Water Crew Member

REPORTS TO : Assistant Superintendent

EMPLOYEE STATUS : Regular

SCHEDULE : Full-time

STANDARD HOURS PER WEEK : 40.00

OVERTIME STATUS : Non-Exempt PRIMARY LOCATION : Kenedy, TX, 78119

TRAVEL : Up to 40% of the time

STARTING SALARY RANGE : $18.00/hour

Summary/Objective:

The Water/Wastewater Crew Member is responsible for performing manual labor in the installation, repair, and maintenance of the city's water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Working as part of a team, this position assists with water main repairs, leak detection, sewer line maintenance, excavation, and infrastructure improvements to ensure the reliable operation of municipal utilities. Key responsibilities include digging trenches, lifting heavy materials, using hand and power tools, assisting with pipeline repairs, flushing hydrants, clearing sewer blockages, and restoring worksites after repairs. The Water/Wastewater Crew Member also responds to emergency utility repairs, ensuring timely service restoration. Success in this role is demonstrated through efficient completion of utility maintenance tasks, adherence to safety regulations, and contribution to the overall reliability of the water and wastewater systems.

Supervisory Status:

This position carries no authority over personnel supervision.

Essential Functions:

- Assist in the installation, maintenance, and repair of water mains, service lines, and sewer lines, excavating, cutting, and replacing damaged pipes to ensure proper system function.

- Perform manual labor in utility maintenance, including digging trenches, shoveling materials, and backfilling excavations, restoring worksites to a safe and functional condition.

- Complete assigned work orders, accurately documenting repairs, maintenance activities, and service requests in accordance with city procedures.

- Read, install, and maintain water meters, ensuring accurate readings, detecting malfunctions, and reporting discrepancies for further investigation.

- Operate and maintain hand and power tools, including jackhammers, pipe wrenches, saws, tampers, and pumps, ensuring safe and efficient completion of tasks.

- Follow safety procedures and traffic control protocols, working in high-traffic areas, confined spaces, and excavation sites to minimize hazards and ensure compliance with worksite regulations.

Minimum Experience:

· No prior experience required; however, experience in construction, plumbing, excavation, or utility maintenance is preferred.

· A high school diploma or GED is preferred but not required.

· Must possess a valid Texas Class C driver's license

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Basic plumbing and pipefitting techniques, including cutting, threading, and repairing pipes.
• Proper use of hand and power tools, including safety practices for excavation and trenching.
• Basic traffic control procedures, ensuring safe work zones while working on or near roadways.
• Worksite safety protocols, including confined space entry, trench safety, and PPE requirements.

Skills in:

• Operating tools and equipment, such as jackhammers, shovels, wrenches, tampers, saws, and pumps.
• Performing physically demanding tasks, including lifting, bending, carrying, and digging in various environmental conditions.
• Following instructions and working as part of a team, assisting utility crews in completing complex repair tasks.
• Problem-solving and troubleshooting, identifying leaks, blockages, or damaged infrastructure and assisting in repairs.

Ability to:

• Perform strenuous manual labor, working for extended periods in physically demanding environments.
• Work outdoors in extreme weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and wind.
• Follow safety guidelines and procedures, ensuring compliance with excavation, traffic control, and utility maintenance regulations.
• Respond to emergency repairs, working on-call shifts as needed to assist in major system failures or urgent utility repairs.
• Communicate effectively with team members and supervisors, following instructions and contributing to efficient repair efforts.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule for the position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility required for evenings, weekends, and on-call duties. Due to the nature of municipal wastewater operations, both positions are subject to emergency callouts for sewer overflows, lift station failures, collection system blockages, treatment plant malfunctions, and other infrastructure emergencies that require immediate attention to prevent environmental contamination and ensure public health compliance. The role requires 24/7 on-call availability on a rotating or assigned basis, ensuring a rapid response to sewer backups, equipment failures, compliance violations, and severe weather events affecting the city's wastewater treatment and collection systems. This is an on-site position with no remote or hybrid work options, as physical presence is required for system monitoring, emergency response, regulatory compliance, and personnel oversight.

Work Environment:

The Water/Wastewater Crew Member primarily works outdoors (90%), performing physically demanding tasks in excavation sites, roadways, utility easements, and confined spaces. The role requires frequent exposure to varying weather conditions (70%), including extreme heat, cold, rain, and wind. This position involves moderate to high noise levels (50%), particularly when working near heavy equipment, jackhammers, and power tools. Potential exposure to hazardous conditions (40%), including biohazards, chemicals, sewage, confined spaces, and moving traffic, requires adherence to safety protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements. The role also includes working around high-traffic areas, requiring proper use of barricades and traffic control devices to ensure worksite safety. Employees may be required to work in trenches, ditches, and excavation sites, often in wet, muddy, or hazardous conditions.

Physical Demands:

The Water/Wastewater Crew Member role requires constant physical activity (95%), including standing, walking, bending, crouching, kneeling, and climbing to perform utility maintenance and excavation work. The position involves prolonged periods of standing (70%), particularly when digging, installing pipes, or assisting in repairs.

The role requires frequent lifting and carrying (50%) of materials, tools, and debris, with occasional lifting of over 75 pounds (20%), such as large pipes, wrenches, or excavation materials. The position also requires reaching, pushing, and pulling (40%) while handling utility components and using manual and power tools. Fine motor skills (40%) are necessary for using hand tools, adjusting valves, and securing pipe fittings, while gross motor skills (80%) are required for maneuvering heavy objects, handling excavation tasks, and operating power equipment. The role demands high visual acuity (80%) for identifying leaks, reading utility maps, and safely operating tools and machinery. Hearing acuity (70%) is required for monitoring alarms, responding to instructions, and ensuring safety in high-noise environments. Due to the physically demanding nature of the role, stamina and endurance (75%) are essential for completing tasks efficiently in varying environmental conditions. Employees must also be prepared to work in confined spaces (20%), such as manholes and sewer lines, and at elevated heights (10%), such as ladders or excavation sites.

Disclaimer :

The City of Kenedy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Kenedy provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during all phases of employment. The City of Kenedy will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Applicants or employees requiring accommodations should contact the City of Kenedy at (830) 583-2230 or via email at [email protected] .

All employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment process, including a drug screening conducted in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, a job-related pre-employment physical examination consistent with ADA requirements, and a criminal history check conducted in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and other applicable fair hiring practices and regulations. Pre-employment screenings, including drug testing and physical examinations, will be conducted in accordance with the ADA and other applicable regulations, ensuring they are job-related and consistent with business necessity. The City of Kenedy will provide applicants with the required notices and obtain written authorization prior to conducting any background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements. Employment with the City of Kenedy is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice. This policy may not be altered except by a written agreement signed by the City Manager.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Extended hours
• Monday to Friday
• Nights as needed
• On call
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person