Collection Systems Technician - EXAM

About the Department

Under general supervision, is responsible for constructing, maintaining and/or repairing, and investigating sewerage and drainage issues for municipal wastewater/stormwater collection systems; performs related duties as required.

Position Duties

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties that may be performed.)

• Cleans, repairs, and maintains catch basins, manholes, culverts, storm drains, floodwall/flap gates, inlets, and/or other sewer system components using hand and power tools;

• Inspects sewer systems, including confined spaces, to locate blockages or problems and recommends corrective action; assists other agencies and departments to investigate sewerage and drainage issues related to their work;

• Inspects areas that have flooded to determine source of flooding;

• Assists in sewer maintenance activities associated with the use of the telemonitoring camera and/or use of cleaning and vacuuming equipment for sewer maintenance;

• Lays brick to raise manhole walls to prescribed street level using masonry tools;

• Cuts and removes damaged section of sewer pipe with cutters and replaces/reconnects section of pipe using a pipe sleeve;

• Operates vehicles requiring a Class A, commercial driver’s license to haul crew, materials, and equipment;

• Packs backfilled excavation, using air and gasoline tamper;

• Taps mainline sewers to install sewer saddles;

• Breaks asphalt and concrete, using air hammer, pick, and shovel;

• Speaks with the general public to determine nature of complaints and to notify them of their findings from investigations; may examine interior connections to City sewer;

• Communicates with supervisor and other workers, using two-way radio, and hand signals;

• Cleans area after work has been completed;

• Pours and finishes concrete sidewalks, curbs, and streets after excavation;

• Installs trench shoring for excavations;

• Reads street maps and sewer atlases to locate work site(s)/sewer lines;

• Installs traffic control devices including barrels, lights, cones, barricades, and fences to ensure safe traffic flow during excavations;

• Monitors toxic gas and oxygen levels inside sewer lines using detectors;

• Restores or replaces areas removed during repair/installation such as concrete sidewalks, brick walls, asphalt and concrete pavement, manholes, fences, trees, or other landscaping;

• May assist in clearing obstructions such as roots, grease, and other deposits in sewer lines.

Minimum Qualifications

One (1) year of construction, sewer maintenance, sewer maintenance investigation and/or other underground utility maintenance work.

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

By the completion of the probationary period, must possess a valid Class A commercial motor vehicle operator's license allowing operation of vehicles with air brakes, which MAY require the following endorsements for some positions:  Tanker (N).

Other Qualifications

COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION ANNOUNCEMENT:  The names of the applicants passing this administration of this exam will be MERGED, according to score, with the names of applicants on the current eligible list.  If you are interested in having your name included on the eligible list, you will need to apply for this exam within the filing period and successfully complete all phases of the testing process. Questions regarding this process can be directed to the Test Center at 614-645-7439. 

The examination process will consist of a multiple-choice exam administered on the computer, weighted 55% covering oral comprehension, problem sensitivity, information ordering, map reading, safety, sewer systems/tools, Microsoft 2016 and 2019 Outlook and Word; and a fill-in-the-blank exam weighted 45% covering tools and equipment.  

The exam is expected to be administered in early April. Approved applicants will be notified by mail/email of their scheduled test date and time. 

All applicants must complete all phases of the testing process in order to receive a final score.  The names of all candidates who pass this examination will remain on the eligible list for two years, unless the eligible list is replaced prior to or extended beyond the two years.  If a candidate's name is certified and the candidate is to be considered for employment, the hiring process will include one or more interviews, a criminal background check, and a pre-employment drug test.  

The certification process will be:  Fixed Band

The City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer