Austin Water Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Associate – Wastewater Treatment Plants (Day Shift)

City of Austin•Walnut Creek, CA

8h•Onsite

About The Position

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. We strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, grounding our efforts in Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee. For over 100 years, Austin Water has been committed to providing safe, reliable, high-quality, and affordable water services to our customers, serving over 1,000,000 people across more than 548 square miles. Austin Water has three water treatment plants (Handcox, Davis, and Ullrich) and two wastewater treatment plants (Walnut Creek and South Austin Regional). These sites can receive up to 150 million gallons per day of sewage to treat before it is returned to the Colorado River. Austin Water's biosolids facility, Hornsby Bend, receives sludge generated by the treatment processes at the wastewater plants and uses it to create compost. More than a billion gallons of high-quality effluent are reclaimed each year for various uses. Austin Water consistently ranks among the best in the country for water quality and exceeds federal and state requirements for clean water and environmental compliance. This position, under close supervision, performs routine tasks to provide operational and general maintenance support at a water or wastewater treatment plant, wastewater collection, water distribution systems facility, stormwater pump station, or remote stormwater facility, and works in teams to assist with more complex tasks. The role involves both operations and maintenance disciplines to develop competency in both. Specifically, the Austin Water Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Associate is responsible for performing wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance tasks, including operating and monitoring process control systems, managing chemical dosage, testing water samples, recording and reporting readings, and performing mechanical work on plant equipment such as preventative, diagnostic, and corrective maintenance, new equipment installation, and equipment rebuilds.

Requirements

Knowledge of general maintenance processes and procedures.
Knowledge of basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, decimalized numbers, fractions, and percents.
Skill in using computers and related software.
Skill in using hand tools and power tools.
Skill in operating a motor vehicle and motorized equipment.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
Ability to read and follow technical guidelines and standard operating procedures.
Ability to take simple readings from meters, gauges, control panels, and testing and monitoring equipment.
Ability to meet and maintain driver eligibility standards detailed in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program.
Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent.
One (1) year of experience in a similar work environment such as stormwater pumpstations, process control, plant operations, construction, or in the operation, repair and maintenance of mechanical or industrial equipment.
Must obtain appropriate TCEQ License as specified by position within one (1) year of employment: Wastewater Treatment Plant: TCEQ Class D Wastewater Operator License.
Must obtain the appropriate TCEQ Class C Wastewater Treatment Plant License before Class D License expires.
May require a Valid Texas Commercial Driver's License with endorsements.
Valid current Texas Class C Driver License.
Must be able to become certified for Respiratory Protection and Confined-Space Entry Program within six (6) months of employment and maintain certification.
Ability to work in environments that may have hazardous atmospheres.
Ability to work in permit and non-permit confined spaces where there is limited or restricted means for entry and exit, or where the work activities may be hindered.
Ability to safely wear anti-fall (SRL) body harness for confined space entry that supports up to 283 pounds.
Ability to climb ladders and work at heights of up to 200 feet, and to work in confined spaces up to 100 feet deep.
Ability to walk, stand, sit, bend, stoop, twist, push, pull, climb, kneel, crawl, and lift/carry up to fifty (50) pounds unassisted.
Must meet the City of Austin Driver Safety Standards requisite (no more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months).
Must be able to qualify for the Utility’s Respiratory Protection Program.
Must be clean shaven to meet the Utility’s Respiratory Protection Program guidelines which requires the use of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
Ability to perform duties with confidence at sites where climbing ladders and working at heights of up to 200 feet and descending into confined spaces up to 100 feet deep with the use of a required SRL body harness that supports weight as designated by work area.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating and performing preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repair and rebuilding of industrial equipment and machinery.
Experience working in an industrial setting; which could include treatment plant, oil, gas or refinery, mining, automotive and heavy machinery repair.
Experience performing facility operation and maintenance tasks related to process control and process optimization.
Training or experience in plumbing or pipefitting.
Training or experience in welding and metal fabrication.
Experience using computerized work order system, basic computer navigation skills and ability to learn new software applications.

Responsibilities

Assists with process control tasks such as basic flow control, sampling, basic laboratory testing, normal operations of pumps and blowers, and adjusting chemical feeds.
Assists with preventative maintenance tasks such as lubrication; changing equipment oil/fluids; and installing packing, bearings, and seals.
Assists with predictive and corrective maintenance on specialized equipment such as pumps, blowers, clarifiers, and valves.
Assists with routine rounds of the facilities to monitor treatment process and identify process anomalies or mechanical problems with plant equipment.
Monitors data from SCADA systems and computerized control systems, instrument panels, and gauges in order to make basic process changes as directed.
Maintains plant operations and maintenance records using log books, databases, and spreadsheets.
Acts as member of Confined Space Entry Team and may serve as entrant or assistant.
Operating process control systems that run treatment plant processes.
Monitoring process control systems.
Managing chemical dosage in water basins.
Testing water samples.
Recording and reporting water samples readings.
Performing mechanical work on plant equipment and machines, such as preventative and scheduled maintenance, diagnostic and corrective maintenance, new equipment installation and equipment rebuilds.

Benefits

Generous leave
Work-life balance programs
Extensive benefits
Retirement Security (City of Austin Employees' Retirement System)
Sustainable Transportation Options (public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure)
Wellness programs
On-site fitness centers
Mental health support
Professional development
Leadership opportunities
Health and welfare benefits (medical)
Paid leave time
Great retirement plan
Training opportunities
Career progression plan
Retention Incentive Bonus of up to $3,000 ($500 after 90 days, $500 after 180 days, $1,000 after 1 year, $1,000 after 2 years).