Austin Water Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Associate – Water Treatment Plants

City of Austin • Austin, TX

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Austin Water has provided safe, reliable, high-quality and affordable water services to over 1 million people across 544 square miles in the Austin metropolitan area for more than 100 years. Austin Water has three water treatment plants: Handcox, Davis, and Ullrich. These facilities draw water from the Colorado River, filter and treat it according to federal and state standards to provide safe drinking water for the community. Austin Water also operates two wastewater treatment plants and a biosolids facility. Austin Water consistently ranks among the best in the country for water quality and exceeds federal and state requirements for clean water and environmental compliance. This position performs routine tasks to provide operational and general maintenance support at a water or wastewater treatment plant, wastewater collection, water distribution systems facility, stormwater pump station, or remote stormwater facility. The role involves working in teams to assist with more complex tasks and developing competency in both operations and maintenance disciplines.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent.
• One (1) year of experience in a similar work environment such as stormwater pumpstations, process control, plant operations, construction, or in the operation, repair and maintenance of mechanical or industrial equipment.
• Thirty (30) semester hours of relevant formal education from an accredited institute may substitute for one (1) year of work experience.
• Must obtain appropriate TCEQ License as specified by position within one (1) year of employment: Water Treatment Plant: TCEQ Class D Water Operator License. Must obtain the appropriate TCEQ Class C Water License before Class D License expires.
• May require a Valid Texas Commercial Driver's License with endorsements.
• Valid current Texas Class C Driver License.
• Must be able to become certified for Respiratory Protection and Confined-Space Entry Program within six (6) months of employment and maintain certification.
• Ability to work in environments that may have hazardous atmospheres.
• Ability to work in permit and non-permit confined spaces where there is limited or restricted means for entry and exit, or where the work activities may be hindered.
• Ability to safely wear anti-fall (SRL) body harness for confined space entry that supports up to 283 pounds.
• Ability to climb ladders and work at heights of up to 200 feet, and to work in confined spaces up to 100 feet deep.
• Ability to walk, stand, sit, bend, stoop, twist, push, pull, climb, kneel, crawl, and lift/carry up to fifty (50) pounds unassisted.
• Knowledge of general maintenance processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, decimalized numbers, fractions, and percents.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in using hand tools and power tools.
• Skill in operating a motor vehicle and motorized equipment.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to read and follow technical guidelines and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to take simple readings from meters, gauges, control panels, and testing and monitoring equipment.
• Ability to meet and maintain driver eligibility standards detailed in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program.
• Must be clean shaven to meet the Utility’s Respiratory Protection Program guidelines which requires the use of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).

Nice To Haves

• Experience maintaining and repairing mechanical industrial equipment including hydraulic systems.
• Previous pumping distribution or water treatment experience in a municipal water system.
• Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for work order and asset management, basic computer navigation skills, and the ability to learn new software applications.
• Training and/or experience in welding and the use of oxygen and acetylene torch (cutting, brazing, soldering, etc.).
• Knowledge of safety practices in the workplace including confined space entry, ladder climbing, water and boat safety, and hazardous chemicals.

Responsibilities

• Assists with process control tasks such as basic flow control, sampling, basic laboratory testing, normal operations of pumps and blowers, and adjusting chemical feeds.
• Assists with preventative maintenance tasks such as lubrication; changing equipment oil/fluids; and installing packing, bearings, and seals.
• Assists with predictive and corrective maintenance on specialized equipment such as pumps, blowers, clarifiers, and valves.
• Assists with routine rounds of the facilities to monitor treatment process and identify process anomalies or mechanical problems with plant equipment.
• Monitors data from SCADA systems and computerized control systems, instrument panels, and gauges in order to make basic process changes as directed.
• Maintains plant operations and maintenance records using log books, databases, and spreadsheets.
• Acts as member of Confined Space Entry Team and may serve as entrant or assistant.
• Performs water treatment plant operations and maintenance tasks, including operating process control systems, managing chemical dosage, testing water samples, recording and reporting results, performing mechanical work on plant equipment, and conducting preventative, scheduled, diagnostic, and corrective maintenance.

Benefits

• Medical
• Paid leave time
• Retirement plan
• Training opportunities
• Career progression plan
• Incentive Bonus of up to $3,000 ($500 after 90 days, $500 after 180 days, $1,000 after 1 year, $1,000 after 2 years)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED