POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding career in the maintenance and operation of a water distribution and/or wastewater collection system? The City of Westminster is recruiting for an entry-level, full-time, and benefited Apprentice to complete a comprehensive three-year apprenticeship program in our Public Works and Utilities department. In addition to competitive pay and benefits and a values-driven work environment, you will be provided with on-the-job and classroom training to ensure your success. We are seeking individuals who have a strong desire to learn, work hard in the field, and serve the public. We also look for candidates who are interested or experienced in skilled trades and equipment operation. If this opportunity interests you, please read on for more details and apply!

The Water Field workgroup operates and maintains approximately 540 miles of Water Distribution piping system to include hydrants, valves, pumps, meters and other appurtenances. The Wastewater Field workgroup operates and maintains approximately 400 miles of Wastewater piping system to include manholes, pumps, diversion structures and other appurtenances. The Apprentice will accompany and assist Certified Water Professionals in the maintenance, repair and replacement of pipes, pumps, valves, hydrants, manholes, PRV’s, storage tanks and other related infrastructure. It is a mandatory requirement of this position to work overtime, take weekend duty and be on-call for emergency work such as snow removal, water breaks, and sewer backups. Must be able to respond within thirty minutes when on-call. This is a safety sensitive position with operating hours of Monday – Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On-call assignments are mandatory.

The full salary range for this position is stated above. Beginning in January 2023, the pay range for this position will be $18.73 - $23.97/hour (annualized $38,958 - $49,857). The City of Westminster offers a bonus of up to $1,500 per year depending on the employee’s fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Laotian, and/or American Sign Language (ASL).

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIES

The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: Westminster’s purpose is to provide core services and foster economic resilience to give our community the opportunity to thrive. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service – Pride – Integrity – Responsibility – Innovation – Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Public Works and Utilities Department, which maintains and enhances the safety and well-being of the community by providing exceptional water and wastewater service and maintaining the city’s extensive network of street infrastructure. The Department continuously strives to meet the needs of the community by focusing on customer service, efficient and effective utilization of resources, safety, innovation, and teamwork.

Every employee is accountable to:

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority

• Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback

• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision

• Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner

• Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior

• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner

• Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate

• Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization

• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered

• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives

• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

GENERAL COMPETENCIES

Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments

• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development

• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks

• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions

• Achieve goals, and handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently

• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications

• Demonstrate accountability for work, and take ownership in job performance

• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product

Job Specific – Every employee in this position must learn to be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of safety practices common to hazards such as confined space, traffic control, fall protection, proper PPE

• Demonstrate knowledge of the general practices applied in the care and safe operation of a wide variety of light to heavy construction and maintenance equipment, especially those related to Utilities Operations

• Perform thorough daily vehicle inspections

• Demonstrate knowledge of the laws, regulations, and City’s policies, SOPs and standards; and ensure team members comply

• Demonstrate the ability to work with minimal supervision and both understand and follow oral instructions or written diagrams

• Demonstrate sufficient physical stamina to withstand fatiguing elements involved in operating light and heavy equipment for long hours and in adverse weather conditions

• Demonstrate ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, the public and contractors

• Build positive relationships and rapport with other team members both within the work group, the division, the department and across all departments

• Demonstrate knowledge of using a telephone, fax machine, copier, two-way radio, pager, computer, and necessary computer programs

• Perform work safely to include operating various types of equipment and City vehicles

• Demonstrate proper handling of asbestos, excavation and trench safety and traffic control safety and ensure team members comply

• Communicate clearly, plan, and organize work in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale in rapidly changing situations under normal, stressful and/or emergency situations

• Analyze situations quickly and objectively recognizing established precedents and practices, and to use resourcefulness in meeting new problems

• Obtain and Maintain a Class A CDL with tanker endorsement, a DOT physical card, a valid driver’s license, and a safe driving record

• Maintain regular and punctual attendance

• Perform CPR and basic first aid

JOB SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks

• 
  Perform maintenance on water distribution or wastewater collection system, 10-hour days, Monday-Thursday. On-call assignments are mandatory.
• Install new water and wastewater mains, repair water or wastewater main breaks and participate in on-call assignments to provide emergency maintenance service
• Inspect manholes for safety, quality and maintenance
• Use tools and materials to stop I&I in manholes
• Work as part of a team to repair defects in the system
• Utilize required personal protective equipment and safety apparatus
• Operate light and heavy construction equipment including dump trucks, passenger trucks, high pressure sewer cleaning equipment, pot-holing equipment, backhoes, skid steers, air compressors, jackhammers, power or hand tools, confined space equipment, closed circuit televising equipment, and other equipment as required
• Regularly use dump trucks, passenger trucks, high-pressure flushers, pothole machines, backhoes, skid steers, air compressors, jackhammers, power or hand tools, confined space equipment, and other equipment as required
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Will be required to perform duties from other primary assignment areas, such as working with the Distribution Maintenance Crew, Distribution Construction Crew, Meter Shop and Cross Connection Control Team, Reclaimed Water Crew, Wastewater Collection Crew, Infrastructure Asset Management Team and the Street Division on snow removal

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS/PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications
Required:

• 
  Graduation from high school or completion of GED
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, provide proof of a safe driving record, and maintain a safe driving record for continued employment
• Safety sensitive positions are subject to random drug and alcohol testing
• Must obtain a Class 1 Colorado Distribution or Wastewater Collection certification within 12 months, with the ability to advance to a Class 2 certification within two years
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Class A Commercial Driver License with tanker endorsement within 90 days of employment (training and testing paid for and provided by the City of Westminster)
• Aptitude and desire to pursue a career in construction/labor trades to build and maintain public utilities and infrastructure and to become a certified water operator (State of Colorado Water Distribution and/or Wastewater Collection)

Preferred :

• Previous work experience and/or education in construction, equipment operation, manual labor, and/or skilled trades (plumbing, electric, mechanical, etc.)
• Basic experience and/or education in water or wastewater field
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Knowledge of CPR/first aid

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.
Physical Requirements
This position is physical in nature and requires sufficient physical strength and stamina to:

• Frequently sit while driving to and from work sites and frequently stand and walk on uneven terrain
• Frequently crouch/squat, bend/twist and kneel in awkward confined spaces; frequently climb equipment, trenches, and 45-foot ladders through 24-inch-diameter manholes
• Frequent light grasp and reaching; occasional firm grasp and fine motor functions to handle tools and material
• Constant near/far acuity and hearing to safely perform duties and perform office tasks
• Occasional lifting of up to 100 pounds from ground to waist to move manhole covers; occasional lifting of up to eighty (80) pounds from ground to shoulder to move cement bags and equipment, and occasional lifting of forty (40) pounds overhead; occasional carrying and pushing/pulling of up to 100 pounds twenty (20) feet to lift and move manhole covers

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is occasionally performed indoors and constantly outdoors with frequent exposure to extreme temperatures. Maintenance and repair are performed year-round on busy city streets where loud noise and traffic may cause a distraction. Work is very physical in nature and requires a great amount of physical exertion in extreme conditions while working in confined spaces.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Background check including employment references, criminal history, and driving record review
• If current CDL holder, DOT questionnaire (Form 49 CFR part 40 Drug and Alcohol Testing) and required background check will be submitted to previous employer for the past two years
• Drug screen
• Physical
• Must be legally entitled to work in the United States