Austin Water Treatment Plant Worker - Austin Water

City of Austin • Austin, TX

1d • $22 - $24 • Onsite

About The Position

Austin Water provides water and wastewater services to more than 1 million people across 544 square miles in the Austin metropolitan area. Its water and wastewater treatment operations are designed to deliver safe, high-quality water and protect environmental resources.

Working under close supervision, the Water Treatment Plant Worker performs basic operational and general maintenance support at a water or wastewater treatment plant, or at a wastewater collection or water distribution facility. The worker follows established procedures to maintain grounds and facilities and assists plant operations and maintenance technicians, including working with a team on more complex tasks.

The position may be based at the Ullrich, Davis, or Handcox Water Treatment Plant. Work location and shift assignments are based on business needs and may change. This is an essential employee position that may require weekend, holiday, overtime, callback, and on-call work. In a City-designated emergency, the employee may be called back, have their schedule modified, work at a designated site, or remain on site to support operations and recovery. The position requires a pre-employment physical and functional strength/agility test, as well as the ability to qualify for respiratory protection and confined-space entry.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent.
• Valid current Texas Class C Driver License, or ability to acquire one by the hire date; must meet City of Austin Driver Safety Program eligibility standards.
• May be required to obtain a valid Texas Commercial Driver License with endorsements within 120 days of hire.
• Must be able to become certified for the Respiratory Protection and Confined-Space Entry Program within six months of employment and maintain certification.
• Knowledge of City of Austin policies and procedures related to treatment operations and safety practices.
• Knowledge of general maintenance practices, grounds and facility maintenance, basic arithmetic, powered equipment, and hand and power tools.
• Skill in operating motorized equipment and ability to learn basic computer skills.
• Ability to work in potentially hazardous atmospheres; in permit and non-permit confined spaces; at heights up to 200 feet; and in confined spaces up to 100 feet deep.
• Ability to safely wear an anti-fall SRL body harness for confined-space entry that supports up to 283 pounds.
• Ability to walk, stand, sit, bend, stoop, twist, push, pull, climb, kneel, crawl, and lift or carry up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, read technical guidelines and standard operating procedures, take simple readings from meters, gauges, control panels, and testing and monitoring equipment, and maintain effective working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including a self-contained breathing apparatus; candidates must be clean-shaven to meet respiratory protection program guidelines.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical exam, including a functional strength/agility test.

Nice To Haves

• Mechanical experience, including maintenance and repairs on vehicles, machines, or motorized equipment.
• Manual labor experience, including equipment and building maintenance, routine painting, plumbing, or construction.
• Experience using industrial lawn-care equipment such as gas-powered weed-eaters and blowers, hydrostatic riding mowers, chainsaws, pneumatic power tools, pressure washers, and hand tools.
• Knowledge of safety practices required in an industrial or shop environment.
• Organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate and check powered and non-powered equipment, including backhoes, bobcats, weed-eaters, vacuums, buffers, lawn mowers, rider mowers, and front-end loaders; adjust equipment, including chemical feeds, as directed.
• Clean and maintain equipment and facilities.
• Assist plant operation and maintenance technicians with mechanical maintenance tasks.
• Under the direction of a licensed operator, assist with process-control tasks such as basic flow control, sampling, basic laboratory testing, normal pump and blower operation, and chemical-feed adjustments.
• Handle hazardous and non-hazardous solvents and chemicals.
• Read and interpret simple drawings and diagrams, and read gauges and meters.
• Maintain records and enter and retrieve data using CMMS software.
• May serve as an entrant or assistant on a confined-space team.
• Perform building, campus, and grounds maintenance and assist with plant equipment maintenance and repair.
• May work weekends, holidays, overtime, callback, or on-call assignments, and support essential operations during emergencies.

Benefits

• Medical benefits
• Paid leave time
• Retirement plan through the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System
• Training opportunities
• Potential retention incentive bonus of up to $3,000, paid in installments after 90 days, 180 days, one year, and two years
• Generous leave and work-life balance programs
• Wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support
• Professional development and leadership opportunities
• Access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure

What This Job Offers

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