Collections Systems Operator, Apprentice - (Vac Truck, Excavator, Road Construction, Pipe Laying

Collection Systems Operator (Vac Truck, Excavator, Road Construction, Pipe Laying)

One (1) Term (Approximately 6 months) Full Time

Competition #

Department

Wastewater and Stormwater Services

Primary Function

Working out of our Cowie Hill depot (Halifax), as a Collection Systems Operator Apprentice you will:

• Perform scheduled and emergency cleaning, repair, and maintenance of sanitary and stormwater sewers, pipes, pumping stations and related infrastructure.
• Operate a variety of vehicles, equipment and tools in a safe manner.
• Work primarily outdoors, in all weather conditions and in confined spaces, etc.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Operates a variety of cleaning, maintenance, repair equipment, tools and vehicles
• Cleans, repairs, and maintains sewers, underground access chambers, catch basins, wet/dry wells, laterals and force mains, etc.
• Replaces, repairs, and adjusts manhole and catch basin covers
• Responds to flood, fuel spills, sewer odors, sewer backups and customer complaints. Investigates and resolves such complaints
• Inspects wastewater and stormwater related infrastructure
• Cleans repairs and maintains storm sewers, culverts, catch basins, ditches including grading
• Loads and unloads equipment and materials as required
• General care, maintenance and safe operation of assigned equipment and tools
• Orders supplies and materials as required
• Provides written and verbal reports concerning daily work activities
• Must be willing to work overtime for emergency call-outs
• Performs other related duties as required

Reports to: Works Supervisor

Education and Experience

• Grade 12 or equivalent
• Two years of experience working in a similar environment and with similar equipment and tools. (ie: road construction, paving crew, pipe laying, jet truck operation, hydro excavation)
• You will be required to obtain certification through Nova Scotia Environment within 6 months of hire as an Operator-in-Training. We arrange for the exam and pay the fee to write it

To Progress in this role to the next level (and higher pay) you will require the following:

• 18 months of experience working for Halifax Water as a Collection Systems Operator Apprentice
• Nova Scotia Environment Wastewater Collection Level I certification
• Demonstration of your ability to perform the various tasks within the Collection Systems Operator role such as: manhole repair and installation, catch basin repair, lateral installation, which will be verified by a completed checklist
• 3 years of experience working for Halifax Water in Wastewater Collections
• Nova Scotia Environment Wastewater Collection Level II certification
• Demonstration of your ability to complete more complex tasks such as cleaning sewers, troubleshooting, cleaning pump station wet wells, etc. which will be verified by a completed checklist

Other Requirements

Technical Knowledge:

• Must be familiar with related Occupational Health and Safety practices
• Must have good verbal and written communication skills. Must be willing to work overtime for emergency call outs.
• Must be reliable, punctual and have a good attendance record.
• Must be willing to take occupational and other training related to classification and equipment
• Must meet and maintain essential physical requirements of the position as described in Working Conditions

Physical Demands/

Working Conditions:

• Location:
  
  primarily outdoors and underground in an environment that includes dust, fumes, volatile organic compounds, noise, odor, heat, cold, etc.
• Equipment and tools operation in difficult conditions (heat, rain, snow, ice or confined spaces)
• Workload Level: Medium to Heavy. May be required to work alone

Essential

Physical Requirements:

• Pre-employment testing and periodic reassessment and retesting will be required which will include functional assessment plus confined space entry with appropriate equipment.
• Standing, walking, head/neck- neutral, bilateral handling - simple and firm grasp, climbing, sitting (driving), forward reaching, lifting.
• Required to enter and work in confined spaces. Must be capable of safely accessing and egressing confined spaces with safety gear using Duo Safety Corporation ladders rated at a maximum load of 750lbs.
  
  These confined spaces have a minimum manhole access of 27 inches in diameter.
  
  May be required to wear respiratory equipment, depending on environmental conditions.
  
  Worker is required to wear a full body harness when working in underground/enclosed areas.
• Sitting and foot movement (driving): occasional (on average 1 - 2.5 hrs/shift)
• Standing and walking: frequent (2.5 to 5.5 hrs/shift, short to moderate periods of dynamic standing, interspersed with occasional to frequent periods of short to moderate distance walking)
• Bending and forward reaching: occasional to frequent depending on work project
• Reaching Overhead: occasional(1 - 2.5 hrs/shift)
• Head/neck neutral mobility: frequently(2.5 to 5.5 hrs/shift)
• Climbing or descending: occasional(ladders from 4 - 40 feet, average 10-15 foot ladders)
• Handling - Simple and firm hand grasp: frequent(2.5 to 5.5…