DEFINITION: Under immediate supervision, performs work of moderate difficulty in the repair, installation, and maintenance of water mains, valves, service lines, hydrants, and manholes which requires unskilled to semi-skilled labor; operates a variety of vehicles and heavy equipment; works to improve the overall reliability of water system components.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

Performs unskilled and semi-skilled labor tasks in constructing and/or maintaining water system components.

Responsible for safety in trenches and locating underground utility infrastructures.

Performs hand shoveling during trench excavation; saws DIP pipe and makes water main and water service repairs and connections using a variety of different types of fittings.

Operates equipment as required including dump trucks, backhoes, and other vehicles and equipment necessary to complete repairs. 

Restores work areas with backfill, concrete, topsoil, and seed.

Picks up, sweeps up, and disposes of debris associated with work sites and work areas.

Safely operates assigned City vehicles and equipment.

Responsible for job daily assignments including completing all required work orders, performing general labor, and ensuring that assigned job sites have been cleaned and left without safety hazards.

Responsible for the daily maintenance of assigned City vehicle, including checking and maintaining fluid levels, checking vehicle safety features, and washing and cleaning interiors and exteriors.

Picks up and delivers barricades and flashers to specified locations.

Maintains tools and equipment in good working order.

Loads and unloads trucks as necessary.

Performs mandatory standby duty; receives and responds to emergency after-hours calls.

Participates in snow removal operations of City streets, alleys, and parking lots including spreading salt and sand as required.

Adheres to all safety procedures, practices, and requirements.

Makes every reasonable effort to continually improve the manner in which the job is performed and increase the quality of service to the public.

Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.

18. Performs related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of basic maintenance, equipment, and tool operation. Ability to operate heavy equipment such as trucks, trailers, loaders, air hammers, saws, as well as hand tools, shovels, rakes and brooms. Skill in reading, following and understanding verbal instructions and performing basic math skills. Must be able to communicate effectively with coworkers and supervisors and demonstrate excellent internal and external customer service skills. Ability to perform moderate to heavy physical labor and perform occasional lifting of objects weighing over 50 pounds; to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Completion of a High School diploma or GED.  Six (6) months of experience in general laboring tasks or in related work; or, any equivalent combination of training and experience.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is performed outdoors in all kinds of weather. Employees are required to take appropriate safety measures working around excavation equipment, trenches and excavation sites and vehicle traffic. Standing, walking, reaching, handling equipment and tools, climbing ladders, crawling, squatting and bending are daily physical demands. Repetitive lifting of items weighing over 50 pounds is required.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a valid Illinois Driver's License and a Class B CDL permit at the time of hire.

Ability to obtain a Class B Illinois Commercial Driver’s License within six months of hire.

Effective March 3, 2004: All new hires shall be required to obtain a Class A license as required by position.

Ability to work well with the general public.

Residency Requirement:

Modified November 15, 2021: All employees (except Police Sworn and Fire Sworn) hired on or   after June 1, 2018 shall reside anywhere in Winnebago County or within fifteen (15) miles of  Rockford City Hall (425 E. State Street Rockford, IL 61104) within six (6) months after their introductory period.  Department Heads shall live within the municipal boundaries of the city of Rockford.

Effective June 1, 2018 all newly hired employees, including newly hired Department Heads, shall live within the municipal boundaries of City of Rockford within six (6) months of their completion of their introductory period.

Classified employees hired after January 1, 1984 may live anywhere in Winnebago County or anywhere within an area fifteen (15) miles from the Public Safety Building within six (6) months of their date of completion of probation. Employees hired prior to January 1, 1984 shall be subject to their conditions of employment in effect at that time.