Water System Dispatcher

Salary: $42,904.57 - $55,234.36 AnnuallyLocation : Portsmouth, VAJob Type: Full-Time RegularJob Number: FY2025-01342Department: Public UtilitiesOpening Date: 03/31/2026Closing Date: 4/14/2026 11:59 PM EasternGeneral Statement of the Job & Essential FunctionsGENERAL STATEMENT OF JOBUnder general supervision, performs responsible technical work in the operation of equipment at a water pump/storage facility on an assigned shift. Work involves rotating shifts, nights, and weekends. Reports to the Water Distribution Superintendent.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSDispatches crew, responsible party or other field personnel; dispatches on-call work crews as needed according to emergency recall procedures; and keeps supervisors and management staff briefed on emergency situations; notifies Miss Utility of Virginia prior to any excavation; maintains Miss Utility of Virginia computerized ticket information exchange system between other local utilities companies, including gas and electric; and monitors computerized alarm system which scans 61 waste water pumping stations located throughout the city.Operates a water pump/storage facility during assigned shift; adjusts controls on facility equipment and machinery, including valves, pumps, motors, chlorinators, etc.; Monitors and regulates pressures and flow rates; records pressure and flow rates on hourly basis; performs custodial duties to ensure clean and safe working conditions; and minor repairs to equipment; and performs weekly tests on emergency back-up drive units for pumps, in case of power outageObtains samples of water as required for laboratory tests to determine chemical or biological contents; performs routine tests on water as required for facility control decisions; maintains daily records of chemical test results; maintains daily log of any abnormal conditions and reports them to supervisors; and attends weekly sessions on safety procedures.Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesPERFORMANCE INDICATORSKnowledge of Work: Has general knowledge of the operating principles and practices and the maintenance requirements of water pump/storage facility equipment and machinery. Has general knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions associated with water plant and related activities. Has general knowledge of chemistry as applied to water sample collection. Has general knowledge of water testing procedures. Has some knowledge of standard laboratory principles, techniques, terminology and equipment. Is able to understand and follow specified operating and recording procedures. Is able to detect defects and to take appropriate action in the operation of water pump/storage facility and other related equipment. Is able to keep accurate records and prepares logs. Is able to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in contact with the general public. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts within department and division, and with co- workers and the public.Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time- off requests.Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public to maintain good will toward the department and project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons to maintain good will within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, utilities customers, supervisor, professionals and the public.Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.Education, Experience & Special RequirementsEDUCATION & EXPERIENCEGraduation from high school and 2 to 3 years of experience in water works; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.SPECIAL REQUIREMENTSAn acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check.A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.Requires satisfactory results from a pre-employment medical evaluation and pre-employment substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.Physical DemandsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSPhysical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of office machinery and water pump/storage facility equipment including computers, copier, water pumps, etc. Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.Language Ability: Requires the ability to read reports, maintenance work orders, flow charts, memos, etc. Requires the ability to prepare emergency call and response logs, pumping station logs, reports, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence.Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only a limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and biological terminology.Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and interpret graphs.Form/Spatial Aptitude:Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.Motor Coordination: Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office and water plant equipment.Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.Color Discrimination:Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone.AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTSThe City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.The city of Portsmouth offers a complete and comprehensive benefit package to full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, legal, Flexible Spending Accounts, basic and optional life insurance, short-term disability insurance, Virginia Retirement System (includes a mandatory 5% employee contribution), holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, and Chartway Credit Union. To learn more details, visit01Please select the highest level of education completed.Less than High SchoolHigh School Diploma or GEDSome CollegeAssociates/Vocational/TechnicalBachelor's Degree or Higher02Do you have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?YesNo03Do you have at least 2 to 3 years of experience in water works?YesNo04Do you understand this position requires rotating shifts?YesNo