Job Opportunities (updated 7/19/2024)

Ditch Rider
 

General Summary:  This position is responsible for making water deliveries to customers within an assigned area; maintaining dams, 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:

• 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.

• If assigned to reside in District housing, maintains dwelling and property neatly and sanitarily.  Performs minor dwelling and property upkeep and maintenance and reports other maintenance issues for repair.

• Must be able to perform the functions of lower classifications when 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 and to operate hand and power tools safely and effectively.

 

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 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.

 

Starting Wage: $22.79/hr plus Washington State Retirement and Health (medical, dental, vision) Insurance Benefits, paid holidays, Annual Leave Plan.

Maintenance/Labor
 

General Summary:  This is skilled work in the maintenance of facilities operated and maintained by the District. This position will perform a wide variety of work such as pipe patching, structure repair, repair and maintenance of canals and laterals, siphons, and gates, laying pipe, constructing forms, finishing concrete, weed abatement, painting, and operating light vehicles.  Will be required to respond to urgent or emergency situations as needed.

 

Essential Duties:

• Prepares canals, laterals, siphons, turnout gates and other water diversion components for water distribution by clearing weed screens and removing weeds, debris and other obstructions.  Maintains facilities as needed.

• Operates burn trucks, pickup trucks, power and hand tools, and other equipment as needed. Uses hand tools such as shovels, weed rakes, pitch forks, pipe cutters, wrenches, hammers, and other maintenance tools, such as cutting torch and welders. Operates a variety of power tools such as impact wrenches, jack hammer, saws-all, chain saw, brush mowers, weed cutters and other general power tools.

• Builds forms, mixes, pours and finishes concrete to repair damaged structures or create new structures.

• Repairs underground piping and valves of various sizes, materials and depth.

• Replaces, installs or makes repairs to District property including: plumbing fixtures, electrical switches and lighting fixtures, electrical circuits and fixtures.  Adjusts and repairs doors, replaces locks, and as needed.

• Paints facilities and equipment using brush, roller or sprayer.

• May prepares reports and completes logs as needed.

• Moves furniture and other equipment in District facilities as needed.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.
   

Supervisory Responsibilities:  This is not a supervisory position but may oversee Temporary Employee’s.

 

•   One year of experience performing work related to the job. 

 

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
 

Knowledge of: The Districts safety standards and requirements; pipe and valve maintenance processes; operation of related hand and power tools.

Knowledge of: buildings and grounds maintenance; of related equipment operations; and knowledge of water delivery systems and components. A basic knowledge of mixing, forming, pouring and finishing concrete.

 

Ability to: identify and repair irrigation distribution piping; repair and maintain buildings and replace or repair building components; to operate hand and power tools, light vehicles, and other job-related equipment skillfully and safely; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees.

Ability to: read and understand safety messages and operating instructions and to complete reports and charts as needed.

 

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 and is exposed to bugs, animal carcasses, petroleum products, pesticides, mud, dust, water borne algae and weeds, and may include working in tunnels and siphons.

 

Starting Pay: $22.17/hr plus Washington State Retirement and Health (medical, dental, vision) Insurance Benefits, paid holidays, Annual Leave Plan.

 

Please complete an application (below) and submit to the KRD office at 315 N Water St., Ellensburg, WA 98926.  Designate which position you are applying for. 

 

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