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

Three (3) Regular Full Time
Competition #
HW24-CSOE
Title
Collections Systems Operator, Apprentice(s)
Department
Wastewater and Stormwater Services
Primary Function

Working out of our 455 Cowie Hill Rd. (Halifax) depot or our 213 Bissett Rd. depot (Dartmouth), 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 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

 

  • Grade 12 or equivalent
  • A valid Class 5Nova 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, 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:

  • 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, catch basin repair, lateral installation, 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

 

How to Apply

Applicants who applied previously for this competition do not need to reapply.

Completed cover letters and application forms [PDF] or resumes, stating Competition #HW24-CSOE must be received by 4:30 pm on October 31, 2024.  Please forward to:

Mail

  • Halifax Water
    HR Department
    P.O. Box 8388, RPO CSC
    Halifax, NS
    B3K 5M1

Fax

  • 902-490-6934

Email

Conditional Items Required for Employment:

  • Satisfactory background check
  • Satisfactory pre-employment drug and alcohol testing

Halifax Water believes a diverse workforce positively contributes to its success and therefore encourages applications from qualified African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, women in non-traditional positions, persons with disabilities and Indigenous persons. Halifax Water encourages applicants to self-identify.

Halifax Water is an equal opportunity employer.