The City of Au Gres Department of Public Works Department is taking applications for the following position:
Combination DPW Worker / Sewer Operator / Water Operator. The employee is expected to acquire a CDL (class B with airbrakes) within 6 months, a F-4/S-4 water filtration & distribution license within 2 years, and a class “C” sewer license within 3 years. The City of Au Gres will pay for training of all successful licenses. Starting wage $20 -$28 based on experience and licenses. This position requires nights, weekends, and holiday work. The position includes 401K retirement, sick / vacation / holiday pay, health, life, and disability insurance.
Combination DPW Worker / Sewer Operator / Water Operator, upon application, shall have the following training and experience: Must be a recipient of a high school diploma or must pass a high school equivalency test prescribed by the Civil Service Board. Ability to pass a pre-employment drug test and maintain a satisfactory driving record.
A Water Treatment Plant Operator ensures safe, clean water by operating and maintaining equipment, monitoring processes, testing water quality (pH, chlorine, turbidity), adding chemicals, recording data, and ensuring compliance with EPA/state standards; it's a hands-on role involving pumps, valves, filtration, and disinfection, requiring technical aptitude, problem-solving for malfunctions, and detailed record-keeping to protect public health.
A Public Works Maintenance Worker performs general upkeep and repairs for municipal infrastructure like streets, water/sewer lines, parks, and buildings, operating various vehicles (dump trucks, loaders) and tools, handling tasks from pothole patching, mowing, snow removal, and debris cleanup to basic electrical/plumbing requiring physical stamina, mechanical aptitude, and a commercial driver's license (CDL) is required for street sweeping.
On-the-Job License Expectation/Licenses:
The successful candidate will be required to obtain the following professional licenses as a condition of employment. The City will provide necessary training and support to help the employee achieve these certifications:
- A valid Michigan Vehicle Operator’s License with a CDL B license with airbrakes endorsement (Not currently required at time of application but must have the ability to obtain the license within six months of employment).
- Water Distribution & Filtration System Operator License (F-4 License & S-4 License) as required by the State of Michigan. (Not currently require at time of application, but must have the education, experience, qualifications, and ability needed to obtain an F-4 and S-4 license and to pass exam within two years of employment).
- Sewer System Operator License (C-License) as required by the State of Michigan. (Not currently required at time of application, but must have the education, experience, qualifications and ability needed to obtain a “C” license and pass exam within three years of employment). Continuing Educations Credits are required to maintain licenses
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for a wide range of duties to protect public health and ensure the proper functioning of the sewer and water system. Some of these duties include:
- Overseeing all aspects of water and sewer system operation, maintenance, and monitoring.
- Ability to perform data entry and mid-level computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Assisting in the repair, testing, and disinfection of water mains.
- Collecting and transporting water samples for analysis.
- Preparing and submitting reports and keeping accurate records.
- Developing and carrying out a cross-connection control program.
- Responding to water and sewer system emergencies.
- Supervising the construction of new mains and service lines.
- Assists with special events and seasonal projects. Put up holiday and other decorations, places barricades and prepares City buildings, parks and grounds.
- Meticulous daily, weekly and monthly “checks” for accuracy and to record, manage and test water pumped, chemical additives including, chlorine and phosphates and test for bacteria and iron levels.
- Regular checking and recording of information related to flow of raw sewage and discharge of effluent and maintenance of sewer lift-stations.
- Experience with heavy equipment such as a plow truck, skid steer, back-hoe and loader.
- Knowledge of safety procedures and precautions involved in equipment operation, maintenance work and confined space entry.
- Knowledge and skills in completing a variety of construction, repair, custodial and maintenance tasks along with the tools, materials and equipment used.
- Ability to effectively communicate, understand instructions and follow directions.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships, use good judgement, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with other employees and the public.
- Ability to work effectively under stress, with changes in work priorities and in emergency situations.
- Responding to unscheduled call-ins on weekends and after working normal hours is expected. - Customer service and complaint management.
- Ability to read/understand blueprints for the location of essential services, etc.
- Basic plumbing skills are required for removing or replacing water meters, service lines, etc.
- Ability to frequently lift up to 75 lbs. to the waist and 25 lbs. above the head.
- Ability to frequently engage in bending, stooping, reaching, climbing, kneeling, walking, and driving.
- Tolerance for exposure to outside weather conditions, confined spaces, fumes, chemicals (including chlorine), bio-hazardous materials, and loud machinery.
- Ability to perform significant physical exertions associated with public works projects, including frequent manual labor and hand digging.
Typical duties:
- Monitoring & Operation: Read gauges/meters, adjust valves, control flow, operate computerized systems (SCADA).
- Sampling & Testing: Collect samples, run lab tests (e.g., oxygen levels, pH) to check water quality.
- Maintenance: Inspect, clean, lubricate, and perform minor repairs on pumps, motors, screens, tanks, and grounds.
- Chemical Handling: Add chemicals (like chlorine) for disinfection and process control.
- Record Keeping: Maintain accurate logs, charts, and reports for regulatory agencies.
- Solids Handling: Remove biosolids from lagoons, skim grease, pump sludge.
- Roads and streets: Patching potholes, repairing curbs and sidewalks, cleaning and repairing storm drains, and maintaining street signs.
- Grounds maintenance: Mowing lawns, planting trees, trimming shrubs, collecting trash and litter, and maintaining parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas.
- Utilities: Installing and repairing water and sewer lines, maintaining water treatment and distribution systems, and responding to utility emergencies.
- Construction and repair: Assisting with building and repairing streets and sidewalks, water and sewer mains and/or lines, pouring concrete, and working on other construction projects.
- Equipment operation: Operating light and heavy trucks, snowplows, street sweepers, and other heavy equipment used in maintenance and construction.
- Emergency response: Responding to public works emergencies and performing tasks outside of normal business hours as needed. Available on a stand-by basis, at night or on weekends or holidays, as operational needs demand.
- Snow and ice removal: Operating vehicles to clear snow from streets, parking lots, and public grounds.
