Collections Systems Operator, Apprentice(s)

Competition # HW24-CSOE Department Wastewater and Stormwater Services Primary Function

Working out of our 455 Cowie Hill Rd. (Halifax) depot, 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.
• You will operate a variety of vehicles, equipment and tools in a safe manner.
• You will work primarily outdoors, in all weather conditions and in confined spaces, etc.

Duties & Responsibilities

Duties and 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 forcemains, etc.
• Replaces, repairs, and adjusts manhole and catchbasin 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, catchbasins, 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

Reporting Relationships

Reports to : Works Supervisor

Supervises : N / A

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

To do this job you need to have :

• Grade 12 or equivalent
• A valid Class 5 Nova Scotia Drivers’ license.
• 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, hydroexcavation)
• 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 :

Collection Systems Operator Level I

• 18 months of experience working for Halifax Water as a Collection Systems Operator Apprentice
• Nova Scotia Environment Wastewater Collection Level I certification
• Class 3 Drivers’ license
• Demonstration of your ability to perform the various tasks within the Collection Systems Operator role such as : manhole repair and installation, catchbasing repair, lateral installation, etc.

which will be verified by a completed checklist

Collection Systems Operator Level 2

• 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

Competencies :

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)
• Balance : occasional (1 - 2.5 hrs / shift)
• Head / neck neutral mobility : frequently (2.5 to 5.5 hrs / shift)
• Head / neck-flexion, extension, rotation : occasional (1 - 2.5 hrs / shift)
• Climbing or descending : occasional (ladders from 4 - 40 feet, average 10-15 foot ladders)
• Bilateral handling : constant (over 5.5 hrs / shift)
• Handling - Simple and firm hand grasp : frequent (2.5 to 5.5 hrs / shift)
• Handling - turning and fine finger manipulation : minimal (0 - 1 hr / shift)
• Lifting : occasional (1 - 2.5 hrs / shift - 5 to 70lbs - one worker)
• Lifting : minimal (0 1 hr / shift - 70-135lbs - 2 workers working jointly)
• Carrying : occasional (20-70lbs - 1 - 2.5 hrs / shift)
• Pulling forces : heavy range (50-100lbs)
• Kneeling, crouching, squatting : occasional (1 - 2.5 hrs / shift)
• Crawling, twisting : minimal (0 - 1 hr / shift)

HOURS OF WORK : As per Collective Agreement

RATE OF PAY : As per Collective Agreement

This is a CUPE Local 227 Unionized position