Utility Operations & Maintenance Specialist (Wastewater)

This is skilled, technical work responsible for operation, maintenance, and repair of water treatment and transmission equipment in wastewater plants, lift stations, force mains, and/or wastewater effluent reuse facility. This position is responsible for various duties related to treatment, pumping, biosolids management, and resource recovery systems to meet wastewater system demands and clean water regulatory requirements. Specific duties vary according to assigned location(s) and employee’s Competency Level and/or skills. Work is directed and reviewed by a supervisor.

This position is eligible for progression through four competency levels with increasing levels of judgement and responsibility with corresponding pay ranges. Progression requires a combination of plant experience and specialized training.

Workdays and Hours: 

• Candidate must be able to accept:
  • 1st shift (7:30am-3:30pm), 
  • 2nd shift (3pm-11:30pm), 
  • or 3rd shift (11pm-7:30am) 
• All new employees with be trained on 1st shift Monday - Friday 7:30am - 3:30pm for 3-6 months before moving to their assigned shift.
• Employee's shift preference will be considered, shifts are assigned based on seniority, and a specific shift cannot be guaranteed at the time of hire. 
• Weekend work will be required. Overtime may be required. 
  
  Bargaining Unit: Service Employee's International (SEIU)
  
  **Employees within the department of division shall be given first consideration**
  
  **Posting may close at any time **  

• Operates and maintains plant equipment such as pumps, motors, disinfecting systems, chemical feed systems, piping, flow meters, electromechanical equipment, and other components of a Wastewater Treatment system. 
• Operates and maintains wastewater transmission components such as pump stations, force mains, pipelines, valves, air releases, vacuum breakers, and flow meters. 
• Complies with established service and preventive maintenance programs to ensure efficient operation and prolonged useful life of equipment. 
• Collects wastewater samples and performs basic chemical and biological tests. Uses results to make process change decisions. 
• Reads and records measurements and performance data from operating equipment
• Manually adjusts Wastewater Treatment process equipment, such as valves, chemical feed systems, and influent pump stations. 
• Monitors and maintains flows and pressures within all systems, including making independent decisions regarding how to balance flows to basins, wet wells, and distribution boxes. 
• Troubleshoots and repairs equipment problems.
• Operates and monitors Wastewater Treatment systems from a control center utilizing data from the Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and the Geographic Information System (GIS). 
• Operates chemical feed equipment and controls feed rates, determines chemical dosage needs for varying conditions, and makes appropriate changes in chemical feed rates as required to maintain water quality.
• Troubleshoots treatment problems associated with pH, solids level, mixing intensity, chemical dosage, and biological processes.
• Monitors weather and forecasts wet weather flows and treatment requirements.
• Records information about plant performance on log sheets or computer databases.
• Coordinates operations & maintenance activities to ensure uninterrupted operations. 
• Maintains inventory of chemicals and parts.
• May train or lead other employees on routine work, and may be in charge of plant and other employees when the supervisor is not present. 
• May operate equipment to spread biosolids on farmers’ fields. 
• More complex work assignments will be required as employees attain higher levels of competency. 
• The examples of work performed are not intended to be all-inclusive. 
• The City of Wichita reserves the right to assign additional responsibilities as needed, including but not limited to tasks performed by IEC Specialists and Water Quality Specialists.

• Knowledge of the methods, tools, and materials used in mechanical and electromechanical systems. 
• Knowledge of work hazards and ability to take necessary safety precautions. 
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals
• Ability to use a computer to access, interpret and record information
• 
  
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders and work at heights of up to 45 feet and in equipment pits multiple times per day.
• Ability to walk variable distances multiple times per shift and to bend, twist, and reach as necessary to repair equipment 
• Ability to tolerate exposure to airborne environmental nuisances associated with open grounds, exposure to chemicals and fluids used in water or wastewater treatment and in building/equipment maintenance, exposure to adverse weather conditions, and equipment and machinery noise (with the use of appropriate PPE).
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds independently.
• Ability to exert up to 100 pounds of pressure using tools that tighten, loosen, or cut. 
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather.
• Ability to be available for after-hour emergencies including on-call duties.
• Ability to drive at night. 
• May require ability to operate a bucket truck, backhoe, forklift, manlift, loader, skytrack, dump truck, large agricultural tractors, spreaders, discs, hydro-lift, liquid sludge tanker truck or other Wastewater Treatment equipment.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other employees.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• May require the ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas Class A or B Commercial Drivers License (CDL).
• Individuals with Class A or B CDL may be assigned to snow & ice removal duties. 
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

• High School diploma or GED.
• A valid driver's license.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.  

Preferred Experience and Training 

• One (1) year experience in mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing repair work or trade school training

• Trade school training in mechanics, electrical, HVAC, CDL, plumbing, pipefitting, and/or welding.
• 2-year or 4-year degree
• Water or wastewater operator certification from Kansas Department of Health and Environment or another state agency. 
• Relevant preferred experience must be clearly described in your employment history to be considered. 

Please note that this position is part of a random drug testing pool, and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.