WATER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

Tucson Water is the second largest water utility in Arizona, serving over 730,000 customers over a 390 square mile service area. Tucson Water is recognized internationally as a leader in water conservation, sustainability, and service. Our employees are proud stewards our community’s most precious natural resource, working to embody the utility’s motto of “Pride In Service.”

The Water Communications Operator in the Tucson Water Department is skilled in communications and dispatching work. Responsibilities include effectively dispatching Water service crews and personnel in response to customer complaints, work orders, requests for routine services, and in emergency situations.

This position works in a high-stress environment requiring excellent multi-tasking, organization, and customer service skills. Successful performers in this position prefer a fast-paced energetic environment and a job that requires extreme attention to detail. They can prioritize assignments quickly and readily adapt to changing circumstances. They accept a shift work position knowing the schedule may be quite different from that of relatives and friends — while at the same time learning to appreciate and take advantage of what a shift work lifestyle has to offer.

Operating hours are Monday – Friday from 6:30 am – 9 pm, and shift examples are 6:30 am – 2:30 pm, 9 am – 5:30 pm, and 12:30 pm – 9 pm.

Currently hiring for evening shift working 12:30 pm – 9 pm and will cover nights and day shifts as needed. Times are subject to change to meet the business needs.

* * Shift differential pay of $1.00 per hour for time worked between 6 pm – 6 am. * *

Provides communications support for field personnel and responds to and logs communication and requests from the field and the community. Prioritizes calls and dispatches appropriate staff in response to emergency and routine requests for service.

Examples of essential duties may include but are not limited to:

• Receives and logs phone calls from field staff, customers, City departments, utilities, contractors, and other Tucson Water divisions and area municipalities
• Communicates with the AZ 811 Blue Stake, Inc. (AZ 811) regarding locate requests and communicates with other City departments and municipalities regarding permits, lane closures, perm patches, water outages, fire protection, and traffic control
• Receives work orders and service requests via WAM Enterprise Asset Management System, computer, email, radio and phones; maintains logs and records of work activities and work status through data entry
• Provides customer service by handling calls regarding water system problems and water quality concerns; responds by taking appropriate action
• Reads operations logs and maps related to the Tucson Water system
• Assists in training and instructing new employees
• Initiates work orders in Naviline H5 and WAM Enterprise Asset Management System
• Initiates AZ 811 locates, row permits, street sweeps, water outage notifications, and fire protection requests
• Dispatches service requests and work orders to field personnel
• Provides communications support by responding to calls requesting assistance, reporting emergencies, and determining the necessary response
• Provides customer service by answering phone lines, routing calls according to importance, educating customers regarding City policies, coordinating calls for service, acting as a liaison, and attending required meetings.
• Receives and transmits communications
• Dispatches personnel in response to requests for assistance. Operates multiple computer systems.

Minimum Education Level & Type: 6 months post High School

Minimum Experience Qualifications: At least 1 year experience in communications support by responding to field personnel, prioritizing calls, and dispatching personnel

Valid and unrestricted Class D - Driver’s License

An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the ability to successfully perform the essential functions may be considered.

The ideal candidates will possess the above minimum qualifications as well as relevant experience in the areas listed below:

• Experience working for a Utility Service/Company
• Knowledge of Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of a public utility communications system
• Knowledge of water systems field service operations, materials, and equipment
• Knowledge of Tucson area geography
• Experience using multiple forms of communications equipment 
• Experience with Adobe Pro, Microsoft Office, Naviline H5, and Oracle WAM
• Ability to work well independently as well as part of a team
• Ability to multi-task in a quick and efficient manner
• Ability to assess situations and problem solve effectively
• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly
• Ability to maintain calm and level-headed in stressful situations

You are encouraged to print this bulletin because it contains important dates and information that will not be available online once this position closes.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated on the education and work experience in their employment profile and the responses to their supplemental questions. The highest scoring applicants will then be invited to participate in a virtual Oral Board Interview.

• Virtual Oral Board Interviews will be held on May 3 and May 4, 2021 

Upon completion of all examination processes, the highest scoring applicants will be placed on the Civil Service Employment List. An applicant's ranking on the Civil Service list will be based on their final score which will be calculated as:

• 10% of your rating for education and work experience
• 90% of your oral board interview

This recruitment will establish a civil service list that may be utilized to fill vacancies occurring within the next 6 months.

Veterans, Native American, or Disability preference points will be added to the final score for those that are placed on the Civil Service Employment List. If you qualify for preference points as outlined in the Employment Profile, you must upload your documentation as part of the application process or email it to Jocelyn.Maez@tucsonaz.gov. The DD 214 must be a copy that indicates characterization of service.

If you are in need of Americans with Disabilities Act-related accommodation during the testing process, please contact Jocelyn D. Maez at 520.837.2113 at least 48 hours prior to the evaluation.

Communication during this process will be sent via email, so please ensure your browser accepts emails from jobs@tucsonaz.gov and check your email account regularly; this may include your junk box/spam folder. Failure to respond or follow instructions may result in disqualification.

None

To ensure accurate payroll information for tax purposes, the successful candidate will need to provide their original Social Security Card or original letter from the Social Security Administration with their social security number prior to beginning work with the City of Tucson.

The City of Tucson hires lawful workers only - US citizens or nationals and non-citizens with valid work authorization - without discrimination. Federal immigration laws require all employers to verify both the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. In its efforts to meet the law's requirements, the City of Tucson participates in the E-Verify program established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to aid employers in verifying the eligibility of workers.

Retired City of Tucson employees receiving benefits from the Tucson Supplemental Retirement System who are considering reemployment with the City should be aware that pursuant to Section 22-37(g) of the Tucson City Code, retirement benefits shall be suspended during the period of reemployment with the City of Tucson unless you have been separated at least twelve consecutive months before returning to work AND you return to a non-permanent employment classification. Creditable service does not accrue during any reemployment period.