- Job Title: Ditch Tech I
- Department: Operations
- Reports To: Ditch Crew Lead
- Directly Supervises: None
- FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Date
- Revised: September 3, 2025
- Position Type: Full Time
- Location: WWA Field Office
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Ditch Tech I performs field work related to the maintenance, repair, and construction of the District’s Large ditch and stormwater systems. This position is responsible for installing, repairing, replacing and maintaining storm sewer outfalls, backslope interceptors, and vegetation in drainage areas. The work requires frequent outdoor manual labor, including digging, pipe repair, vegetation control and light equipment operation in all weather conditions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform manual labor in the installation and maintenance of infrastructure.
- Excavate trenches using hand tools and small equipment.
- Assist with installation and replacement of storm sewer outfalls, backslope interceptors, and associated drainage facilities.
- Remove vegetation overgrowth in drainage easements and areas that may obstruct water flow.
- Operate light equipment and tools such as jackhammers, compactors, saws, mowers, weed trimmers, and tapping machines.
- Maintain work sites, ensuring compliance with safety standards and proper traffic control.
- Perform regular inspections and routine maintenance of equipment and tools.
- Clear debris and siltation throughout drainage system.
COMPETENCIES:
To perform the job successfully, an individual must demonstrate the following competencies:
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Organizational Agility – Knowledge about how WWA works; understands and appreciates the origin and reasoning behind key policies, practices, and procedures; understands the culture of the organization; knows how to get things done in a manner that compliments the WWA’s policies, practices, and culture.
- Drive for Results – Pursues everything with energy, drive and a need to finish; does not give up before finishing, even in the face of resistance or setbacks; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
- Teamwork and Cooperation – Ability to effectively work as an active and contributing member of a team to complete assignments and achieve goals; actively seeks ways to support other team members and promotes cooperation.
JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
- Following Directions – Receiving, understanding and carrying out assignments or following procedures with minimal supervision.
- Maintenance Principles and Practices – Demonstrates knowledge of general facility maintenance and normal equipment operation (how individual pieces of equipment relate to each other) to spot potential equipment problems before they occur.
- Following Directions – Receiving, understanding and carrying out assignments or following procedures with minimal supervision.
- Initiative – Identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it.
- Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for one’s own actions; keeps commitments; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
- Safety and Security – Supports and is safety aware; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.
- Flexibility and 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.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES/DUTIES:
- Time Management – Prioritize tasks and manages time to ensure that deadlines are met.
- Ability to Learn – Tends to learn new skills quickly on his/her own and applies them quickly and effectively to work situations.
- Detail-oriented – Ensuring that one’s own and others’ work and information are complete and accurate, following up with others to verify information.
- Collaboration – The ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside or outside WWA who can provide information, assistance, and/or support.
- Mathematical Skills – Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, fractions and decimals in English and metric units. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Basic and principles of measurement.
- Oral Communications – The ability to express oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others.
- Written Communication – The ability to express oneself clearly in business writing.
This position is classified as essential personnel. The individual holding this position will be required to work as required in (1) preparation for prolonged emergency operations and/or (2) during recovery from prolonged emergency operations as directed by his/her direct supervisor/manager, or the General Manager.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
| Degree / Diploma Obtained | Program of Study | Preferred or Required |
|---|---|---|
|
High School Diploma or Equivalent |
General Studies |
Required |
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
| Years of Service | Type of Experience | Preferred or Required |
|---|---|---|
|
No prior experience required. |
Drive to learn |
Required |
|
|
Practical |
Preferred |
CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:
| Title | Preferred or Required |
|---|---|
|
Texas Driver’s License with Insurable Driving Record |
Required |
|
OSHA 30 Hour General Industry Certification |
Preferred |
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no continuous supervisory responsibility.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
| Demand Type | Frequency |
|---|---|
|
Carry up to 25 lbs. |
Frequently (1/3 to 2/3 amount of time) |
|
Carry up to 50 lbs. |
Occasionally (Less than 1/3 amount of time) |
|
Lift up to 50 lbs. |
Frequently (1/3 to 2/3 amount of time) |
|
Lift up to 80 lbs. |
Occasionally (Less than 1/3 amount of time) |
|
Climb or balance |
Frequently (1/3 to 2/3 amount of time) |
|
Reach overhead with hands and arms |
Occasionally (Less than 1/3 amount of time) |
|
Reach with hands and arms |
Frequently (1/3 to 2/3 amount of time) |
|
Stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, squat, or bend |
Frequently (1/3 to 2/3 amount of time) |
|
Sit |
Occasionally (Less than 1/3 amount of time) |
|
Stand |
Regularly (More than 2/3 of time) |
|
Talk or hear |
Regularly (More than 2/3 of time) |
|
Use hands to finger, handle, or feel |
Regularly (More than 2/3 of time) |
|
Walk |
Regularly (More than 2/3 of time) |
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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS:
| Demand Type | Frequency |
|---|---|
|
Moderate noise level |
Occasionally (Less than 1/3 amount of time) |
|
Work near moving mechanical parts |
Frequently (1/3 to 2/3 amount of time) |
|
Fumes or airborne particles |
Occasionally (Less than 1/3 amount of time) |
|
Outdoor weather conditions |
Regularly (More than 2/3 of time) |
|
Extreme weather conditions |
Occasionally (Less than 1/3 amount of time) |
|
Risk of electrical shock |
Occasionally (Less than 1/3 amount of time) |
|
Hazardous chemicals |
Occasionally (Less than 1/3 amount of time) |
|
Working in/near trenches |
Frequently (1/3 to 2/3 amount of time) |
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please forward your resume to slawson@woodlandswater.org
