Description

The starting wage for the Public Works Operator I position is: $5,364.00 per month.

This position is a full-time, Fair Labor Standards Act overtime, non-exempt position. The regular work schedule for the Public Works Operator is generally Monday through Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm. Evening, weekend and holiday work is not anticipated. The incumbent in this position is not a Civil Service employee. This position is eligible for representation through the Teamsters Local 313.

General Purpose:
This position is responsible for maintenance and construction work performing a wide variety of assignments in the repair, construction and maintenance of City streets, sewer, storm and water systems.

Supervision Received:
Work is initially performed under the direction of the Operations Superintendent; work is frequently delegated to this classification by Shops Field Supervisor or Shops Operator II or employees; however, as experience is gained, the employee is expected to perform assignments independently. Work performance is reviewed while in progress and upon completion, for conformance with instructions, or work standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervision is not a normal responsibility in positions of this classification.

Pre-Offer Requirements:
Operating a City vehicle is a requirement of this position therefore candidates must have a driving record clear of major violations. Candidates who pass the interview will be required to submit a copy of their current driving record prior to receiving an offer letter from the City. See the Supplemental Information section below for more information on acceptable driving history.

About Sumner:
The City of Sumner's vision is to set the standard of excellence for a progressive small city. Sumner remains a traditional city of just over 10,000 residents with agricultural roots, known for decades as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World. At the same time, its compact, walkable layout aligns perfectly with progressive planning trends, as its classic Main Street becomes repurposed for boutiques, independent restaurants and daily services such as legal offices, financial advisors and doctors. While Sumner retains historic neighborhoods of Craftsman houses and an active high school right on Main Street, it also offers over 16,000 manufacturing and distribution jobs for companies such as REI, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Amazon.com, and Dillanos Coffee Roasters. With a downtown Sound Transit station with buses and trains, it is well connected to the Puget Sound region while striving to be a full service city with the largest YMCA facility in the state of Washington as well as a link trail system that will connect the Foothills and Interurban trails. Like the community, the city government is large enough to be professional but small enough to be creative. The City has won a variety of awards from the Governor's Smart Planning Award to recognition at the International Association of Chiefs of Police for its groundbreaking police work on victims' assistance. With a strong mayor format, the City has just over 100 employees who operate a cemetery, wastewater treatment facility, accredited police department, animal shelter, parks, full service public works and administration.

Examples of Duties

The job duties and responsibilities in this job description in no way imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by a supervisor. While requirements may be representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty with proficiency.

Listed below are examples of typical job duties:

• Reads water meters on an assigned route and records readings in hand-held devise for billings; checks condition of meters and boxes; inspects, cleans, reports or replaces broken, or worn out meters;
• Installs, repairs and maintains water, sanitary and storm sewer line and apparatus such as fire hydrants, valves, manholes and catch basins, etc. as assigned;
• Maintains tactful and polite contact with the general public;
• Repairs and maintains all bridges, roads and alleys; identifies areas in need of repair; uses hot or cold patch and packs; smooth and levels with roller or dump truck;
• Repairs, levels and grades alleys using gravel;
• Fabricates, repairs and installs road, warning, street and speed signs;
• Repairs concrete sidewalks and curbs; removes old material; mixes concrete; makes and sets up forms; pours and finishes concrete; paints pavement striping, stop bars, crosswalks and curbs for traffic control.

Qualifications

Education and Experience
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade. Experience in Public Works or a directly related field desired. Any experience, education, or training which would provide the level of knowledge and ability desired.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Washington State driver's license;
• Possession of or ability to obtain with a Class "A & Tanker" endorsement within two years of employment;
• Possession of or ability to obtain standard first-aid/CPR certification within six months of employment;
• Possession of or ability to obtain Flagging Certification within six months of employment;
• If necessary, employee may be trained to obtain a Public Operator's License and/or Sign and Markings Specialist certification.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Basic maintenance, repair and construction techniques used in the street, storm, sewer and water system;
• Work hazards and applicable safety precautions applicable to the work;
• Safe operation of power and manual hand tools.

Ability to:

• Perform tasks requiring physical strength and agility;
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to work independently in the performance of routinely assigned duties;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisor and the public;
• Work out of doors for extended periods under unfavorable weather conditions;
• Operate power and manual hand tools;
• Work, and be called into work during times other than normal working hours to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the City and its citizens;
• Provide excellent customer service by using a friendly, professional, accurate and customer orientated approach to a wide variety of customers including the general public and other staff. This would include in-person and oral communications;
• Contribute to achieving the Department Mission.

Supplemental Information

Selection Guidelines:
Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check; job-related tests may be required.
Operating a City vehicle is a requirement of this position therefore candidates must have a driving record clear of major violations. Applicants who pass the interview portion of the recruitment process wil be asked to submit their current drivers abstract that is clear of major violations in oreder to be considered for this position.

To consistently evaluate driving records, the City has adopted the following Driver Evaluation System to screen applicants:

A = Acceptable
B = Borderline
P = Poor

Major Violations include:

• DUI – Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (including marijuana)
• Vehicular Homicide
• Vehicular Assault
• Reckless driving
• Negligent driving 1st degree
• Hit and run (bodily injury and/or property damage).

Moving Violations include speeding and other moving traffic infractions, see WAC 308-104-160. Traffic photo enforcement and parking tickets do not appear on driving records as Moving Violations. If multiple citations are issued on the same day, they will be counted as a single violation. (Sumner Personnel Policy 3.2.1)

Background checks will include:

• Prior Employment Verification: confirms applicant's employment with the listed companies, including dates of employment, position held and additional information available pertaining to performance rating, reason for departure and eligibility for rehire. This verification will be run on the past three employers or the previous five years, whichever comes first.
• Personal and Professional References: calls will be placed to individuals listed as references by the applicant.
• Employment Eligibility Verification: Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.
• Educational Verification: confirms the applicant's claimed educational institution, including the years attended and the degree/diploma received.
• Criminal History: includes review of criminal convictions and probation. The following factors will be considered for applicants with a criminal history:
  • The nature of the crime and its relationship to the position.
  • The time since the conviction.
  • The number (if more than one) of convictions.
  • Whether hiring, transferring or promoting the applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees or its customers and vendors.

The following additional background searches will be required if applicable to the position:

• Motor Vehicle Records: provides a report on an individual's driving history in the state requested. This search will be run when driving is an essential requirement of the position.
• Credit History: confirms candidate's credit history. This search will be run for positions that involve management of City of Sumner funds and/or handling of cash or credit cards.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
General Hiring Process Information:

• If multiple applications are received for the same candidate, only the most recently submitted, complete application will be considered.
• Applications received by the review date will be screened for minimum qualifications and then submitted to a Subject Matter Expert to select which candidates will be invited to interview.
• Candidates who are invited to interview will receive notification by email and will be provided at least 1 weeks' notice prior to the scheduled interview date.
• Candidates who are not invited to interview will be notified by email.
• Panel interviews will be held either remotely or at Sumner City Hall.
• Initial interviews typically no more than 30 minutes in duration.
• Candidates who pass the interview process may be invited back for a second interview with the department directors or for a walking interview through the department.
• Candidates who did not pass the interview will be notified by email.