Wastewater Maintenance Technician/Trainee (Industrial Mechanic)

Arlington County VA•Arlington, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Arlington County's Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking skilled mechanics and maintenance professionals to join the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) as Wastewater Maintenance Technician/Trainees (WMT) through a paid apprenticeship program. The WPCP is a state-of-the-art, highly automated advanced wastewater treatment facility. Selected candidates will participate in a structured four-year job training/work apprenticeship program, which offers a career path from Wastewater Maintenance Technician/Trainee to the highest-level Wastewater Maintenance Technician at full performance. The apprenticeship program includes extensive County-paid technical courses and training, a structural and pipe welding certification and CDL License, defined expectations of accomplishment, and a compensation plan based upon the achievement of new skills.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED or the equivalent.
One (1) year of mechanical experience (for Apprentice Level 1).
Must obtain a valid Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within the first year of employment.
One (1) year of experience in wastewater maintenance (for Apprentice Level 2).
One (1) additional year of experience in wastewater maintenance (for Apprentice Level 3).
Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in mechanical repair or the maintenance of a wastewater treatment facility (for Full Performance Level).
A year of directly related technical school training beyond the high school level or a college degree in Engineering or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of the experience requirement.
Applicant must possess and maintain a valid Class B CDL or must obtain within one year of employment for level 1.
Applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or provide a copy of official driving record.
Applicant must consent to Arlington County to obtain from previous employer's information required by DOT agency regulations concerning drug and alcohol testing information.
Must be able to pass a respirator fit test and work in confined spaces.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on mechanical repair in automotive, diesel, heavy equipment, manufacturing, or military maintenance settings.
Troubleshooting and repairing pumps, motors, hydraulic systems, gearboxes, or engine components.
Working in industrial environments with exposure to heavy machinery, confined spaces, and safety protocols.
Welding experience (any discipline — MIG, TIG, arc, acetylene).
Reading and interpreting blueprints, technical manuals, or equipment schematics.
Independently diagnosing mechanical problems and determining repair solutions with minimal supervision.
Working in fast-paced environments where priorities shift quickly — balancing planned maintenance with emergency response.
Collaborating across trades and work groups to complete projects safely and on schedule.

Responsibilities

Inspecting, diagnosing, and repairing industrial mechanical equipment including pumps, blowers, compressors, valves, gearboxes, conveyors, sluice gates, and diesel/gasoline engines using diagnostic tools, blueprints, and factory specifications.
Performing horizontal and vertical welding, fabrication, and brazing using acetylene, arc, MIG, and TIG welders on ferrous and nonferrous metals; making precision cuts using band saws and plasma cutters.
Evaluating equipment condition and maintenance needs by analyzing age, maintenance history, operational data, and life expectancy to develop project plans for predictive, preventive, and corrective action.
Assessing project scope for repair, replacement, and installation work — including resource needs (equipment, personnel, budget) and coordinating or monitoring contractor performance and quality of work.
Operating and maintaining hand and power tools, precision instruments, rigging equipment, and shop machinery including grinders, hydraulic presses, pipe threaders, calipers, and micrometers.
Installing, maintaining, and renovating complex industrial systems and equipment in the WPCP, along with Water and Sewer Lift Stations.