Entry Level Water Operator Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Position: Utility Technician

Reports to: Utilities Crew Leader

Emergency Classification: Essential

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Pay Grade:

Utility Technician Trainee: Pay Grade 105

Utility Technician I: Pay Grade 106

Utility Technician II: Pay Grade 108

Utility Technician III: Pay Grade 110

Are you excited by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a community while enjoying the sea breeze? The Town of Fort Myers Beach is seeking a motivated and task orientated Utilities Technician to join our vibrant team! The ideal candidate will have a passion for working with the community, experience working in a Utilities capacity, and a proactive approach to getting the job done right.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach is a community on a resilient journey. Working at the Town of Fort Myers Beach means contributing to a town's recovery, rebuilding its spirit, and creating a future that stands stronger than before. If the thought of using your experience, background and skill set to join our dynamic team in this pivotal time excites you, please review the job description below and apply through the job ad.

Town of FMB Offers a Competitive Benefits Package!

Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance plans for you and your family with low deductibles and low annual maximums! The Town of FMB pays 100% of employee only coverage and 50% of dependent coverage. Employer paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and gym membership reimbursement.

Work/Life Balance: The Town of FMB offers 5 weeks of PTO Annually, 14 Paid Holidays annually, paid parental leave, and flexible scheduling options.

Retirement Planning: 401(a)/457(b) Pension Plan with an employer contribution in which you are immediately vested.

and more!

Position Summary

The Utility Technician performs a variety of tasks related to the maintenance, repair, and/or construction of the Town's drinking water distribution systems. Level of supervision is dependent upon experience and license level: entry level technicians perform work under close supervision with minimal latitude in the use of independent judgement, whereas Level III licensed technicians will more frequently exercise independent decision making.

Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation: If assigned, employees in this classification will be required to report and carry out duties as directed for the duration of an emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.

• Perform basic skill level operation involving construction, repair, and maintenance of the Town's drinking water distribution systems.
• Perform basic maintenance and repair of vehicles, equipment, plant facilities and tools.
• Safely operate a variety of specialized vehicles, tools, and equipment used in the maintenance and repair of water and/or wastewater systems.
• Prepare assigned equipment for daily work orders by inspecting daily prior to and after use and perform regular maintenance and minor repair as directed.
• Ensure the safe loading, unloading, and operating condition of equipment through daily safety inspections for defects, malfunctioning, or otherwise substandard conditions. Identifies and takes corrective action or advises supervisor when needed.
• Perform pre-trip inspection of vehicle and logs data, notifies supervisor of concerns or maintenance needed.
• Perform maintenance and repair on municipal property, i.e., installation and repair of water or irrigation lines, oil changes, flat tires, stocking vehicles, washing vehicles, vacuuming weekly.
• Utilize various manual, gas, and handheld electrical tools and equipment in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Completes all service orders assigned including meter change outs, meter box replacement, pressure tests, data loggers, utility locates, customer request off/on and leak tests.
• Accurately reads and records water meters for billing purposes.
• Install and changes meters; turns service on and off as needed.
• Maintain fire hydrants to include flushing hydrants and notify proper persons to ensure the hydrant is in safe, working condition at all times.
• Repair chlorine analyzers at pumping stations.
• Record chlorine residuals and master read daily.
• Read water meters monthly and fire line meters quarterly.
• Maintain simple records and logs; completes reports as necessary.
• Distribute signs across affected areas, tags doors on all affected areas; and notifies appropriate team members to make code red notifications when a Boil Water Notice is issued.
• Perform maintenance on booster station and water towers as needed.
• Isolate valves during main water breaks to avoid the pressure dropping too low on the island.
• Retrieve samples for water tests that need to be sent to the lab.
• Complete supply inventory monthly; prepare paperwork needed for purchase orders and notify management when materials and/or tools need to be ordered.
• Record maintenance to water systems using assigned software.
• Work with contractors on projects as assigned.
• Perform maintenance and repair on municipal property, i.e., installation and repair of
• Assist skilled personnel in projects and cleanup as directed.
• Assist Public Works staff with projects as directed.
• Perform standard operating procedures for cleanup of overflow (wastewater / reuse spills) occurrences in an effort to minimize the environmental impact and to ensure the safety of other personnel and residents.
• Assist in supervising external crews as directed.
• Respond to calls on weekends and after hours as assigned on the weekend on call schedule.
• Respond to emergency calls as needed.
• Attends all assigned events and meetings.
• Perform emergency response tasks and assignments as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required.)

Education, Certification, and Experience:

• High school diploma/GED; one (1) year of related experience in a maintenance or utilities capacity.
• Class III Water Distribution License issued through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or the ability to obtain a "Distribution 3" license within the first 18 months of employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. CDL including appropriate endorsement is preferred.

Utilities Technician (Trainee) - This is an entry level classification that performs assigned tasks and duties learning basic functions of the Utilities Technician position. Positions assigned to this classification will receive training under the direction of the Manager. .

Utilities Technician I - This is a technical level classification that performs skilled tasks and duties. Positions assigned to this classification are required to possess Level "III" Distribution Systems Operator license issued by the state of Florida. May be required to have or obtain additional industry certification(s) based on area of assignment.

Utilities Technician II- This is a journey level classification that performs skilled tasks and duties. Positions assigned to this classification are required to possess Level "II" Distribution Systems Operator license issued by the state of Florida. May be required to have or obtain additional industry certification(s) based on area of assignment.

Utilities Technician III- This is a senior level classification that performs highly skilled tasks and duties. Positions assigned to this classification are required to possess Level "I" Distribution Systems Operator license issued by the state of Florida and a Backflow Repair & Tester certification. May be required to have or obtain additional industry certification(s) based on area of assignment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances.
• Various types of semi-skilled manual work performed in maintenance and repair of municipal water and irrigation systems and/or related structures.
• Various types of manual, gas, or diesel powered equipment employed in maintenance and repair of municipal water, sewer and irrigation systems and/or related structures.
• Various types of ground maintenance and installation.
• Occupational safety rules, practices and personal protective equipment associated with performing duties using heavy equipment, in traffic and in adverse weather conditions.
• Inventory and preventive maintenance principles and practices.
• Daily inspection and identification of defects and maintenance requirements.

Skill in:

• The safe use and operation of various maintenance and repair tools and light gas- or diesel-powered equipment.
• Basic mathematics and measurement.

Ability to:

• Learn and maintain knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions, to include applying consistent courtesy and tact in considerable public contact and/or confrontational situations.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Be adaptable to performing under frequent deadlines and/or in response to emergencies.
• Apply sound judgment and interpretation based on acquired knowledge in circumstances where limited standardization exists.
• Read and interpret various technical materials and drawings associated with job functions.
• Compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, or composite characteristics of equipment, tools and work sites.
• Communicate effectively using Standard English.
• Follow both oral and written directions.
• Recognize and address common safety issues in the field.
• Perform preventative maintenance of equipment.
• Listen and follow instructions and standard operating procedures.
• Maneuver equipment / materials in hazardous workplaces.
• Complete proper paperwork documenting daily performances.
• Isolate and contain overflow occurrences.
• Regularly attend work and arrive punctually for designated work schedule.

Physical Requirements:

• The position involves heavy physical demands, such as exerting up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. Tasks involve frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, some unassisted lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects up to 50 pounds and occasionally heavy objects up to 100 pounds with the assistance of other employees and/or equipment as appropriate. Requires excellent eye/hand/foot coordination for operating standard and specialized electrical and gas- operated equipment.

Environmental Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to perform strenuous work in varying and adverse weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, and potentially dangerous environments for field or emergency related work as needed.

Sensory Requirements:

• Task requires sound perception and discrimination.
• Task requires visual perception and discrimination.
• Task requires oral communications ability.

Veteran's Preference

The Town of Fort Myers Beach provides Veterans' Preference in employment for eligible veterans, spouses of veterans, and qualifying family members, in accordance with the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs guidelines.

How to Claim Veterans' Preference:

1. Notify Human Resources at hr@fmbgov.com to request Veterans' Preference at the time of application.
2. Obtain the Veterans' Preference Form, which will be provided by Human Resources, and indicate your eligibility.
3. Submit the required documentation (e.g., DD-214 form, VA disability letter, or applicable spouse documentation) along with your completed application.

If you require assistance or have questions about this process, please contact Human Resources at (239) 896-4284 or hr@fmbgov.com.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach is an EOE and DFW

Employment at the Town of Fort Myers Beach is contingent upon your successful completion of the following:

1. Pre-employment drug screening, pursuant to the Drug-Free /Alcohol-Free Employment Policy as outlined in the Town's Employee Handbook adopted by Council effective January 2022.

1. General background verification.