Lift Station Technician

Manatee County Government • Bradenton, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Performs a variety of entry-level, semi-skilled, and skilled maintenance, construction, and mechanical tasks necessary for the continuous operation of Manatee County's wastewater systems. Duties range from trainee-level through skilled and lead work related to repair and maintenance in the Wastewater Lift Stations Section. The position maintains, repairs, and operates equipment and facilities associated with wastewater treatment facilities, pump stations, underground gravity sewer lines, lift stations, force mains, and related utility infrastructure. Position level and salary depend on qualifications.

The technician operates and maintains service vehicles, construction and sewer-cleaning equipment, welding and cutting equipment, pumps, dewatering systems, locating and leak-detection devices, and hand and power tools. Tech II and Tech III technicians may train new technicians, serve in a lead capacity, and perform or supervise installations, rebuilds, and repairs of wastewater infrastructure and mechanical equipment. The work also includes interpreting technical drawings and maps, preparing equipment and materials, maintaining records and reports, ensuring job-site safety, completing work orders, and responding to after-hours emergencies.

The role requires participation in a rotating standby/on-call schedule. Work may take place indoors and outdoors, in varying weather and on uneven terrain, in confined underground structures, and around raw sanitary sewage. Employees may be required to perform strenuous physical tasks and work before, during, or after emergencies, potentially outside their normal duties, location, or schedule.

Requirements

• High school diploma or recognized equivalent.
• Tech I A: No experience required.
• Tech I B: At least one year of experience repairing, maintaining, or installing sewage-system pumps and equipment in a utility or closely related system.
• Tech II: At least three years of experience repairing, maintaining, or installing sewage-system pumps and equipment in a utility or closely related system.
• Tech III: At least five years of experience repairing, maintaining, or installing sewage-system pumps and equipment in a utility or closely related system.
• Tech I A: Obtain a Class C Wastewater Technician Certification within 18 months of hire.
• Tech I B: Class C Water or Wastewater Technician Certification and completion of two Career Ladder Training Class Menu courses.
• Tech II: Class B Wastewater Technician Certification and completion of five Career Ladder Training Class Menu courses.
• Tech III: Class A Water or Wastewater Technician Certification and completion of nine Career Ladder Training Class Menu courses.
• Possess and maintain a valid Florida Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Tanker Endorsement, or obtain a Class A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) with General Knowledge, Combination Vehicle, Air Brakes, and Tanker endorsements before a conditional offer. Obtain the full CDL within 120 days of hire.
• Participate in a rotating standby/on-call schedule.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English and understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• For Tech II and Tech III, ability to oversee and train others.
• Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, wastewater pumping equipment and wastewater collection maintenance, repair, and construction practices.
• Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, safety precautions related to confined spaces, trenches and excavations, heavy equipment, traffic control, and hazardous chemicals and fluids.
• Ability to distinguish colors and sounds, including safety and emergency signals, alarms, and horns.
• Manual dexterity and skill in operating and maintaining assigned hand tools, power tools, and equipment.
• Ability to work in confined underground structures and around raw sanitary sewage.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds independently and up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to bend, stoop, crawl, reach, push, pull, shovel, kneel, and climb or descend ladders, stairs, and steps.
• Ability to perform strenuous work in varying and adverse weather, traverse uneven or rugged terrain, and safely operate equipment on rough, uneven, or slippery surfaces.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in plumbing, construction, or mechanical repairs.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair, and operate wastewater treatment facilities, pump stations, gravity sewer lines, lift stations, force mains, and associated equipment and facilities.
• Perform utility installation work, including construction layouts and establishing grades.
• Operate and maintain utility service trucks, backhoes, dump trucks, trailers, loaders, sewer-cleaning and flushing equipment, cutting and welding equipment, pumps, trenching and boring machines, dewatering systems, locating and leak-detection devices, and hand and power tools.
• For Tech II and Tech III roles, train new technicians and serve in a lead capacity when required.
• Perform or supervise installation, rebuilding, and repair of wastewater pipelines, vaults, valves, backflow preventors, pumps, chemical-feed equipment, generators, and other mechanical equipment.
• Isolate water and wastewater lines for repair, inspection, or construction.
• Form and pour concrete; rebuild and restore curbs and sidewalks; and adjust valve-box rims and covers to grade.
• Perform building and grounds maintenance as needed.
• Read, interpret, and follow blueprints, utility maps, as-built plans, record drawings, manuals, schematics, and other technical materials.
• Prepare parts, equipment, and tools for daily work; maintain daily work records; complete activity reports and work orders.
• Promote job-site safety through traffic control and proper equipment placement, and act as the competent person for confined-space and excavation safety compliance when the maintenance supervisor is absent.
• Respond to after-hours emergency repair calls and participate in emergency or disaster response activities as required.
• Communicate clearly and tactfully, follow oral and written instructions, and perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Additional lift-station-section incentive pay: $0.50 per hour for Tech I A, $1.00 per hour for Tech I B through Tech II, and $1.50 per hour for Tech III; the incentive is reflected in the stated salary range.
• Eligible veterans and spouses of disabled veterans receive priority consideration in employment.

What This Job Offers

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