Utilities System Specialist - Apprentice - UIC Municipal Services

UIC Alaska•Point Lay, AK

5d•Onsite

About The Position

UIC Municipal Services is hiring an apprentice to train and work with Utility System Specialists on the operation and maintenance of municipal water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment systems. The apprentice works with local operators across seven North Slope villages, whose populations range from 250 to 1,000, to maintain operational and regulatory compliance. Training includes maintaining, cleaning, and organizing water and wastewater plants; equipment preventive maintenance and repairs; and excavation and repair of buried pipes and service connections in arctic conditions. The role also includes daily reporting to the Utqiagvik central office, communicating system issues to engineers, maintaining logs using Windows software, and preparing wastewater samples for monthly discharge monitoring reports. The systems are municipal, not industrial, and the apprentice may provide on-the-job training to local operators. Assignments rotate among villages on a schedule of 23 days on and 19 days off. Work is at least 10 hours daily, with longer days for repairs and call-outs; seasonal summer water pumping involves 12-hour days for approximately three months. The apprentice must be available for 24-hour call-outs and varied shifts. Provided local housing and a $70 daily per diem are offered while on site. Employer-paid travel is provided from Anchorage or Fairbanks to the villages; other travel expenses are the employee’s responsibility. The apprentice reports directly to the Field Operations Lead, or to the Project Manager when the Field Operations Lead is unavailable.

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, Training Administrator, and other Water & Sewer Project staff.
Willingness to study exam preparation materials outside normal working hours.
Ability to coordinate with the Training Administrator and proctors to schedule and complete required certification exams during off-rotation periods.
Ability to work outdoors in extreme and varying weather, including cold, snow, wind, and rain.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly.
Ability to walk, stand, climb, kneel, bend, stoop, and crawl frequently, including in tight or uneven spaces.
Ability to climb ladders and stairs and safely access equipment and infrastructure.
Ability to use tools and equipment precisely and perform repetitive hand and finger movements.
Good balance and coordination to navigate uneven surfaces and work around mechanical hazards.
Ability to hear and respond to audible alarms and verbal instructions in noisy environments.
Visual acuity to read gauges, instruments, and written materials.
Ability to maintain concentration, follow instructions, and work with attention to safety and detail.
Ability to respond calmly and effectively to emergencies.
Ability to work in confined spaces, around moving mechanical equipment, and near hazardous chemicals.
Ability to work around loud noise, slippery or uneven surfaces, and low-light conditions.
Ability to work flexible schedules, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Availability for emergency call-outs and short-notice travel to remote project sites.
Ability to maintain a professional and respectful demeanor in residential communities and with customer representatives.
Ability to work extended shifts, including at least 10-hour days and, when needed, 12-hour seasonal pumping days.
Ability to work a village rotation of 23 days on and 19 days off.

Responsibilities

Ensure utility plant operations comply with Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation regulations.
Maintain a safe working environment and promptly report safety concerns to the supervisor.
Support, train, or mentor local utility operators as needed or directed.
Communicate daily with the central office by 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 used in water and wastewater treatment processes.
Monitor plant operations through visual inspection and SCADA systems.
Regulate flows and conduct chemical analyses to ensure water quality.
Maintain regulatory compliance for treated water and wastewater effluent.
Perform seasonal raw water pumping and treatment to ensure adequate reserves.
Maintain operation logs and inspect system components, including fire hydrants, pumps, generators, and valves.
Conduct annual inspections of residential service barrel connections.
Complete daily work order reporting, including incidents, repairs, and call-outs.
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 the water and sewer scope.
Coordinate water and sewer repairs with the local village supervisor.
Act as water/sewer plant manager and oversee related activities as needed.
Assume lead operator responsibilities when a local operator is absent.
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.
Maintain, clean, and organize water and wastewater plants; perform equipment preventive maintenance and repairs, including buried pipe and service connection repairs.
Maintain daily reports to the Utqiagvik central office, report emergencies, communicate system issues to engineers, keep daily logs using Windows software, and prepare and send wastewater samples for monthly discharge monitoring reports.
Perform on-the-job training of local operators as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.