The Water & Sewer Utility Worker I is responsible for performing manual and semi-skilled work involving manual tools and smaller power-operated tools in a wide variety of laboring activities. Under the general supervision of a crew leader, an employee in this position performs equipment operations and laboring tasks necessary to the construction, operation, and maintenance of public water and sewer.
An employee in this position is considered essential and may be required to report to work during adverse weather in which the county declares a delay or closure.
Please note - a $5,000 hiring bonus will be paid within your first 6 months of employment and you must remain employed for at least two years. Examples of Duties
(The following examples illustrate the work performed in the positions in the class. Positions may require some or all of these examples depending on the organization of work within the department. The list is not inclusive. A position may require related duties not listed, if necessary, to accomplish the work of the department.)
Uses an air hammer to break paved surfaces and dig trenches with pick and shovel for the installation or maintenance of pipes.
Backfills excavation upon completion of work and compacts loose earth with a tamping machine.
Operates a jet cleaner to clean out sewer lines.
Installs and maintain water or sewer mainlines and service.
Flushes fire hydrants.
Loads and unloads sand, stone, gravel, timbers, heavy mechanical equipment, pipes, valves, and other equipment used in the installation and repair of water or sewer structures.
Uses a chainsaw and other tools to remove trees, tree limbs, and other debris from water and sewer utility right-of-ways.
Digs ditches, manholes, and backfills; repairs ditches, road surfaces, sidewalks, and grounds after digging.
Assists operating and maintenance personnel in the operation, maintenance, and repair of mechanical and electrical equipment cleans and maintains tools and equipment, and performs routine and unskilled tasks in the operation of a storeroom and equipment repair facility.
Raises, lowers, and repairs meters.
Read water meters, and assist in meter installation and repair.
Turns the water on for new tenants and turns the water off when a pipe is broken, a meter needs repair, or when a house is vacated.
Performs general laboring tasks of a water and sewer laborer.
May direct traffic around workers and equipment, and may deal directly with the public at the work site.
On-call 24-hour for emergencies, flextime, or scheduled rotation of duties to cover a 6-7 day workweek, including weekends; second shift operation may be required
Minimum Qualification Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Working knowledge of the care and use of standard hand tools used in the construction and maintenance of water and sewer installations
Skill in operating air tools, jet cleaners, and other light equipment related to the installation and repair of water and sewer structures to maintain and repair mechanical and electrical equipment
Ability to perform strenuous work in varying weather conditions for prolonged periods of time and work while in kneeling, sitting, or prone positions depending upon assignment
Ability to understand and follow specific oral and written instructions, work with others, and interact with the public in a courteous manner
EDUCATION:
Graduation from high school, vocational-technical school, or possession of a GED Certificate.
EXPERIENCE:
One (1) year experience in general laboring work which included the use of manual and power-operated tools.
LICENSE:
Possession of a valid Class "D" or Class "C" non-commercial driver's license with no more than three (3) points acceptable for job entry. The employee must obtain a valid Class "A" CDL license with "O" and air brake endorsement with no more than three (3) points within six (6) months of the date of hire.
SAFETY: Must comply with all Federal (OSHA), State of Maryland (MOSH), safety regulations, and applicable Harford County safety policies, procedures, or manual as required for this position.
COMPENSATION:
Other compensation may include but is not limited to:
Overtime
Compensatory time
Shift Differentials
BENEFITS :
Harford County offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:
Health, Dental & Vision insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation
Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
Generous Leave Package & Paid Holidays
Tuition Reimbursement
Notes
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The selected candidate who does not obtain a valid Class "A" CDL license with "O" and air brake endorsement with no more than three (3) points within six (6) months of the date of hire will be terminated from employment.
On 24-hour call for emergencies, flextime, or scheduled rotation of duties to cover a 6-7 day work week, including weekends. Positions in this class may be required to cover a second-shift operation.
The employee will work the First Shift for the first 6 months of training and then may be transferred to the 2nd or weekend shift.
First Shift operations: 5-8 hour days (Monday-Friday 7:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.)
Second shift operations 5-8 hour days (2:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.)
Weekend operations: 4-10 hour days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)
FRINGE BENEFITS
(Effective July 1, 2023)
ANNUAL LEAVE - Begin accruing first day of employment and cannot be taken until successful completion of probationary period, EXCESS of 40 DAYS [320 hours] will be deposited into an 106 Premium Reimbursement Account.
0 months - 3 years 1 day per month (12 days per year)
4 years - 9 years 1 ¼ days per month (15 days per year)
10 years - 15 years 1 ¾ days per month (21 days per year)
Over 15 years 2 days per month (24 days per year)
* Please note that leave is prorated according to your status determined by actual hours worked*
SICK LEAVE - Begin accruing first day of employment (UMLIMITED ACCUMULATION)
1 day is allowed after first month of employment
1 ¼ days per month accumulation
PERSONAL LEAVE - For new employees, personal leave is prorated according to schedule below, for the first year only. Any employee on board as of December 31st of each year automatically receives 8 days as of January 1st the following year. (NOTE: Personal Leave may not be taken until successful completion of probationary period; personal leave will be lost if not taken before December 31st of each year.)
1/1 to 1/31 6 days 4/1 to 4/30 3 days
2/1 to 2/28 5 days 5/1 to 5/31 2 days
3/1 to 3/31 4 days 6/1 to 6/30 1 day
7/1 to 12/31 0 days
FAMILY LEAVE - Up to 12 weeks per year
FUNERAL LEAVE - 3 days + 1 day for extended travel
MILITARY LEAVE - 3 weeks per year with no loss in pay for Reserve or National Guard Training, Active Duty and serving during emergencies.
CIVIL LEAVE - No loss in pay while serving Jury Duty.
RETIREMENT - COUNTY EMPLOYEES: State Pension System 7% employee contribution LAW ENFORCEMENT (TO INCLUDE TEMPORARY DEPUTIES): LEOPS 7% Employee Contribution CORRECTIONS: SOPP 9% Employee Contribution
COUNTYFLEX - Provides the employee with a range of health care and other employee benefit options which gives employee the opportunity to design a benefit plan that best meets the employee's needs. Employee may use available credits to purchase the following:
HEALTH INSURANCE - CareFirst Triple Option and BlueChoice Opt-Out Plus Open Access and Kaiser Permanente (all plans include prescription drug coverage)
DENTAL INSURANCE - CareFirst Dental PPO Plus Plan and CareFirst Dental PPO Plan
VISION INSURANCE - Provided through BlueVision Plus
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - Provided through American Fidelity. Employees may fund health and child care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
PRE-TAX - All deductions for health, dental, vision and flexible spending accounts are subject to deductions from paycheck before federal and state taxes are applied.
LIFE INSURANCE -
Provided through MetLife - $50,000 policy - NO COST TO EMPLOYEE
SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE (TERM/WHOLE/UNIVERSAL AND AD&D)
Provided through MetLife.
LONG TERM DISABILITY - Provided through MetLife.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION -
Lincoln Financial Group - Retirement Consultant David Weiland
Phone 410-236-2494 Email- Dave.Weiland@LFG.com
[Customer Service Representative 1-800-234-3500]
RETIREE HEALTH CARE INSURANCE BENEFITS-
Employees hired on or after 7/1/2010 will have an automatic Retirement Health Savings account made available as the primary retiree healthcare benefit. This 105(h) Universal Reimbursement Account will only be able to be accessed upon separation of service and/or retirement whichever applicable. These accounts are employer funded, tax free, & portable with 20 different Nationwide investment options.
These funds are solely for the use of offsetting your premium health care cost, prescriptions, co-pays and deductibles. Upon death funds are made available immediately to the surviving spouse or qualified dependents (as defined by the IRC 152 (a).
DEATH BENEFITS - PAID BY COUNTY
50% of accumulated sick leave
All accumulated annual leave
Personal leave (maximum of 2 days)
$50,000 life insurance
One (1) month's salary
PAID BY RETIREMENT
One year's pay (after 1 year's service) plus employee's contributions refunded with interest.