Job Title: Ditch Rider
Job Type: Full-Time / Non-Exempt
Pay: Starting at $21.00 hr.
Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependents
Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS) Benefits
Vacation, sick time and paid holidays after 90-Days
Schedule: Monday-Friday Day Shift
Availability: On-call nights, weekends & holidays during Irrigation Season
Reports To: Foreman/District Manager
POSITION SUMMARY:
During the irrigation season the ditch rider installs, maintains and repairs physical structures necessary for the safe and equitable delivery of irrigation water on an established route within the boundaries of the district. During the off season they work with the maintenance crew to maintain all District property and equipment.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Irrigation Season:
- Establish or follow a non-bias rotation of water for fair and equitable distribution of water.
- Check the delivery system daily.
- Record necessary readings on delivery system.
- Collect and record individual customer meter readings on a monthly basis and submit data to the office.
- Check tail ends of laterals.
- Meet with customers about their needs or problems.
- Keep trash racks clear of debris
- Do minor maintenance, such as cutting tree limbs that hit the vehicles, weed eating around structures repairing road gates, auger pipelines, etc.
- Report large repair needs to the Foreman.
- Adjust head gates as necessary to meet the needs of the customer.
- Listens to and resolves problems.
- Have vehicle oil changes done on a routine basis and arrange vehicle service needs as directed by the Foreman.
- Keep vehicles clean on the inside and outside.
Maintenance Season:
- May be required to operate equipment as assigned by the Foreman.
- Operation of equipment in less-than-ideal conditions on and around the canals and laterals.
- General service of each machine.
- Transport of equipment and machinery.
- Cleaning ditches, from removing excess material to maintaining a clean work site and leaving the site in good condition.
- Manual labor including, but not limited to, shoveling, weed eating, painting, flagging, etc.
- Placement of road materials.
- Fabrication of headgates, weirs, and cattle guards and the installation of these.
- Operation of welding machines and knowledge of the various types of metals.
- Installation and repair of road gates.
- Installation and repair of pipe and/or shotcrete to convey irrigation water.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities, except when assigned to lead man position.
POSTION REQUIREMENTS:
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 Experience:
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Possess a current valid Oregon driver license with a good driving record. When required, possess a current Oregon Class A CDL driver’s license, Dam Tenders Certificate and Oregon Pesticide Applicator License.
Physical Requirements:
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 is frequently required to stand; walk long distances over uneven and steep terrain, 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 life and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Other Qualifications:
Knowledge of several types of heavy equipment and the operation of each. Familiar with general maintenance of each machine. Fabrication skills and knowledge of various types of welding machines and materials are preferred.
KEY COMPETENCIES:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time and prepared to work at the start time of the shift; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality of customer records, internal District affairs and other classified documentation and information.
Customer Service: Responds promptly to customer needs; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments. Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to request for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to complete or address emergency situations and helps customers; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
Ethics: Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
Initiative: Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
Innovation: Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas.
Interpersonal Skills: Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.
Judgment: Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
Language Skills: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients and other employees of the organization.
Leadership: Exhibits confidence in self and others; Accepts feedback from others.
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.
Motivation: Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence.
Oral Communication: Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions.
Organizational Support: Follows policies and procedures; Supports organization’s goal and values.
Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Professionalism: Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments; As a representative of the organization, maintain appropriate personal appearance and hygiene in good taste and acceptable with public standards.
Quality: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
Quality Management: Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
Quantity: Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.
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 concrete variables in standardized situations.
Safety and Security: Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly; Uses seat belts and other safety equipment as needed at all times; Strives to protect District equipment, trucks, assets, etc.
Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ view; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of the team above own interests.
Technical Skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.