Utility Lead Operator

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Utility Lead Operator is an employee of the Public Works Department working under the direction of the Utility Foreman I/II. The Lead Operator is licensed by the State of Alaska to work in all phases of Wastewater Treatment. Wastewater Collections, Water Treatment and Water Distribution. This position leads and participates in the daily operation, maintenance, and repair of the Utility facilities and systems, and all structures, buildings and grounds associated with each system ensuring all State and Federal laws and regulations are followed. Contacts are primarily with co-workers to exchange information, contractors, and state and federal agencies.

*This recruitment is scheduled to run for six (6) weeks with a review of applicants every two weeks.  If the position is filled during one of the reviews, the recruitment may close early.

1. Lead and participate in operation, maintenance, and repair the wastewater treatment plant and collections system to meet the Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) permit. Operates the Water Plant and distribution systems to meet Federal and State of Alaska Drinking Water Standards. Troubleshoots equipment and informs Utility Foreman of any issues. Train assigned employees in their areas of work, including proper utility methods, procedures, and techniques.
2. Select appropriate guidelines and procedures for assigned tasks; schedule work and major maintenance projects.
3. Lead and participate in operating, maintaining, and repairing equipment; including, but not limited to: screw pumps, filter press, screens, grit handling systems, flumes, clarifiers, aeration basins, blowers, chlorination equipment, aerobic digester, conveyor belts, vactor truck, standby power equipment, telemetry equipment.
4. Participates in the development and implementation of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
5. Oversee operation of the laboratory, including record keeping, quality assurance procedures, and ordering of chemicals and supplies used in the laboratory. Collects samples and performs laboratory analysis Keeps all equipment clean and in operable condition. Participates in decisions for the procurement of parts and supplies needed for operations, repair, and maintenance of equipment.
6. Conductperiodic inventory and prepare inventory reports.
7. Maintain the plant area and surrounding grounds.
8. Communicate effectively with co-workers and the public.
9. Prepare documents and maintain records, including but not limited to daily logs, timesheets, accident reports, and job safety analyses.
10. Assist in other Public Works departments or divisions as required.
11. Attend training programs; Stay up to date with technologies and methods. Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations applicable to water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment systems and safety. Utilizes knowledge of electrical, instrumentation, plumbing, and mechanical systems related to the water/wastewater industry.  
12. Complete assigned work with a minimum of supervision.
13. Have regular, reliable and predictable attendance at work. 
14. Perform other work as assigned. 

1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
2. Three (3) years’ experience in water distribution, wastewater treatment, wastewater collections, and/or water treatment or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
3. The applicant (or employee after hire) must possess licensing issued by the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation in all of the following: Water Treatment (WT), Water Distribution (WD), or Waste Water Collection (WWC) Wastewater Treatment (WWT).  The Lead Operator will hold at least 2 of these licenses at a minimum of level 2, or 1 of those licenses at a minimum of level 3, or meet this requirement within one (1) year of employment.  The utility lead will obtain the next level of certification for City Utility Systems within one (1) year of acquiring the required hours of operation. Continuing education to maintain certification is also required. This requirement continues until the employee reaches the level of certification required by Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to operate City of Kenai facilities. 
4. Possess a valid Alaska driver’s license within thirty (30) days of employment start date and prior to operating a City vehicle. Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request. 
5. Possess and maintain a valid Alaska commercial driver’s license with endorsements and without restrictions required to operate equipment utilized by the Utility division within six (6) months of employment start date. All licenses must be valid and current prior to operating a City vehicle requiring a commercial driver’s license. Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request.
6. This position is governed by the City of Kenai’s Drug and Alcohol policy and Department of Transportation (DOT) CDL regulations.   The successful applicant will be given a conditional job offer conditioned on the applicant receiving a negative result on a pre-employment drug test. Regulations also require the City to verify the applicant’s CDL is non-prohibited through the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (FMCSA).  Past violations may make the applicant ineligible for hire unless evidence is provided to the City that the applicant has successfully completed DOT’s Return to Duty Requirements. 
7. The employee must be available to work varying schedules including weekends, holidays and occasional shift extensions into the late evening hours in order to respond to after-hours emergencies, and approved stand-by shifts. The employee will be required to respond to emergency call-outs when available and comply with any requirements of approved stand-by pay.  

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

1. Additional or higher levels of certification in Waste Water Treatment (WWT), Water Treatment (WT), Water Distribution (WD), and/or Waste Water Collection (WWC)
2. Experience in the use of heavy equipment (e.g., vactor trucks and forklifts)  
3. Training or certification in hazardous communications, confined space, and Lock-out/Tag-out
4. Experience using the following software: Wonderware, Arcview, and Microsoft Office including Excel.

WORKING ENVIRONMENTThe employee must be able to do strenuous work in all kinds of weather (e.g., high temp., low temp., winds, snow, ice, fog, and direct sunlight) and on surfaces at, above, or below floor level.  Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors in a varied working environment, during day and at night or in the dark, and often in inclement weather and in extreme temperatures.  Inside work is usually in buildings, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated.   Noise from heavy equipment, hammers, saws, and other tools is frequent.  There is dust and sometimes dirt when repairing structures and operating tools.   The employee may be exposed to dust and other irritants and toxic/poisonous substances.  The employee is required to drive a vehicle and perform some work inside a vehicle, including operating radios, and a cell phone.   Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices, federal and state laws, and City/Department policies and operating procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers dexterously (e.g., operate hand and power tools, telephones, radios, and some general office equipment); to work both inside and outside in all types of weather; to sit, stand, walk, stoop, crouch, lift, bend, and reach with hands and arms; to climb ladders; and to work in confined spaces.   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to exert in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently. The employee is frequently required to operate heavy equipment and sit for extended periods of time.  The employee must be able to climb in and out of heavy equipment vehicles, work in small spaces, and must be able to perform strenuous work in inclement weather.  

Specific vision abilities required include close, distance and peripheral vision, the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships. The employee must be able to hear and to talk and to communicate verbally in-person as well as on a telephone and radio.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

The City of Kenai is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law. 

*Upon initial appointment to a position, the employee will receive the minimum compensation for the position except in cases when unusual difficulty in filling the vacancy is experienced or when the appointee is exceptionally qualified.  When an employee is exceptionally qualified, the City Manager may approve compensation at a level above the minimum but not more than the maximum range.  Exceptional qualifications are in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications and include, but are not limited to possessing two DEC Operator Certifications above existing requirements or more than seven years of experience in utilities. 

Salary : $35 - $47