ITEM 3.6 Hiring of Utility ForepersonF
Otsezo
MINNESOTA V
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
Request for
City Council Action
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
REQUESTOR:
MEETING DATE:
Utilities
Utility Manager Neidermeier
January 8, 2018
PRESENTER(s)
REVIEWED BY:
ITEM #:
Consent
City Administrator/Finance Director
Flaherty
3.6
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
The Public Works Subcommittee reviewed a Utility Foreperson Position at the December 20th meeting. The
position, job description with classification and promotion of Seth Wilkes into the position was
recommended for consent at the January 8th City Council meeting.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT?
IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No
No
BACKGROUND/1 USTI FI CATI O N:
A Utility Foreperson position is being requested to support the Utility Department. The position does not
increase staff but provides continual lead responsibility for an existing team member. This position assists
the supervisor and staff to implement goals and objectives, communicate project and work status, provide
training and mentoring and a building block of the Department.
Timing is appropriate as corrective repairs from aging infrastructure continues to increase, there is solid
community growth with increased customer base, frequent engineering collaboration and the need for
routine higher level technical communication associated with regulatory requirements and treatment
processes.
Utility Manager Neidermeier is recommending Seth Wilkes, Utility Operator move to the foreperson
position. Seth has a solid work foundation and has provided success to the Department since his hire in
2013. He has shown leadership qualities from his start date and shares his knowledge and positive attitude
to all he meets. His licensing includes a Class C Water, Class C Wastewater Operator license and Type IV
Biosolids license.
The Utility Foreperson job description is attached; developed from the Streets and Parks Department lead
positions to fit common goals and assignment. The position has been reviewed by Human Resources,
Administration and Springsted resulting in a scoring of 263 SAFE point's correlating to a Grade 9 scaling.
Staff provided recommendation Seth Wilkes of the department be promoted into the Utility Foreperson
position, with compensation recommended at Grade 9 step 2 retroactive to January 1, 2018. The Public
Works Subcommittee agreed with the recommendation and supported Council consent at the January 8th
meeting. Seth is agreeable to the position and compensation.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
0 Utility Foreperson Job Description
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE ITTO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to approve a Utility Foreperson position and respective job description.
Motion to approve promotion of Seth Wilkes into the Utility Foreperson position compensation grade 9
step 2 retroactive January 1, 2018.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING:
BUDGETED:
Fund 601— Water Utility (25%)
Fund 602 — Sanitary Sewer Utility (75%)
Yes
lir
CITY OF
seo
MINNESOTA
Position Description
Position: Utility Foreperson
FLSA Status: Non -Exempt
Pay Grade: XX
Date Approved: Draft Description - Not Approved by City Council
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
General Statement of Duties: Performs all functions of a Utility Operator; assists Utility
Operations Manager in planning and directing the department's operations and staff; may
coordinate with Engineer(s) on projects and operations. This is a working foreperson
position with the majority of time spent in the field.
Immediate Supervisor: Utility Operations Manager
Supervises: None
Provides Work Direction to: Assist in assigning work to all Utility Department employees
MAJOR JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Water and Wastewater Systems:
a. Perform, monitor and oversee all aspects of the operations and maintenance
of the Treatment Facilities.
b. Perform, monitor and oversee all aspects of operations and maintenance of
the Collection and Distribution system. Review Collection and Distribution
System projects for completion with accuracy in meeting engineering
specifications for City acceptance.
c. Perform, monitor and oversee all aspects of the GIS system related to
Utilities. Coordinate with Engineer and staff for accuracy and recommend
changes needed. Maintain data and collection documentation for
maintenance and record purposes.
d. Maintain regulatory requirements for water quality standards and
wastewater permits requirements.
e. Report compliance and compliance monitoring to regulatory agencies
including Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Environmental Protection
Agency, Department of Natural Resources, and Minnesota Department of
Health.
f. Communicate with officials, engineers and regulatory agents tactfully
regarding facility planning, reviews and inspections. Provide input and
influence to the design and operations of water and wastewater systems.
g. Provide input of department needs for capital and budgetary needs.
2. Project Management and work direction:
a. Assist Utility Operations Manager in coordinating and scheduling all aspects
of Utility projects and functions.
b. Serve as liaison with vendors, ensure inventory and supplies of equipment
and parts are available for routine and emergency needs.
c. Assign work responsibility, monitor project progress and provide
communication with Manager regarding status, productivity and quality of
work.
3. Policies and Procedures:
a. Recommend departmental operations improvements and changes to
supervisor to improve efficiency and work flow.
b. Monitor operations to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations,
rules and ordinances.
c. Ensure safety procedures are followed.
4. Other Duties and Responsibilities:
a. Keep Utility Operations Manager informed of department activities and
relevant matters.
b. Address citizen questions and concerns.
c. Attend City Council and Public Works Sub -Committee meetings as requested.
d. Maintain phone communication for emergency response.
S. General
a. Follow all safety policies and procedures.
b. Follow all City policies and procedures.
c. Treat fellow employees with respect.
d. Promote a positive and motivating environment.
e. Provide exceptional customer service to residents, developers, elected and
appointed officials.
f. Make decisions that are always in the best interest of the City, its residents
and businesses.
g. Perform other duties and projects as assigned.
h. Confer with supervisor, peers, and employees to discuss issues and resolve
issues.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Knowledge of and experience in all aspects of water and wastewater operations and
maintenance.
• Knowledge of and experience in scheduling, managing, and overseeing projects
including safety practices, working with contractors and engineers, resolving work
site and contract conflicts, and applicable State and Federal laws.
• Working ability to occasionally perform heavy manual labor, sometimes under
adverse weather conditions and during abnormal hours.
• Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, effectively, and precisely both
verbally and in writing.
• Applied knowledge of standard office and department related computer
applications.
• Ability to resolve and diffuse conflicts.
• Ability to understand, manage and communicate complex ideas, projects, and
situations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to coordinate work with
other departments and to lead multi -departmental or multi -jurisdictional projects.
• Ability to plan, prioritize and organize the department's work.
• Strong sense of honesty, integrity, and credibility
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Class C Wastewater License.
2. Class C Water License.
3. Three years Collection and Distribution Maintenance Experience.
4. A valid Class B commercial driver's license.
S. Associates Degree in Water Environment Technology or related field.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
1. Two years lead or supervisory experience.
2. Three years of experience at a Class A Major Wastewater Treatment Facility.
3. Type IV Biosolids License with two years application and reporting experience
4. Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or environmental services or related field.
S. Experience working for a growing city or county.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical requirements checked on the attached sheet are representative of those that
must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
Note: This job description does not constitute a contract or employment agreement.