Lapel Utility Department - Full Time

Job Title:              General Laborer

Department:         Utility Department
Reports To:          Utility Director
FLSA Status:       Nonexempt
Last HR Review: January 2022

Principal Function: The General Laborer is responsible for assisting with the day-to-day activities of the Water Department, Wastewater Department, Natural Gas Department, Street, and Parks Department, under the direction of the Utility Director and in compliance with the facility master plan, local ordinances and policies, and federal and state laws and regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assists the Natural Gas Superintendent/Operator, the Water Operator, the Wastewater Operator, and the Street Operator in emergent tasks in their various departments, as assigned by the Utility Director.
• Performs groundskeeping.
• Performs preventative and emergency maintenance on equipment and facilities to ensure functionality.
• Responds to utility emergencies and weather events, as needed.
• Cleans and maintains the Town-owned work vehicle in working order, to include: having routine maintenance performed on a regular basis and emergency maintenance performed, when required.
• Maintains all safety policies and procedures and stays up-to-date on safety training, that personal protective equipment (PPE) is compliant with current safety guidelines, and PPE is used, when required.
• Works with other Utility Department employees to ensure the completion of projects throughout the Town and in different departments.
• Completes “call-in” duties for the Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, Street, and Parks Departments in rotation with other Utility Department employees, if certified.
• Serves as back-up for the other Utility Departments to include: Water, Wastewater, Street, Parks Departments, and Natural Gas Department, if fully certified.
• Completes administrative duties to include: attending meetings, bookkeeping, completing various reports, answering inquiries, etc., as requested.
• Completes other duties as assigned and maintains an effective communication process with the Utility Director and other employees of the Utility Department.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities. 

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the organization. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Town-Related Competencies: To perform this job successfully, all employees working in the Town should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Resident Service – Manages difficult or emotional resident situations; Responds promptly to resident needs; Solicits resident feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

• Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and is willing to try new things.

• Attendance and Punctuality – Is consistently at work and is on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Oral and Written Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Participates in meetings; Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Reads with the ability to interpret written information.
• Dependability - Follows instructions and responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Job-Related Competencies – To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should

demonstrate the following competencies:

• Quality and Quantity – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality; Meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; works quickly but efficiently.
• Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Handles frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.
• Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action(s) beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization’s goals and values; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Builds morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.

Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience as a general laborer is recommended. Training for Water, Wastewater, Natural Gas, and Street Department operations should be obtained within six months of hire. Required and recommended certifications include:

• Utility Safety & Design, Inc. (USDI) Natural Gas On-Call Certification required
• Utility Safety & Design, Inc. (USDI) Natural Gas Full Certification recommended
• WT3 Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification recommended
• DSM Water Distribution System Operator Certification recommended
• Class II Wastewater Operator Certification recommended

Other Skills and Abilities: The following skills and abilities are either required or recommended.

• Computer software skills required include: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Adobe

Acrobat, Utility Safety & Design (USDI) ShareFile, Geographic Information System (GIS), and timekeeping software.

• A basic knowledge of and ability to make practical application of the Indiana Utility

Regulatory Commission (IURC), the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wastewater and drinking water treatment regulations, departmental policies and procedures, and accepted principles and practices of sewer system and drinking water maintenance and construction is recommended.

• A basic knowledge of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) policies and procedures as they relate to the City’s safety and health policies to include: First Aid, CPR, and Bloodborne Pathogens is required.
• A basic knowledge of federal, state, and local standards and government regulations regarding wastewater and drinking water treatment and water quality is recommended.
• A working knowledge of the chemical, biological, and physical processes involved in drinking water and wastewater treatment is required.
• A basic knowledge of the principles, practices, and processes involved in the treatment of wastewater and drinking water is required.
• A basic knowledge of chemical analysis and laboratory tests needed and required for wastewater and drinking water treatment to perform these tests and analysis is required.
• The ability to conduct chemical, physical and bacteriological analysis is required.
• A working knowledge of local geography and the ability to read and interpret local maps, prints, sketches, and specifications, and the ability to operate Geographic

Information System (GIS) equipment is recommended.

• The ability to properly use and operate specialized tools, equipment, and machines to include: gauge, recorders, calculators, leak detection equipment, pipe locating equipment, tapping machines, saws, cutters, air compressors, electrofusion machines, loaders, backhoes, mini excavators, vacuum trucks, dump trucks, and various equipment is recommended.
• The ability to properly operate all tools and equipment necessary to perform the essential functions of the Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, Street, and Parks Departments is recommended.
• The ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, vendors, residents, and the public is required.
• The ability to maintain and cultivate positive relationship with residents, vendors, and other Town departments is required.
• The ability to communicate in a manner that is respectful of professional ethics and diversity is required.
• The ability to remain calm, perform duties, and make sound and rational decisions to include: exercising independent judgment within established protocols and guidelines is required.
• The ability to multi-task, work in a fast-paced environment, and manage time efficiently while providing exceptional customer service is required.
• The ability to work alone or with others in a team environment with minimum supervision is required.
• The ability to perform simple arithmetic calculations is required.
• The ability to compute and calculate results of tests, and read and interpret instruments, gauges and dials is required.
• The ability to read and interpret specifications and technical manuals is recommended.
• The ability to write reports is recommended.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality is required.
• The ability to keep and use an updated filing system is required.
• The ability to use the invoice cloud automated system for employee time-keeping is required.
• The ability to be on the call-in rotation on nights and weekends with the other qualified Utility Department employees.
• The ability to attend meetings and seminars as requested is required.
• The ability to carry and answer a mobile device at all times, except while on natural gas calls, is required.
• The ability to operate a computer, printer, copy machine, scanner, fax machine, hand-held devices, and other office equipment is
• The ability to speak, read and write in English is required. Spanish is
• The ability to travel out-of-town in order to attend conferences, seminars, and training, sometimes overnight, is required.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that

must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk;

use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; talk or hear; and lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or

crawl; taste or smell; and lift and/or move more than 100 pounds with the use of an assistive device.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; work in high, precarious places; extreme cold (non-weather); extreme heat (non-weather); and outdoor weather conditions. The employee occasionally is exposed to fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; the risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Personal protective equipment must be worn when required to include: work boots, hard hats, safety goggles, gloves, hearing protection, and protective clothing.

While the Utility Department of the Town is open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, this position may also require work beyond these hours and on the weekends. It also requires the ability to drive a Town-owned vehicle. Thus, a valid driver’s license and a good driving record is required.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications can be picked up at the Lapel Town Hall Monday thru Friday 8am - 4pm. Positions will remain open until filled. Resumes will be reviewed as received. Persons requiring reasonable accomodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act are asked to contact the Town Hall Office at (765) 534 3157. The Town of Lapel is an Equal Opportunity Employer.