Watershed Protection Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Assistant

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By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Job Description:

Watershed Protection Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Assistant

Purpose:

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.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• 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.
  
• Maintains balanced and consistent operation of plant equipment based on established process control techniques.
  
• 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.
  
• Performs preventative maintenance tasks such as lubrication, changing equipment oil/fluids, and installing packing, bearings, and seals.
  
• Performs predictive and corrective maintenance on specialized treatment facility equipment such as pumps, blowers, clarifiers, and valves.
  
• 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.
  
• 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.
  
• Maintains facility operations and maintenance records using log books, databases, and spreadsheets; assists with generating trend analysis and reports from historical data.
  
• Assists with on-the-job training of Water Treatment Plant Workers and Water Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Associates.
  
• Acts as a member of Confined Space Entry Team and may serve as entrant, attendant, or lead.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May lead or coordinate a shift or work group as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• 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.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

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.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

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.
  

Physical Requirements:

• 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.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of motor control centers for centrifugal water pumps.
  
• Experience maintaining and programming with 480 vac variable frequency drives.
  
• Experience installing and programming water level and dissolved oxygen sensors.
  
• Experience operating and programming SCADA systems.
  
• Experience with motor control circuits, overload current devices, and programmable logic control systems.
  

Notes to Candidate:

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:
Please learn more about our department and how we serve our community: What does the Watershed Protection Department do?

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Watershed Protection Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Assistant will assist with the maintenance of all electronic equipment associated with the Waller Creek storm water bypass tunnel facilities. This position will also operate and supervise a controlled and data acquisition system (SCADA) and troubleshoot programmable logic control systems.

SALARY RANGE:

Watershed Protection Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Assistant

Min: $27.77 - Mid: $33.95

PHYSICAL WORK LOCATION:

2001 E. 5th Street, 78702

DAYS AND HOURS:

40 hours per week - Monday - Thursday, 5:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

ESSENTIAL STATUS:

This position has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a city-designated extraordinary situation or emergency condition, essential employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees, as well as ensure the continuity of essential operations. Essential Employees may be called back in during such events, required to modify their schedule, assigned to a City-designated work site, or retained on-site to assist with operations and recovery.

BENEFITS:

Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities, and more. Please click here | Active Employee Benefits | AustinTexas.gov for more information.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires a valid Class C Texas Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the
City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Job Offer is contingent on having a driving record that meets the City’s Driver Record Evaluation Standards.

ASSESSMENTS:

May be subject to a written and/or Equipment Operation Skills Assessment(s).

EDUCATION:

Education verification will be conducted on the top candidate.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION (Please read carefully):
When completing the City of Austin Employment Application:
Include details on the application or prior or current work history with the City of Austin.

• A resume and cover letter is required. The resume does not substitute for a complete employment application.
  
• A detailed and complete employment application will help us better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position.
  
• Include details on the application of any previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications and relevant experience. Provide each job title and employment dates for all jobs on the application. Your work history should include duties you performed. “See Resume” is not acceptable and your application will be considered incomplete.
  
• Work history must include the month and year of employment and whether it was full or part-time work.
  
• Any relevant work history on the resume must also be reflected in the employment application in order to be considered.
  

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2025-12-06

• 

• City of Austin

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