Apprentice Water Production Maintenance Mechanic - Well Driller

Lansing Board of Water & Light • Lansing, MI

1d • $45 - $50

About The Position

Through independent study, prescribed vocational courses, and hands-on experience in the apprenticeship program, the employee demonstrates steady progress toward journey-worker capabilities. The role involves learning to maintain Water Production equipment, including centrifugal pumps, air compressors, chemical feeders, pipes, basins, and wellfield equipment. Work includes maintaining and repairing equipment at plants and well sites, testing wells, taking readings, and analyzing results to determine appropriate valve settings.

The employee learns to use hand tools, blueprints, instructional manuals, machining equipment, mechanics' tools, a hydrolift, and well rigs. The role requires learning to set up and take down well rigs, pull and overhaul well equipment, drive a truck to well sites, and read wells using a flow meter and air compressor. The employee follows BWL safety requirements, uses required personal protective equipment, and attends safety or skills training as required.

The position may involve afternoon or midnight shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, and rotational standby duty. Work takes place in plants and outdoors, with exposure to temperature extremes, noise, dust, dampness, plant chemicals, possible lead and asbestos, and explosive materials and associated non-toxic fumes. The role requires working at heights and in confined spaces.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Pre-Apprenticeship Pool requirement: Math Level 4, Reading Level 4, and Writing Level 4.
• Well Driller license required.
• Valid Michigan driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Must be eligible at time of hire to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
• Internal applicants must possess a valid Michigan CDL with required endorsements or, at minimum, pass a DOT physical exam and the State of Michigan written portion of the CDL examination within 15 days of transfer.
• Must meet applicable Department of Transportation requirements, including random testing for controlled substances and alcohol.
• Must be able to climb ladders and work at heights; move through confined spaces; and push, pull, bend, stoop, lift, twist, and walk.
• Must lift and position heavy equipment, including pumps, pipes, and well drilling rods, and lift or carry 50–75 pounds from floor to shoulder level.
• Must be able to read pump settings, manuals, and blueprints; observe scrapper chain movements in basins from 20 feet; and hear and distinguish noises such as bearing sounds and air leakage.
• Must be able to work shifts and overtime, be respirator certified, and work at heights and in confined spaces.
• Ability to work afternoon or midnight shifts and weekends and holidays as needed, and to perform rotational standby duty.

Responsibilities

• Learn to use hand tools, blueprints, and instructional manuals to repair plant equipment, including alignment, welding, threading, assembling, and fabricating.
• Learn to use machining equipment, including lathes, mills, index drills, and drill presses, and learn to read micrometers.
• Learn to use fire hoses, haul chains and sprockets, and apply knowledge of valving to clean and maintain basins.
• Learn to change oil in pumps, air compressors, and similar equipment.
• Learn to set up and take down well rigs by assembling components on top of the rig platform while secured with a safety harness.
• Learn to pull, overhaul, and set well equipment from pits and wells; disassemble, repair, maintain, and reinstall equipment using mechanics' tools, a hydrolift, and well rigs.
• Learn to test operating wells and reinstalled wells.
• Take readings and analyze results to determine proper valve settings.
• Learn to operate service rigs and well rigs, drive a truck to well sites, and read wells using a flow meter and air compressor.
• Visually inspect wells for problems.
• Follow the BWL Safety Manual and wear required personal protective equipment.
• Attend safety-awareness or skills-improvement training as required by a supervisor, BWL, or a governmental agency such as MIOSHA.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or necessitated by job responsibilities.

Benefits

• Competitive wages, employee development, and opportunity for professional growth.
• Vacation, free-choice leave, sick leave, parental leave, and 11 paid holidays.
• Medical, prescription, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, and employee assistance program.
• Voluntary vision, supplemental and dependent life insurance, flexible spending, AFLAC options, LifeLock anti-theft, long-term care, tuition reimbursement, and BWL Home Purchase Plan with a forgivable $5,000 loan for purchasing a home in Lansing.
• Retirement programs include a 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan, with company contributions of up to 9.5% of base salary for BU positions and up to 13% for NBU positions, and 457 Deferred Compensation matching up to $2,500 per year.
• Post-retirement benefits at the respective level of coverage, co-pays, and health care premium as active employees.
• Two on-site fitness centers open 24/7, a work-life balance program, and free parking.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED