Utility Operator I


Job Details

Salary: $18.18 Hourly

Location : Sterling, CO

Job Type: regular Full time position with full benefits

Job Number: 11-00392

Department: Public Works

Division: Water

Opening Date: 01/03/2024

Primary Purpose

Performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled manual labor tasks in the maintenance, repair, and construction of roadways, public utilities, and other public facilities; uses hand tools, power hand tools, and operates light equipment in the course of work; assists with routine maintenance, aids in underground utility repair, works in confined spaces that may require ventilation to protect against toxic gases and fumes; inspects and troubleshoots reported issues; performs repair or construction tasks to support the functions of a division in a City department.
Essential functions

  1. Performs pre-trip inspection on vehicles according to prescribed procedures and logs preventive maintenance for vehicles, equipment, and motors; cleans and cares for all tools and equipment needed for job assignment; checks and maintains fluid levels of vehicles and equipment; schedules routine maintenance of equipment and reports and takes out of service malfunctioning equipment;
  2. Operates a variety of light to medium construction and maintenance equipment as necessary for the repair or maintenance of the water/wastewater utility divisions; performs service and repairs as needed to maintain City owned equipment and other public facilities (e.g., construction projects; minor repairs; troubleshooting minor electrical repairs; plumbing; and cleaning shop/work areas; etc.);
  3. Works with rotating on-call schedule;
  4. Utilizes appropriate department-issued personal protective equipment following all applicable safety rules and regulations;
  5. Carries a City- issued communication device for work-related communications while in Logan County;
  6. Performs other related functions as otherwise assigned, delegated or required by the Division Superintendent or lead worker.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
  • Maintenance practices related to public infrastructures and grounds;
  • Small equipment and facility maintenance and repair;
  • Light weight equipment operation sufficient to be able to perform maintenance, clean-up of minor construction projects;
  • Lifting techniques sufficient to be able to move heavy items;
  • Safety hazards and necessary safety precautions sufficient to be able to establish a safe work environment for self and others.
  • Safety practices regarding excavation and utility maintenance.
  • Exposure to pumps, valve, motors, piping and plumbing structures.
Ability to:
  1. Comprehend and follow simple written and/or oral instructions, and perform basic math operations;
  2. Demonstrate the safe operation and performance of minor maintenance of equipment associated with or used in course of accomplishing the primary purpose(s) of the position;
  3. Operate equipment used in the completion of daily objectives/goals consistent with operational needs of Division in which the individual is employed.
  4. Perform tasks which may be unique to the division or department;
  5. Represent Department/Division and the City of Sterling in a positive responsive manner to the public and fellow employees;
  6. Properly operate City vehicle(s);
  7. Deal with the public in a cordial, tactful and professional manner which serves to maintain and develop effective working relationships with clientele. Exercise sound judgment, reasoning and decision making which produces logical and consistent results and outcomes.
Physical Requirements:
  1. Physical requirements include ability to extend hands(s) and arm(s) in any direction; pick, pinch, work with fingers and palm as well as whole hand; some lifting and carrying objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds; some pushing, pulling, and climbing; move about on foot to accomplish tasks; push/pull, lift, move, draw/drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion for extended periods of time.
  2. Physical mobility sufficient to negotiate work areas to perform the primary purpose of the position.
  3. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate keyboard or devices requiring repetitive arm/hand movements.
  4. Cognitive ability sufficient to perform and understand and apply simple to complex mathematical concepts.
  5. Visual acuity sufficient to perform work which deals largely with preparing/reviewing reports and records, driving vehicles and for visual inspection which may involve small parts/defects in equipment.
  6. Hearing acuity sufficient to receive, comprehend and understand detailed information through oral communications, telephone conversations, radio traffic, etc., and to make fine discriminations in sounds in order to perform duties safely.

Education and Special Requirements

Education: High School completion or G.E.D. certificate
Experience: Experience and knowledge of agriculture work, construction laborer, or maintenance worker in maintenance of grounds, buildings, or similar facilities preferred.
Training/Certifications:
Depending on division:
  • Must obtain Level I Certification in Sewer Collections and/or Water Distribution within 1 year of employment and maintain during employment. Once certifications are obtained merit increase will be applied to base pay.
Preferred: State of Colorado Class B Commercial Driver's license with tanker endorsement. City of Sterling will work with employee to obtain within six months of hire.

Growth Opportunities: Opportunity to promote to Utility Operator II after six months of continuous employment.

POSITION WILL BE CLOSED WHEN FILLED

Having difficulty with the application website? Contact NEOGOV Customer Service at 877-###-####.

Having difficulty with the application website? Contact NEOGOV Customer Service at 877-###-####.

BENEFITS FOR THE CITY OF STERLING

The City of Sterling has an excellent and varied benefit program available to all full-time regular employees of the organization. Contained in the paragraphs below is a brief explanation of some of the elements that make up the benefit package. Most benefits are not available until the employee has completed at least six months of employment with the organization.

HEALTH INSURANCE

The City of Sterling offers health, dental and life insurance to full-time employees or employees that work 30 hours per week or more on a regular basis and their dependents. Insurance is provided through County Technical Services, Inc. (CTSI) in the County Health Pool (CHP) network. Employees choose doctors, hospitals, and other medical providers from a listing of groups that have contracted with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield. There are two plans to choose from:
  1. An $0 deductible per person, co-pay of $25 per visit; Prescription coverage is $50 deductible with varying schedules depending on drug choices. This coverage runs for the calendar year.
  2. An annual deductible of $1000 per person, co-pay of $35 per visit, hospital charges vary. Prescription coverage is $75 deductible with varying schedules depending on drug choices. This coverage runs for the calendar year.

Dental insurance includes a $50 deductible per person and 80% employer-20% employee coverage on most procedures after the deductible. Orthodontia coverage is 50%. The total benefit per person can be $1500 in a calendar year. There can be two cleanings each year. Premiums depend on what coverage has been chosen with the orthodontia coverage more.

For cost sharing information, please contact Human Resources.

Life insurance coverage is $20,000 for employee and $2000 for spouse and $1000 for each child.

All of these coverages start on the first of the month after 30 days of employment with the City of Sterling.

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY

This coverage commences the first day of the month following 6 months of full employment with the City of Sterling. Premiums paid by the City, as such benefits are taxable.

This insurance is available for employees that suffer an illness, injury, or other physical impairment not associated with their employment that requires the employee, for personal medical reasons associated with that event, to be absent for a period of time in excess of eighty working hours (120 hours for designated fire personnel). Paid Time Off may cover this 80- or 120-hour waiting or elimination period for the employee. Short-Term Disability or STD is available for 56 working days or 448 hours whichever applies to the employee. This will occur in a calendar period of 90 days. The amount paid to employees on STD is 70% of the pre-disability rate of pay during the duration of the STD subject to maximum amounts. Employees must meet eligibility requirements on a continuing basis. Earnings are taxable.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY

Long-Term Disability or LTD is available for any employee the first day of the month following 6 months of full of employment with the City of Sterling. The LTD pays 60% of pre-disability earnings subject to a maximum. It becomes effective after the completion of Short-Term Disability. The LTD is 24-hour coverage. Eligibility requirements must be met for LTD and are similar to the STD requirements. Earnings are taxable.

PAID TIME OFF

Regular employees who work at least 20 hours per week earn Paid Time Off (PTO). Paid Time Off may be used for vacations, illness, off the job injury, medical/dental appointments, personal business, child care problems, pregnancies, for care of immediate family members, funerals, travel time for funerals, or for any other valid absence as determined by the Department Head or his/her designee.

PTO commences to be accrued at the start of employment. After six months on the job, PTO may be utilized for unscheduled activities such as injury, illness or family emergency. This is referred to as Unscheduled PTO. After twelve months of employment, employees may use Scheduled PTO. This process is used for vacations, scheduled appointments, and personal business and like matters.

PTO is earned on a graduated accrual basis determined by the length of time an employee has been with the City on a continuing basis. There are maximum amounts of accrual dependent on the number of hours an employee works per week.

RETIREMENT

All non-sworn employees of the City of Sterling are covered under the Federal FICA program. This withholds 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare. The City matches that contribution. In addition, regular employees working 40 hours or more per week and employed over a year by the City are eligible to receive a supplemental retirement benefit upon reaching the age of 59 . This plan is arranged and funded by the City of Sterling with no contribution from covered employees. The covered employee directs the investment of the funds. The plan is portable and is fully vested to the employee immediately. Upon separation from the City, the funds become the property of the employee. This plan is not available to part-time or seasonal employees.

Retirement for classified or sworn employees is covered under the Fire and Police Pension Association and governed by the board of that association under statutes established by State of Colorado. The employee's contribution is 10% (increasing 1/2% through 2022 when employee's contribution will be 12%) and the City make a matching 8% contribution of the base rate of pay. The City and the employee also make a matching contribution of 1.45% for Medicare purposes.

WORKER'S COMPENSATION

As required by Colorado State Statute, the City provides Workers' Compensation Insurance coverage to pay for medical and compensation benefits for employees injured on the job. To assist in case management, the City utilizes a designated provider system in conjunction with the Sterling Regional MedCenter. This program helps monitor the progress of injured employees on the road to recovery and a quicker return to employment.

OTHER BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES ON A SUPPLEMENTAL BASIS

Deferred Compensation is an employee funded pre-tax retirement plan designed as a supplement to other retirement plans. Most employees have access to two of these plans, with Police Officers and Fire Engineers having access to three plans.

Pre-Paid Legal Services is a service for legal consultation made available on a subscriber basis.

Section 125 Plan is offered for employees to purchase certain insurance products on a pre-tax basis. Products include Cancer care, Intensive care and accident policies.

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS EXAMPLES OF BENEFITS AND PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE CITY OF STERLING TO ITS EMPLOYEES. NOT ALL EMPLOYEES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ALL PROGRAMS AND NOT ALL BENEFITS OF THE CITY OF STERLING ARE LISTED IN THIS SUMMARY.

01

Do you currently possess a Commercial Driver's License (CDL)?
  • Yes
  • No


02

What class and endorsement(s) are attached to your Commercial Driver's License (CDL)? If no CDL, please respond "N/A."

03

Has your driver's license been suspended or revoked? (Answer No if it was due to administrative purposes; Note: all administrative suspensions must be PAST and reinstated with no current suspensions.) If yes, please enter date, County and State with explanation. If no, enter no.

04

Have you been convicted of or received deferred judgment for reckless driving? If yes, please explain and include date, County and State. If no, enter no.

05

List equipment you are familiar with such as backhoes, tractors, mowers, etc and what you were performing with the equipment. If no experience, please respond None.

06

Describe your experience as it relates to this position.

07

Are you able to perform the essential functions of the position you are applying for, with or without reasonable accommodation?
  • Yes
  • No


Required Question





 City of Sterling

 06/01/2024

 Sterling,CO