City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Water Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Assistant

Under general supervision, this position performs a variety of moderately complex 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. Performs in both operations and maintenance disciplines with demonstrated competency in both disciplines.

1. Performs process control tasks under normal, temporary, and emergency operating conditions; conducts tests to determine proper chemical feed rates, calibrate field instruments, and make changes to chemical pumping rate as required.
2. Maintains balanced and consistent operation of plant equipment based on established process control techniques.
3. Ensures plant processes are always operating within regulated parameters as mandated by State, Federal, and department requirements; reports out-of-compliance occurrences to supervisor and superintendent.
4. Performs preventative maintenance tasks such as lubrication, changing equipment oil/fluids, and installing packing, bearings, and seals.
5. Performs predictive and corrective maintenance on specialized treatment facility equipment such as pumps, blowers, clarifiers, and valves.
6. Troubleshoots and resolves mechanical and process failures; conducts routine rounds of the plant to monitor treatment process, identify and troubleshoot process, resolve anomalies or mechanical problems with plant equipment; and escalates more complex issues as necessary.
7. Monitors and interprets data from SCADA systems, computerized control systems, and instrument panels and gauges in order to make basic to advanced process changes under normal and temporary operating conditions.
8. Maintains facility operations and maintenance records using log books, databases, and spreadsheets; assists with generating trend analysis and reports from historical data.
9. Assists with on-the-job training of Water Treatment Plant Workers and Water Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Associates.
10. Acts as a member of Confined Space Entry Team and may serve as entrant, attendant, or lead.

• Knowledge of stormwater pump station, water/wastewater treatment, lift stations, and/or water systems operations processes and procedures, and regulatory requirements under normal operation conditions.
• Knowledge of basic to moderate utility mathematical formulas including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, decimalized numbers, fractions, and percentages.
• Knowledge of basic chemistry, chemical properties, and methods and precautions for receiving, storing, and handling of hazardous chemicals.
• Knowledge of diagnostic techniques and troubleshooting methodology.
• Skill in reading diagrams and technical drawings.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in operating a motor vehicle and motorized equipment.
• Skill in operating manual and automated valves, pumps, and control systems.
• Skill in using hand tools and power tools.
• Skill in precision alignment of rotating equipment.
• Skill in using lifts, hoists, and rigging.
• Skill in preparing written reports.
• Ability to operate and select proper breathing apparatus and respirators, which includes SCBA and atmospheric monitors, in compliance with Utility Respiratory Protection Policy/Procedures.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to read and follow technical guidelines and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to take 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.

Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus three (3) years of experience in a work environment such as stormwater pump station, process control, operations, water distribution or wastewater collections, construction, or in the operation, repair, and maintenance of mechanical or industrial equipment.

• Austin Water (AW) positions:
  • Must hold appropriate TCEQ License as specified by position at time of hire or promotion.
  • May require a valid Texas Commercial Driver's License with endorsements.
  • Valid current Texas Class C Driver License.
  • Must be certified for Respiratory Protection and Confined-Space Entry Program at time of promotion or within six (6) months of employment.
  • Water Treatment Plant Operations: TCEQ Class C Surface Water License.
  • Water Distribution Systems Facility: TCEQ Class C Water Distribution License or TCEQ Class C Surface Water License.
  • Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations: TCEQ Class C Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License.
  • Collection Systems Facility: TCEQ Class C Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License or TCEQ Class II Wastewater Collection System License.
    
    
• Watershed Protection (WPD) positions:
  • May require a valid Texas Commercial Driver License with endorsements.
  • Valid current Texas Class C Driver License.
  • Must be certified for Respiratory Protection and Confined-Space Entry Program at time of promotion or within six (6) months of employment.

• Ability to work in hazardous environments with exposure to hazardous chemicals and solvents.
• Ability to climb ladders and work at heights of up to 200 feet.
• Ability to work in confined spaces up to 100 feet deep requiring the use of SRL Body Harness that supports up to 283 pounds.
• Ability to walk, stand, sit, bend, stoop, twist, push, pull, climb, kneel, crawl, and lift/carry up to fifty (50) pounds unassisted.