Water/Sewer Plant Mechanic, Lead

City of High Point•Thomasville, NC

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Water/Sewer Plant Mechanic leads and participates in the maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and replacement of machinery and equipment essential to the operation of water and/or wastewater treatment plants and pump/lift stations. This role provides day-to-day leadership and technical guidance to utility plant maintenance personnel, helping ensure equipment and facilities remain safe, reliable, and ready to support continuous plant operations. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Assistant Superintendent, with responsibility for coordinating maintenance activities and addressing a variety of skilled mechanical challenges.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Valid driver’s license issued by North Carolina or another state.
Minimum of five years of mechanical experience, preferably in a municipal water and/or wastewater environment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City departments, employees, contractors, and the public.
Strong attention to detail and the ability to communicate and conduct oneself professionally.
Ability to safely climb ladders at pump/lift stations and perform work in a variety of plant and field environments.
Ability to hear and understand normal speech, two-way radio communications, equipment alarms, warning signals, and other sounds necessary to safely perform the job.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and others, including during emergency situations and while working in noisy environments.
Hearing ability must meet applicable City standards for safe performance of the essential functions of the position.
Ability to see clearly at near and far distances, with or without corrective lenses, as necessary to safely perform mechanical work.
Ability to read equipment labels, gauges, work orders, manuals, measurements, and other job-related information.
Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships while operating equipment, climbing ladders, handling tools, and performing mechanical work.
Ability to distinguish colors when necessary to safely identify equipment, wiring, piping, controls, warning indicators, and other components.
Ability to see adequately in low-light conditions and during emergency or nighttime work.
Ability to use required respiratory protective equipment, including enclosed or full-face respiratory protection, when assigned.
Ability to use sight, hearing, smell, and touch to identify equipment conditions, environmental hazards, and potential safety concerns.
Medium to heavy physical work, including exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects and equipment.
Ability to walk, stand, climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stretch, lift, carry, and sit or work in a variety of positions and on uneven surfaces.
Ability to climb and descend ladders at pump/lift stations while carrying or wearing necessary tools and personal protective equipment.
Ability to work safely in confined and enclosed spaces and maneuver in areas with limited space.
Ability to use both hands and arms for frequent reaching, handling, grasping, turning, and fine motor tasks involving tools, equipment, fasteners, and other small components.
Ability to maintain the physical stamina necessary to work extended periods during emergency situations and under adverse weather conditions.
Ability to apply logical thinking and sound judgment to diagnose equipment problems, determine appropriate repairs, and respond to changing conditions.
Ability to understand and follow safety requirements, operating procedures, technical instructions, and applicable regulations.
Ability to respond effectively and efficiently to equipment failures, emergencies, and other situations requiring immediate attention.
Ability to work independently, prioritize maintenance needs, and make sound decisions within established guidelines.
Ability to provide direction and training to other maintenance personnel.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic and measurements needed for mechanical work, inventory, parts, tools, and equipment.
Ability to use electronic, mechanical, digital, and analog instruments and equipment.
Ability to perform basic calculations related to equipment operation, including speed, flow, measurements, and other job-related applications.
Ability to read and understand safety information, equipment manuals, work orders, operating procedures, reports, rules, regulations, and other job-related documents.
Ability to complete maintenance records, reports, work orders, notes, labels, and other written documentation accurately.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with supervisors, coworkers, City personnel, contractors, and others in person, by telephone, and over two-way radio, including during emergency situations.
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors and may involve exposure to extreme heat and cold, rain, sleet, snow, ice, fog, wind, and other adverse weather conditions.
Work may require extended hours or emergency response during severe weather, equipment failures, or other emergency situations.
Work may occur in or around wastewater treatment facilities, pump/lift stations, underground structures, and confined or enclosed spaces.
May be exposed to sewage, wastewater, odors, dust, pollen, smoke, and other environmental conditions commonly associated with utility plant operations.
Work may be performed in areas with elevated noise levels from pumps, motors, blowers, compressors, ventilation systems, and other mechanical equipment.
Potential exposure to grease, lubricants, petroleum products, chemicals, hazardous materials, sewage, wastewater, and other substances associated with water and wastewater treatment operations.
Work may involve exposure to electrical, mechanical, chemical, biological, and other occupational hazards.
Must follow OSHA requirements, City safety policies, and applicable procedures for personal protective equipment and safe work practices.
Candidates selected for employment must undergo (a.) a physical to determine whether they will be able to safely complete the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation (b.) a drug screening, in accordance with the City’s drug and alcohol policy and (c.) a background screening to determine whether there is any current, pending or previous charge, conviction or other infraction deemed incompatible with service in the capacity for which the candidate is being hired.
Candidates selected for employment must undergo (a.) a drug screening, in accordance with the City’s drug and alcohol policy and (b.) a background screening to determine whether there is any current, pending, or previous charge, conviction or other infraction deemed incompatible with service in the capacity for which the candidate is being hired.
In lieu of or in addition to background screening, candidates selected for employment in a position that requires working with children in any capacity must be fingerprinted and undergo a criminal history record check conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Certain positions are considered so critical to the health and safety of others that a candidate cannot be placed in any such position without passing a pre-placement physical exam.
The City offers employment to successful candidates conditioned upon the City’s receipt of satisfactory results from all required screenings, checks, and exams, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

Experience maintaining and repairing wastewater treatment equipment.
Experience operating a boom truck.

Responsibilities

Plans, coordinates, and directs repair, replacement, and maintenance activities for utility plant equipment and systems.
Inspects equipment and maintains accurate records and reports on equipment condition, maintenance activities, and repairs.
Trains, guides, and leads utility plant mechanics and assists with employee performance evaluations.
Troubleshoots pumping and treatment equipment and directs repair efforts to restore equipment to proper operation.
Identifies equipment, materials, and improvements needed for annual budget planning and prepares related purchase and budget documentation.
Coordinates the installation of new equipment, performs and oversees pump and motor alignment, and maintains an organized inventory of spare parts and supplies.
Schedules, assigns, and monitors preventive maintenance activities, including inspection and lubrication of bearings and gearboxes, replacement of filters and belts, and checks of packing, temperature, vibration, and other operating conditions.
Leads and participates in the overhaul and repair of water and wastewater treatment machinery and equipment, including centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, grit collectors, chemical feeders, conveyors, mechanical grinders, air compressors, blowers, and ventilation systems.
Ensures maintenance and repair activities are performed safely and in accordance with OSHA requirements and City safety standards and policies.
Performs additional duties as assigned.