Canal Maintenance Worker

SOUTH COLUMBIA BASIN IRRIGATION DISTRICT
Job Description
Job Title: Canal Maintenance Worker
Department: Operations
Reports To: Assistant Watermaster
FLSA Status: Nonexempt

SUMMARY
Performs duties required to maintain components of the carriage, distribution, wasteway and
drainage system within the South Columbia Basin Irrigation District.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be
assigned.
All routine and non-routine tasks accomplished by the Canal Maintenance Worker shall be
within district guidelines as set forth in district rules and regulations, or as directed by
supervisor(s).

• General duties include but are not limited to application of pesticides for weed control; burning
  weeds; pulling weeds from weed racks; operation of minor equipment; truck driving; installation
  of pvc and concrete pipelines; application of tar to seal concrete-lined ditches; building and
  maintaining steel headgates and reinforced concrete structures; and labor on any other capital
  improvement projects.
• Prior to priming of the carriage systems, performs various duties to prepare the system for water
  delivery such as walking the main ditches and laterals burning weeds and trash.
• Performs rough construction/carpentry assignments such as building forms and pouring concrete.
• Steel fabrication including cutting, welding, grinding, setup, installation and assembly.
• Weed removal from carriage system utilizing chemical, mechanical, and physical means.
• Maintenance of canal systems including inspecting ditches
• Installation and repair of concrete and pvc pipelines.
• May be assigned to learn the duties of a ditchrider and fill in for ditchriders when assigned.
• May be required to perform non-routine tasks. Such tasks shall include any duties within the
  scope of daily work activities performed by District employees. Non-routine tasks may be required under emergency conditions or when supervisor(s) deem it necessary in order to ensure
  uninterrupted delivery of water.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS
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.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months' related
experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance
instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers,
common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and
interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral,
or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in
standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

A class A Washington State Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tank and hazardous
material endorsements and public pesticide operator license is required within 90 days after the
completion of the hire-in probationary period or at the discretion of the District agronomist to
facilitate scheduling. These licenses shall be maintained in force while employed under this job
description.

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
functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger,
handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand,
walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch,
or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds,
frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision,
depth perception, and ability to adjust 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 functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather
conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving
mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration. The
employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work
environment is usually loud.