Utility Lead Operator Internal Applicants Only

City of Kenai • Kenai, AK

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Utility Lead Operator is an employee of the Public Works Department working under the direction of the Utility Foreman I/II. The Lead Operator is licensed by the State of Alaska to work in all phases of Wastewater Treatment, Wastewater Collections, Water Treatment and Water Distribution. This position leads and participates in the daily operation, maintenance, and repair of the Utility facilities and systems, and all structures, buildings and grounds associated with each system ensuring all State and Federal laws and regulations are followed. Contacts are primarily with co-workers to exchange information, contractors, and state and federal agencies.

Requirements

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Three (3) years’ experience in water distribution, wastewater treatment, wastewater collections, and/or water treatment or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• The applicant (or employee after hire) must possess licensing issued by the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation in all of the following: Water Treatment (WT), Water Distribution (WD), or Waste Water Collection (WWC) Wastewater Treatment (WWT).
• The Lead Operator will hold at least 2 of these licenses at a minimum of level 2, or 1 of those licenses at a minimum of level 3, or meet this requirement within one (1) year of employment.
• The utility lead will obtain the next level of certification for City Utility Systems within one (1) year of acquiring the required hours of operation.
• Continuing education to maintain certification is also required.
• This requirement continues until the employee reaches the level of certification required by Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to operate City of Kenai facilities.
• Possess a valid Alaska driver’s license within thirty (30) days of employment start date and prior to operating a City vehicle.
• Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request.
• Possess and maintain a valid Alaska commercial driver’s license with endorsements and without restrictions required to operate equipment utilized by the Utility division within six (6) months of employment start date.
• All licenses must be valid and current prior to operating a City vehicle requiring a commercial driver’s license.
• Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request.
• This position is governed by the City of Kenai’s Drug and Alcohol policy and Department of Transportation (DOT) CDL regulations.
• The successful applicant will be given a conditional job offer conditioned on the applicant receiving a negative result on a pre-employment drug test.
• Regulations also require the City to verify the applicant’s CDL is non-prohibited through the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (FMCSA).
• Past violations may make the applicant ineligible for hire unless evidence is provided to the City that the applicant has successfully completed DOT’s Return to Duty Requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Additional or higher levels of certification in Waste Water Treatment (WWT), Water Treatment (WT), Water Distribution (WD), and/or Waste Water Collection (WWC)
• Experience in the use of heavy equipment (e.g., vactor trucks and forklifts)
• Training or certification in hazardous communications, confined space, and Lock-out/Tag-out
• Experience using the following software: Wonderware, Arcview, and Microsoft Office including Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in operation, maintenance, and repair the wastewater treatment plant and collections system to meet the Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) permit.
• Operates the Water Plant and distribution systems to meet Federal and State of Alaska Drinking Water Standards.
• Troubleshoots equipment and informs Utility Foreman of any issues.
• Train assigned employees in their areas of work, including proper utility methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Select appropriate guidelines and procedures for assigned tasks; schedule work and major maintenance projects.
• Lead and participate in operating, maintaining, and repairing equipment; including, but not limited to: screw pumps, filter press, screens, grit handling systems, flumes, clarifiers, aeration basins, blowers, chlorination equipment, aerobic digester, conveyor belts, vactor truck, standby power equipment, telemetry equipment.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Oversee operation of the laboratory, including record keeping, quality assurance procedures, and ordering of chemicals and supplies used in the laboratory.
• Collects samples and performs laboratory analysis
• Keeps all equipment clean and in operable condition.
• Participates in decisions for the procurement of parts and supplies needed for operations, repair, and maintenance of equipment.
• Conduct periodic inventory and prepare inventory reports.
• Maintain the plant area and surrounding grounds.
• Communicate effectively with co-workers and the public.
• Prepare documents and maintain records, including but not limited to daily logs, timesheets, accident reports, and job safety analyses.
• Assist in other Public Works departments or divisions as required.
• Attend training programs; Stay up to date with technologies and methods.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations applicable to water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment systems and safety.
• Utilizes knowledge of electrical, instrumentation, plumbing, and mechanical systems related to the water/wastewater industry.
• Complete assigned work with a minimum of supervision.
• Have regular, reliable and predictable attendance at work.
• Perform other work as assigned.

Benefits

• The employee must be available to work varying schedules including weekends, holidays and occasional shift extensions into the late evening hours in order to respond to after-hours emergencies, and approved stand-by shifts.
• The employee will be required to respond to emergency call-outs when available and comply with any requirements of approved stand-by pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed