Water Production Operator Trainee

• -- The salary advertised represents Step 1 on the pay table.

Additional steps may be available depending on qualifications. ---

This position is eligible for advancement under the City's Automatic Promotion Policy.

Under general supervision, performs daily work assignments for the Water Production Division of the Utilities Department in accordance with the Employee Manual, Department Policies and Procedures, City of Alamogordo Ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal authority.

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent;

• Experience working in a construction and/or maintenance environment; and

• Valid New Mexico Driver's License with a driving record acceptable to the City of Alamogordo (valid out-of-state license may be considered acceptable until NM CDL is obtained).

Required within six (6) months:

• Valid New Mexico Class A Commercial Driver's License with Tank (N) endorsement and a driving record acceptable to the City of Alamogordo. Skills testing shall be performed in a commercial vehicle equipped with a manual transmission;

• OSHA-compliant Flagger certification; and

• Successful completion of NM811 training (Excavation Law Class).

Required within eighteen (18) months:

• Water Supply Level 1 (WS1) certification* issued by the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission.

• The NMED Utility Operator Certification Program determines minimum qualifications for certifications. Testing eligibility and renewal requirements are subject to change pursuant to the Program.

• Interprets all charts, trends, graphs, and test results;

• Monitors, operates, and adjusts controls at a water treatment plant, pumping plants, wells, and reservoir facilities;

• Monitors, interprets, and adjusts computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) controls;

• Initiates timely reports or notices if unusual or emergency situations occur;

• Conducts operational inspections of potable water production equipment and facilities to locate and report needed repairs and maintenance;

• Regulates pressures and flow rates in accordance with demand, storage, and production from other sources;

• Reads, records, interprets, and acts on information taken from computers, gauges, dials, and other instruments.

• Controls the application of hazardous materials and chemicals associated with water treatment  processes;

• Secures and transports hazardous chemicals to various facility locations and assists with the transport function by off-loading and loading hazardous chemicals for transport;

• Assists in the collection of various water samples for laboratory analysis and performs simple water quality analysis tests;

• Inspects potable water production equipment and facilities to locate and report needed repairs and maintenance;

• Receives supplies delivered and ensures that they are properly stored; reports need for materials to Foreman or designee;

• Performs general potable water production facility upkeep such as sweeping, mopping, cleaning, sanding, and painting; performs general groundskeeping and housekeeping as required;

• Performs preventative maintenance; oils, greases, cleans, and otherwise service potable water production equipment; uses hand and power tools to remove, install, and make minor repairs, modifications, or additions to potable water production facilities;

• Participates in potable water production process controls, monitors equipment, and contributes to and maintains daily logs;

• Reports and/or corrects unsafe working conditions;

• May participate in guiding tours and explaining operations to visiting groups; 

• Responds to service complaints; informs the customer of necessary actions;

• Assists in traffic control on worksites, as assigned;

• Drives a City vehicle in the performance of duties;

• Contributes to a high-quality work culture through participation in training and mentoring to develop skills, including safety-related training and skills;

• Interacts professionally and provides excellent customer service to all levels of City staff and citizens to ensure high operational and service standards; and

• Performs duties in accordance with the Employee Manual, Department Policies and Procedures, City of Alamogordo Ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal authority.

OTHER IMPORTANT DUTIES

• Must obtain and maintain required licenses and certifications;

• Upon completion of the initial probationary period, required to perform on-call rotation duties outside of normal work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays;

• Non-traditional work hours are necessary during evenings, weekends, and holidays to prevent or reduce the disruption of water services to customers;

• Maintains the confidentiality of information obtained during the performance of duties; and

• Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles of customer relations;

• Safe operation of vehicles and equipment; and

• Basic mathematical principles.

Skill and Ability to:

• Demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication; understand and follow instructions;

• Perform tasks and other daily activities in a positive and professional manner alongside employees of varied backgrounds and personalities;

• Attend work, as scheduled and on a regular basis, to effectively perform the position's essential duties and responsibilities;

• Exercise common sense and good judgment in the performance of essential duties;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;

• Maintain pertinent records and compile data into written reports;

• Operate and monitor water treatment process equipment;

• Perform heavy manual labor;

• Perform routine to intermediate maintenance, repairs, and installations to potable water production equipment such as pumps, valves, and electronic monitoring devices;

• Maintain professionalism under pressure; 

• Respond quickly and positively to customer complaints; and

• Operate office equipment, including computers and supporting software applications.

Ability to Learn:

• Proper traffic control compliance using the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (M.U.T.C.D.) standards to ensure employee safety with equal considerations for public safety and convenience;

• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices and procedures; safety practices when working around electricity, gas, water, and sewer systems;

• Job related O.S.H.A. requirements;

• Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (PL93-523);

• New Mexico Environment Department Water Quality Bureau;

• New Mexico Motor Vehicle Code; and

• City of Alamogordo Ordinances, City-wide Policies and Procedures, current City of Alamogordo Technical Standards, Departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and any other applicable laws regulated by an outside authority.

• Work is typically performed outdoors and may be subject to inclement weather conditions;

• Daily physical labor that includes extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, bending, reaching, climbing ladders, lifting heavy objects, and swinging heavy hammers;

• May be subject to repetitive motion such as painting, digging, driving;

• Lift and/or move items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds; the lifting of any object greater than fifty (50) pounds by a single individual is prohibited. Lifting objects, materials, or equipment weighing more than fifty (50) pounds requires the buddy system or the use of devices designed to assist with lifting or moving. Proper lifting techniques shall be used when lifting items of any weight;

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud;

• May be exposed to hazardous traffic conditions as well as hazardous chemicals, contaminants, pathogens, and toxins;

• Will work near gas lines, meters, and other utilities, including electricity;

• Work will be performed near moving mechanical parts; and possibly in high or precarious places;

• Hazards include exposure to insects, rodents, snakes, and other wildlife typical of the southwest;

• Terrain may be uneven or undeveloped; and

• Required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for job assignments, including protective footwear, marked by the manufacturer, with a minimum standard of M/F I/75/C75, 6" ankle height work boots, per current ASTM F2413 standard.