air Quality Control Board, and the State Regional Water Quality Control Board, and from federal agencies such as the EPA, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and local agencies, including the County of Santa Cruz.
• Water-related electricity and the operating principles of pumps and motors.
• Techniques, equipment, and materials used in the maintenance and repair of streets and sidewalks after water main repairs.
• Knowledge of the operating principles and practices of pumps, motors, valves and related controls, and water-related electricity.
• Principles and practices of supervision, motivation, appraisal, and training.

Skills:

• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Leadership and collaboration.
• Conflict resolution.
• Read and interpret engineered plans, sketches, drawings, diagrams, construction markers, specifications, technical manuals, and regulations.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft productivity software, including MS Word and EXCEL, and other database and web applications.
• Familiarity with electronic devices for the collection of field data and the use of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).

Abilities:

• Plan, schedule, coordinate, and monitor a variety of programs and projects.
• Coordinate, supervise, and direct the work of subordinate staff; effectively and appropriately train, evaluate and discipline staff.
• Interpret, apply and explain the principles, practices and techniques pertaining to water distribution operations.
• Effectively resolve complex technical and maintenance problems.
• Recognize unusual or dangerous operating conditions and make sound judgments to resolve such situations.
• Prepare and maintain accurate paperwork such as records, logs, orders, surveys and routine reports.
• Read and interpret engineered plans, sketches, drawings, diagrams, construction markers, specifications, technical manuals, and regulations.
• Perform accurate calculations and estimates of materials and labor.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Use a computer for MS Office and database applications for maintenance management.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and act in a courteous and diplomatic manner with members of the public.
• Perform utility locates and leak detection surveys with electronic equipment.
• Collect various water quality samples and perform related distribution-related water quality tests.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Operate power tools and equipment related to the construction maintenance trades; perform maintenance and repairs on tools and equipment.
• Operate construction equipment such as backhoes, wheel and track front-end loaders, vactor trucks, and truck-trailer combinations.
• Safely perform heavy manual labor and safely handle hazardous materials.
• Foster collaboration within the Distribution section and among different sections to promote knowledge sharing, innovation, and the achievement of organizational goals.

Licenses and Certificates

• Must possess a valid California Class C driver’s license.
• Must obtain a valid California Restricted Class A drivers with 5th wheel, tanker, and air brake endorsements or a California Unrestricted Class A driver license with appropriate endorsements within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Must possess at time of appointment and continue to maintain a Water Distribution Operator’s Certificate from the SWRCB for each of the following positions:
  • Water Distribution Supervisor IV: Grade IV (D4)
  • Water Distribution Supervisor V-CDO: Grade V (D5)

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of certification training as a forklift operator within one year of appointment.
• Must reside within a 30-minute response time by the end of probationary period.
• Successful completion of certification training as a forklift operator trenching/shoring competent person, and confined space training within one year of appointment.
• Successful completion of asbestos pipe training within one year of appointment.
• Willingness to perform on-call duty assignment and callback work as assigned, which may include holidays, weekends, evenings, and overnight work.
• Willingness to wear a uniform.

Water Distribution Supervisor IV

• Must obtain Grade V Water Distribution Operator’s Certificate from the State Water Resources Control Board within two years of appointment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification in First Aid and C.P.R.

Career Ladder

• Water Director
• Deputy Director/Operations Manager
• Superintendent of Distribution
• Water Distribution Supervisor V-Chief Distribution Officer
• Water Distribution Supervisor IV
• Water Distribution Crew Leader IV
• Water Distribution Crew Leader III
• Senior Water Distribution Operator
• Water Distribution Operator III
• Water Distribution Operator II
• Water Distribution Operator I-Operator-in-Training

(1) The salary for this classification includes compensation for the CA class A driver’s license with tanker endorsement; therefore, no separate, additional pay applies.