JOB OPPORTUNITY

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July 2022- Kittitas Reclamation District is hiring for the Easton Dam Operator/Ditch Rider position. The job description is listed below and a link to the application is available at the bottom of the page. Once the application is filled out, please drop off application at the KRD Office at 315 N Water St, Ellensburg, WA 98926. Position open until filled. Questions? Contact KRD at 509-925-6158. 

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General Summary:  This position is located at the Easton Dam and surrounding area. It is responsible for making water deliveries to customers within an assigned area; maintaining dam, canals, laterals, weir boxes and other water distribution and delivery devices; patrolling canals and laterals; responds to customer calls for water, shut offs and equipment malfunction; and recording and reporting all water distribution activity. Will be required to respond to urgent or emergency situations as needed.

 

Essential Duties:

  • Consistently develops and sustains cooperative working relationships with landowners, coworkers and user agencies. Must utilize good judgement, tact, and diplomacy in enforcing rules and regulations, and reports violations to supervisor only when necessary to use formal exercise of authority. Reports forest fires or public safety hazards directly to nearest appropriate emergency service.

  • Gathers and records meteorologic and hydrologic information including water quality data from stations situated throughout the KRD system.

  • Performs precise operation of varied types of outlet gates such as high-pressure slide gates, radial gates, and bypass valves.

  • Recognizes unusual or changing conditions or situations and corrects and/or reports to the corrective action to protect employees and the public.

  • Perform dam inspections and complete the Lake Level and Gate Record. This record is to be complete after each visit to the dam and following a high-water event. Submit reports monthly to KRD Management.

  • Patrols reservoir and dam boundaries to prevent trespass, misuse, and violations of rules and regulations pertaining to the public.

  • Participates in planning and executing needed maintenance.

  • Patrols canals and laterals and observes and reports problem areas and maintains as needed.  Responds to customer trouble calls relating to customer water delivery.

  • Takes daily water orders; regulates water distribution to customers as requested by increasing, decreasing or during off water flow.

  • Inspects turnout gates, weirs, weed screens and other water delivery components for proper operations.  Corrects and reports problems to ensure proper water flow.  Performs preventive maintenance as needed.

  • Maintains detailed records of calls received, work completed, parts used, equipment hours, vehicle mileage, animal carcasses, and reports as required.  Maintains accurate and detailed records on water adjustments.

  • Meets with customers as needed to assess issues and to create and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.

  • Operates District vehicles and equipment as required based on daily and emergency job duties.

  • Maintains dwelling and property neatly and sanitarily.  Performs minor dwelling and property upkeep and maintenance and reports other maintenance issues for repair.

  • Ability to use computers to retrieve and record information.

  • Required to operate equipment and/or motor vehicles in the performance of his/her duties and is completely responsible for its safe operations. Operates such equipment in compliance with applicable KRD, Federal, State, County and municipal laws and regulations. Responsible for maintaining applicable State, Federal Licenses and Certifications or changes in physical conditions that would affect operational competency. Responsible for reporting all accidents to a supervisor and emergency services if necessary.

  • Inform KRD Supervisor of dates when a relief dam tender will be needed. Minimum of one-week advance notice required.  

  • Performs other duties as required.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities: This is not a supervisory position but will be responsible to coordinate maintenance projects in their assigned area and oversee temporary laborers.

 

Qualifications: Three (3) years of experience related to the duties of the job is preferred. Must possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License.

 

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

 

Knowledge of: Mechanical, electrical and water delivery regulation equipment; water delivery systems, equipment, components and of troubleshooting practices and methods. Knowledge of methods of measuring, projecting and determining water distribution needs.

 

Knowledge of: Buildings and grounds maintenance and the safe and efficient operations of District equipment, hand and power tools.

 

Ability to: Maintain, service, other water delivery devices on a scheduled basis and to identify problems with and repair irrigation distribution equipment and components. Ability to: maintain and prepare accurate, detailed and legible records and reports and to read and understand safety notices and equipment operating instructions.

 

Ability to: Operate District equipment and vehicles skillfully and safely operate hand and power tools.

 

Ability to: Communicate effectively orally and in writing in a clear, neat and understandable manner and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other District employees, water users, and others.

 

Physical Requirements: This is physically demanding work requiring heavy lifting and pulling up to 100 pounds, standing, kneeling, walking, sitting, crawling, bending, stooping, twisting, climbing, and navigating on uneven, steep and often rocky surfaces and canal banks.

 

Work Environment:  This position works outdoors in all weather conditions including sun, rain, wind, and other extreme weather conditions and is exposed to bugs, animal carcasses, petroleum products, pesticides, mud, dust, water borne algae and weeds, and may include working in tunnels, siphons, and in tight or confined spaces.

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