Utilities System Specialist - Apprentice - UIC Municipal Services

UIC Alaska•North Slope, AK

108d•Hybrid

About The Position

UIC Municipal Services is seeking a Utilities System Specialist (USS) Apprentice to work in Utqiagvik. The mission of UIC Municipal Services is to help the North Slope Borough achieve their goals of sustaining and improving the quality of life for residents by providing cost-effective and well-coordinated essential municipal services. During their certification training, the USS Apprentice will work with a Utility System Specialist on the operation and maintenance of treatment, distribution, and collection systems. The apprentice will be under the direct supervision of a Utility System Specialist and will work with a team of local operators to maintain the operational and regulatory compliance status of local municipal water and sewer utility systems. The USS Apprentice will rotate through seven villages on the North Slope, with populations ranging from 250 to 1000 residents. The work schedule will be a minimum of 10 hours daily, with longer days for repairs and call-outs. Summer water pumping will require 12-hour days for approximately three months. The rotation schedule is 3 weeks on (23 days) followed by 3 weeks off (19 days). A $70 per diem is provided daily. The USS Apprentice will be provided with local housing (no camp). Travel from Anchorage or Fairbanks to the villages is paid by the employer; all other travel expenses are the employee's responsibility. The USS Apprentice will report directly to the Field Operations Lead or the Project Manager if the Field Operations Lead is unavailable. Responsibilities include equipment preventative maintenance and repairs, directing or accomplishing excavation and repair of buried pipes in arctic conditions, and repair of individual residential and commercial service connections. The USS Apprentice will be trained to maintain, clean, and organize water and wastewater plants, maintain daily reporting to the central office in Utqiagvik, and report emergency incidents. They will communicate system issues to engineers, keep daily water and wastewater logs on Windows software, and prepare and send wastewater samples for monthly discharge monitoring reports. These are municipal sites and systems, not industrial. The USS Apprentice must be able to interface with the public, maintain a professional demeanor, and work with municipal employees to maintain utility service. On-the-job training of local operators may be required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to pass a respirator fit test.
Ability to follow directions and respond to requests from the Utility Systems Supervisor (USS), Training Administrator, and other Water & Sewer Project staff.
Willingness to study exam preparation materials outside of normal working hours.
Ability to coordinate with the Training Administrator and proctors to schedule and complete required certification exams during off-rotation periods.

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) regulations for utility plant operations.
Maintain a safe working environment and promptly report safety concerns to the supervisor.
Support, train, or mentor local utility operators as needed or as directed.
Communicate with the central office daily via phone or email.
Perform operational tasks at small water and wastewater treatment facilities.
Operate and maintain water distribution and wastewater collection systems.
Inspect, operate, monitor, and maintain equipment and systems in water/wastewater treatment processes.
Monitor plant operations using visual inspection and SCADA systems.
Regulate flows and conduct chemical analyses to ensure water quality.
Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements for treated water and wastewater effluent.
Perform seasonal raw water pumping and treatment to ensure adequate reserves.
Maintain operation logs and inspect system components such as fire hydrants, pumps, generators, and valves.
Conduct annual inspections of residential service barrel connections.
Complete daily work order reporting, including incidents, repairs, and callouts.
Support preventive and corrective maintenance of utility plants and infrastructure.
Implement emergency protocols to protect public safety and utility operations during system failures.
Coordinate with local resources to identify, isolate, and repair leaks within operator capabilities.
Issue public notifications such as boil water advisories or service shutdowns.
Provide temporary water and sewer solutions to affected residents during service interruptions.
Maintain inventory of utility plant parts and supplies; solicit quotes and submit purchase requisitions.
Submit service requests to the local municipality for facility and equipment repairs outside W&S scope.
Coordinate water and sewer repair efforts with the local village supervisor.
Act as the water/sewer plant manager and oversee all related activities as needed.
Assume lead operator responsibilities in the absence of a local operator.
Operate heavy equipment if authorized and pre-approved.
Monitor the assigned village cell phone for operational or emergency needs.
Be available for 24-hour call-outs and work varied shifts as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.