EO Sewer/SSO Response
JOB SUMMARY
The incumbent, under the guidance of the Water or Sewer Line Maintenance Supervisors, provides general labor and operates equipment to accomplish tasks safely and efficiently. Works in accordance with City, State, Federal regulations and AWWA Standards to repair or replace mains, service lines, fire hydrants, valves, and transmission lines.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Note: All City of Fort Smith positions require the employee to provide good customer service to both internal and external customers, maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees, and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive. Must show cooperation and respect to fellow employees and supervisors at all times. All other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or department director.
- Operate assigned small and heavy construction equipment including but not limited to hand tools, jack hammers, hot saws, dump truck, backhoe, bulldozer and large excavator in a safe manner.
- Load and off load heavy equipment from trailer in the safest manner possible.
- Ensure dump truck, backhoe, and other assigned equipment are operating properly.
- Ensure equipment maintenance, preventive maintenance and minor repairs are performed as needed.
- Drive from one job site to another. Load and unload equipment and tools in congested neighborhoods.
- Dig up or around Fiber Optic lines, High/Low voltage electric lines, High/Low pressure gas lines, Telephone lines, Video/Communication lines and other utility lines on daily basis.
- Prep hard surfaces on jobsite and pour flowable fill and concrete for street repair.
- Perform other duties including, but not limited to, fill in for leadperson and train new maintenance persons and operators on assigned equipment as required or assigned.
- Must be able to classify soil types for stability and excavate area to meet sloping, benching and trench box guidelines for the safety of the crew.
- Must be able to operate in busy urban environments such as in streets, curb and gutter, bar ditches, drainage easements, highways, highway right of ways, parking lots, sidewalks, driveways, etc.
- Must be able to backfill and restore excavation sites to their original condition. This includes sloping ditches, excavate to grade for repair by other departments.
- Required to participate in stand-by and callout rotation as needed.
- Required to maintain residence within 40 minute driving time to the City Maintenance Center to limit response time for calls to service.
- Regular attendance and timeliness are required.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 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 functions.
Equipment Operator in Training
- High school diploma or GED is required.
- Class “D” driver’s license is required.
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The incumbent must possess or have the ability to obtain within 9 months of appointment a Class “A” CDL driver’s license with no air brake restriction.
- All special skills may be acquired on the job.
Equipment Operator I-
High school diploma or GED is required.
- Must have a valid “Class A” CDL license, with no air brake restriction.
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All special skills may be acquired on the job.
Equipment Operator II (Sewer Only – Vac/Jet Truck)
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High school diploma or GED is required.
- Minimum of one (1) year experience as a CDL driver and in operating heavy construction equipment.
- Must have a valid “Class B” CDL license that includes air brake and tanker endorsements.
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The incumbent must possess or have the ability to obtain within 9 months of appointment a Class “A” CDL driver’s license with no air brake restriction.
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1 year of experience in the operation of heavy hydraulic equipment.
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All special skills may be acquired on the job.
Equipment Operator III
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High school diploma or GED is required.
- Minimum of one (1) year experience as CDL driver.
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Must have a valid “Class A” CDL license with no air brake restriction.
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2 years of experience in the operation of heavy excavating equipment.
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Flagger certified by the American Traffic Safety Services Association.
- All special skills may be acquired on the job.
- May consider any equivalent combination of experience and/or training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
Preferred Qualifications
- A Class IV Water Distribution License is preferred.
- Certified in Competent Person Excavation, Excavation Trench Safety, Confined Space Entry, Backhoe and Excavator training, Asbestos training.
- Flagger certified by the American Traffic Safety Services Association.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- The incumbent should possess knowledge of the use of tools and equipment in the department.
- The incumbent must have good verbal and written communications skills as well as good organizational skills.
- Problem solving and analytical ability are required to perform the duties of this position.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also required.
- The incumbent should have knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
- Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and equipment with aptitude to learn new software applications.
- Knowledge of structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
POSITION DESIGNATIONS
This position is designated as essential during inclement weather events. City services will be maintained during inclement weather, such as heavy snow or ice storms and all essential employees are expected to report to work due to the critical functions of the position. This position is not able to work remotely.
This position does have the potential to drive as part of their regular job duties.
This position is designated as a safety/security sensitive position and is subject to random DOT drug and alcohol screenings and/or non-DOT drug and alcohol screenings (a safety/security sensitive position is one in which a momentary lapse in attention may result in injury or death of another person).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
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 functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently stand, walk, talk and hear. Frequently sit; use hands to handle objects, and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent must also stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and climb or balance. The employee is also required to use sense of smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, distance, and peripheral vision. Depth perception and the ability to adjust focus are also required.
The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 100 pounds.
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 functions.
While performing the duties of this position the incumbent is exposed to hazardous materials (Asbestos cement pipe, Dry-Tec Granular Calcium Hypochlorite/Chlorine, fumes from oxyacetylene torch and arc welder, etc.) to outdoor weather conditions and is required to work near moving mechanical parts. The incumbent is also exposed to non-weather related extreme heat or cold. The incumbent is also at risk of electrical shock and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.
EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS
This position requires the below screenings prior to employment:
- Criminal History Background Check
- FMCSA Background Check and Drug Screen (upon hire or after obtaining CDL)
- Motor Vehicle Record Check
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Notice of Consent Decree Posting
The City of Fort Smith, Arkansas ("City") has entered into a Consent Decree in litigation with the United States of America and the State of Arkansas ("Consent Decree"). The Consent Decree was filed on April 6, 2015, in civil action 14cv02266PKH, pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas Fort Smith Division. The Consent Decree is available for review or copying on the City's website where it may be found at www.FortSmithWater.org
**This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee and/or applicant. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice**
Code : 20260097-1
Grade : GRADE 32
Posting Start : 06/02/2026
Posting End : 06/09/2026
HOURLY RATE RANGE: $17.04-$25.57
