Plant Systems Technician I/II

City of Escondido•Escondido, CA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Escondido’s Utilities Department/Wastewater Division is hiring a Plant Systems Technician I/II. Under general supervision at Level I or direction at Level II, the position performs skilled and semi-skilled maintenance and repair at the City’s water and/or wastewater treatment plants and related facilities, and performs or assists with mechanical equipment repair and fabrication. Plant Systems Technician I is the entry-level class, with assignments generally involving routine tasks performed within established procedures and with more immediate supervision. Advancement to Level II depends on demonstrated proficiency, required licenses and certifications, completion of Department progression criteria, and department-head approval. Plant Systems Technician II is the journey-level class, responsible for the full range of assigned duties and potentially serving as lead worker for a small crew. Level II employees receive occasional instruction or assistance for new or unusual situations. The position maintains treatment plant equipment, pump and lift stations, and related facilities; repairs, rebuilds, and fabricates equipment and parts; operates vehicles, machinery, and tools; and maintains work and inventory records. It may involve confined-space work and emergency standby coverage, including after-hours, weekends, and holidays. The listed monthly salary ranges are $6,328–$8,480 for Technician I and $7,159–$9,594 for Technician II.

Requirements

Plant Systems Technician I: High school completion or equivalent, supplemented by specialized training or coursework in mechanical repair.
Plant Systems Technician I: Two years of full-time-equivalent experience maintaining equipment and machinery, including pumps, valves and valve operators, chemical feed equipment, or mechanical conveyance.
Plant Systems Technician II: Completion of progression criteria established by the Department.
Plant Systems Technician II: Two years of full-time-equivalent responsible experience performing duties comparable to a City of Escondido Plant Systems Technician I, or comparable maintenance experience with water/wastewater or equivalent industrial equipment and machinery. Experience must include repair, rebuilding, and fabrication of precision parts for pumps, motors, and other mechanical equipment, as well as repair, installation, alignment, and test operation of that equipment.
Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Plant Systems Technician II: Possession of a valid Grade 2 Plant Maintenance Mechanical Technologist certificate.
Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, associated mechanical and electrical equipment, and basic mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical principles.
Knowledge of maintenance and repair methods, materials, tools, equipment, welding, safety practices, confined-space hazards, mathematics, applicable codes and regulations, record keeping, and customer service.
Ability to read, explain, and follow blueprints, mechanical drawings, manuals, and oral and written instructions.
Ability to install, align, test, operate, and maintain mechanical equipment, including pumps, valves, piping, chemical-feed equipment, and mechanical-conveyance equipment.
Ability to follow safe work practices, maintain work records using the City Works Asset Management program, interpret procedures, perform equipment-calibration calculations, and respond to maintenance and repair emergencies.
Ability to use alignment instruments such as lasers, dial indicators, micrometers, and calipers, and electrical testers on circuits of 48 volts DC or less.
Ability to test, maintain, and install lead-acid batteries and engine-driven equipment starting, charging, and ignition systems.
Ability to work in confined spaces while wearing a respirator and safely operate trucks, compressors, forklifts, cranes, drill presses, welding equipment, and hand and power tools.
Ability to communicate clearly, follow instructions, maintain good housekeeping, appreciate community cultural diversity, and establish effective working relationships.
Ability to read, write, and speak English.
Successful completion of required background investigation and medical examination; provide verification of legal authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Journey-level certification as a welder or millwright is desirable.
Plant Systems Technician II: Prior directly related experience and required licenses and certifications are required for outside candidates.

Responsibilities

Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on equipment at water and wastewater treatment plants, pump/lift stations, and allied facilities.
Troubleshoot, maintain, repair, rebuild, and replace valves, pumps, compressors, blowers, centrifuges, grinders, mixers, gear drives, generators, piping, and related equipment.
Repair, rebuild, measure, design, weld, and fabricate equipment parts; use gas and arc welding techniques to heat, cut, braze, or weld.
Evaluate precision parts against OEM tolerances and provide information to machine shops for repair or fabrication.
Inspect equipment, make preventive-maintenance adjustments, and service and lubricate equipment.
Perform general maintenance, including cleaning and painting pump stations, pump housing, vaults, equipment, and related properties.
Operate and maintain vehicles, equipment, and hand and power tools, including compressors, forklifts, commercial vehicles, cranes, drill presses, and welding equipment; clean, maintain, and calibrate assigned equipment.
Take precautions and use air-quality monitors and ventilators when working in confined spaces with potentially hazardous atmospheres.
Maintain inventory, assist with ordering replacement parts and equipment, research prices, and coordinate with suppliers and contractors to ensure correct equipment is ordered.
Maintain records of operations, maintenance, work performed, time, materials, and work-order status.
Serve in emergency standby capacity and provide plant and pump-station maintenance and repair after hours, including weekends and holidays.
When assigned, lead a small crew, meet with subcontractors to set up jobs, and help train employees in work practices, policies, procedures, and standards.
Perform related duties as required.