City of Tillamook
Job Title: Wastewater Technician FLSA: Non-exempt
Department: Public Works Department Salary Grade: TBD
Reports to: Division Supervisor Benefits: Eligible
Location: Public Works Garage, 4402 3rd Street, Tillamook, OR 97141
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The City of Tillamook takes great pride in working hard to fulfill its Mission Statement which is to, “Continue working for a safe, livable, and economically viable community that promotes managed growth while maintaining small-town values”. This position supports the Mission of the City by providing services in the Public Works Department. The Public Works Department is responsible for all the City’s physical infrastructure. Accordingly, the Wastewater Division Technicians are responsible for all the work performed on the wastewater collection system and the wastewater treatment plant. Technicians operate, maintain, and repair various public works equipment, facilities, and infrastructure.
The City believes that a strong and well-organized Public Works Department delivers a high level of services to its residents and visitors, which is a critical component of a high quality of life. The responsibility of a Division Technician is to help to ensure this occurs within their divisions. This position maintains a high level of visibility internally and externally and requires excellent interpersonal, organizational, and verbal/written communication skills.
This job description encompasses all technicians from level 1 to level 5 for all duties are the same. The only difference is the level of training, experience, education, and time in the position, which then provides additional pay as well as opportunities to assist in leading other employees as outlined Job Qualifications Section and the Supervisory Responsibilities Sections below.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Wastewater Treatment
- Operates and maintains wastewater treatment, sludge processing, and handling equipment.
- Tends pumps, conveyors, blowers, chlorinators, vacuum filters, and other equipment used to treat wastewater.
- Collects samples and makes routine chemical analyses of wastewater at various points in the plant process.
- Cleans intake wells and drying beds, using chemicals and detergents.
- Skims grease, pumps sludge, and transfers sludge from sludge tanks to drying beds.
- Monitors control panels and adjusts valves and gates manually or by remote control to regulate the flow of wastewater through settling, aeration, and sludge digestion processes.
- Reads and interprets charts, flow meters, and other gauges to determine operating efficiency of equipment.
- Lubricates pumps, valves, and other equipment; repairs parts where necessary.
- Prepares the chemicals required for the testing of wastewater.
- Maintains the surrounding grounds.
- Maintains logs, records, and reports relative to the work. Requisitions supplies and materials.
- Wastewater Collection
- Operates the wastewater systems.
- Performs routine to complex tasks associated with utilities equipment. This includes lubrication; cleaning; adjustment of pumps, valves, and fluid levels; and recording and logging test results, gauge readings and observed conditions.
- Monitors the flow of wastewater through the collections, treatment and reuse systems.
- Operates, maintains and troubleshoots the solids handling process, dewatering equipment and chemical feed systems.
- Inspects and ensures proper operation of equipment; reads meters, gauges, and instruments; reports and records any failures or operating difficulties.
- Monitors and maintains chemical inventories.
- Prepares Discharge Monitoring Reports; ensures discharge is compliant with regulatory requirements and consistent with operational needs.
- Reads and interprets record drawings.
- Initiates work orders.
- Locates and marks underground water, wastewater, and storm drainage infrastructure.
- Assists with customer service requests and provides excellent customer service; responds to questions and complaints from the public.
- Monitors system conditions and makes process control adjustments using computer and SCADA systems.
- Checks job sites for potential hazards; ensures appropriate traffic control; understands and adheres to all applicable safety rules, regulations, practices, or procedures.
- Climb ladders and work in aerial lifts, confined space etc.
- Use and operate flagging equipment to control traffic in vicinity of public works crews. Perform and assist in other jobs, duties, or tasks assigned or needed by the division, department, or City as a whole.
- This position provides on-the-ground support. After proper training, may operate various public works equipment, e.g., dump truck, loader, backhoe, vactor truck, street sweeper, forklift, mower, jack hammer, chain saw, propane torch, lance torch, etc.
- Perform operator maintenance on equipment, such as conducting pre- and post-operation checks, maintaining proper fluid levels, changing parts, cleaning, etc.
- Adhere to and perform established maintenance schedules on equipment and vehicles.
- Maintain work areas, vehicles, tools, equipment, and City issued gear and PPE (personal protective equipment) in a clean, safe, and orderly manner. Follow all safety rules and procedures, including proper PPE procedures, for work areas. Corrects and/or reports unsafe conditions to appropriate personnel.
- Maintain records of materials and equipment used, operations, work accomplished, and related records and reports.
- Ensure new construction, maintenance and repairs meet standards for compliance with City, State and Federal rules and regulations.
- Utilize technical knowledge to solve maintenance, repair, or construction problems. Provide technical expertise concerning area of assignment as needed, including reviewing, and commenting on plan reviews. Inspect new construction installation.
- Respond to utility service emergencies and similar problems as directed or scheduled. Determine location of shut-off valves, take emergency action to minimize damage to property, and restore service as soon as practical.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, coworkers, other agencies, and the public.
- Respond to citizen inquiries/complaints with respect and professionalism.
- Analyze existing condition of elements of infrastructure to determine most appropriate methods of resolving complex maintenance projects of repairs.
- The nature of the work often requires the availability to respond during off-duty hours, in the evenings, or on weekends.
- On-call or stand-by duty will be required as assigned.
- City of Tillamook employees are also expected to act as “first responders” in emergency situations (i.e.: earthquake, flood, tsunami, etc.) to keep the city functioning.
- All City employees are expected to report during disaster and emergency situations. An emergency response plan is in place, and training is provided.
- Ensure safe traffic operations and public safety.
- Ensure that all City’s infrastructure continuously receives the attention it needs for sustainability.
- Make recommendations on staffing, equipment, and other budget needs to the Division Supervisor.
- Work closely with the Public Works Director and all other City departments to ensure that all services from the Public Works Department are in alignment with the mission and vision of the city.
- Performs all work in the field.
- Performs other job responsibilities as assigned by the Division Supervisor.
AUXILIARY JOB FUNCTIONS: Assist in emergencies or when directed in other divisions of the Public Works Department. Maintain proficiency licensing. May deliver service change notifications to customers and perform water shut offs/turn ons as directed by Division Supervisor. Maintain proficiency by attending training and meetings, reading materials, and meeting with others in areas of responsibility.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
- Ability to organize, file, and maintain accurate records.
- Ability to perform paraprofessional, technical, and analytical work involving the use of independent judgment, professional versatility, and personal initiative.
- Ability to work cooperatively with elected officials, and outside agencies; represent the City in a professional manner to clients and the general public; and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to analyze situations carefully and adopt effective courses of action; maintain confidential data and information.
- Ability to analyze, evaluate, and modify operating methods and procedures.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate with tact and diplomacy.
- Customer Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services. This includes setting and meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Technology: Knowledge of office electronic equipment, computer hardware and software, websites, and intranet sites.
- Judgment and Decision-Making Skills: Uses logic and reasoning to analyze, understand, and evaluate complex situations. Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of alternative approaches or solutions to a situation. Exercises appropriate judgment in establishing priorities. Considers the relative costs and benefits of potential actions.
- Interpersonal Relationships Skills: Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees, citizens, community, and private organizations, elected officials, boards and commissions. Handles all interactions with poise, tact, and diplomacy.
- Critical Thinking Skills: Uses logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate complex situations and researches information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to the situation. Applies general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. Combines pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Management of Personnel: Manages own time and the time of others. Monitoring/Assessing performance of processes, programs, and other areas in the organization to make recommendations for improvement and streamlining.
- Coordination of Work Skills: Ability to establish and implement effective administrative and management of projects. Ability to plan and organize daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines, and events.
- Communication Skills: Excellent ability to communicate, orally and in writing, ideas, and proposals effectively to diverse audiences to include preparing and presenting a wide variety of related materials. Excellent ability to synthesize and clearly articulate complex information and ideas presented verbally and in writing. Ability to handle a variety of issues with tact and diplomacy and in a confidential manner.
JOB EXPECTATIONS:
- Work typically 40 hours per week on weekdays (Monday through Thursday) between the hours of 6:30 AM and 5 PM; however, some work is required outside of the usual working hours for meetings for occasional meetings held in the evenings.
- Responds always to the public, co-workers, and other City employees in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner.
- Maintains proficiency by keeping up to date on current technology and practices in the field through reading professional literature, attending conferences and training sessions, and meeting with others in areas of responsibility.
- Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly manner.
- Maintains complete confidentiality in all areas that require a high level of confidentiality.
- Maintains high ethics and professional behavior in the workforce and with all co-workers, employees, and all others.
- Follows all safety rules and procedures, including proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) procedures, for all property, equipment, vehicles, and work areas as applicable.
JOB QUALIFICATION (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE) REQUIRMENTS:
General knowledge of the proper operation and maintenance of vehicles, tools and equipment, practices, methods, hazards, and safety precautions used in the maintenance and repair of City wastewater collection system and treatment plant infrastructure, equipment, and buildings. General equipment servicing proficiency. Equivalent to high school education, and some experience in building/grounds maintenance, mechanics, plumbing, construction, or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the above duties, including computer skills and knowledge for Utility Clerk backup, and mobile communication device proficiency.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/LICENSES:
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon Driver’s License and safe driving record. State licensing or combination that meets the needs of the division. Leadership Training. CDL (commercial driver license) class that meets the needs of the division. The City may consider the ability to attain, at the employee’s expense, some of the minimum qualifications within six months of hire. Timelines and financing for acquisition of licensing/education are subject to management’s discretion.
SPECIAL MINIMUM THRESHOLD* REQUIREMENTS/LICENSES:
Tech 1 1 year in position or combination of experience and education *see Experience & Post HS Education (Flagger, Fall Protection, Forklift, Confined Space, CDL class that meets the needs of division).
Tech 2 3 years in position or combination of experience and education *see Experience & Post HS Education (State Level 1 licensing that meets the needs of the division, Locator Cert, Competent Person, CDL class that meets the needs of division).
Tech 3 8 years in position or combination of experience and education *see Experience & Post HS Education (State Level 2 licensing that meets the needs of the division, CDL class that meets the needs of division).
Tech 4 10 years in position or combination of experience and education *see Experience & Post HS Education ( State Level 3 licensing or combination that meets the needs of the division, CDL class that meets the needs of division, State licensing or combination that meets the needs of the division, Leadership Training CDL class that meets the needs of division).
* Experience & Post HS Education
Level 1: 12 months experience and no education or no experience and 12-month certificate or associate degree in approved program.
Level 2: 36 months experience and no education or 24 months and 12 months of education.
Level 3: 96 months of experience and no education, 60 months of experience and 12 months of education, 48 months of experience and 24 months education or 36 months of experience and 36 months of education.
Level 4: 120 months of experience and no education, 84 months experience and 12 months education, 72 months experience and 24 months education, 60 months experience and 36 months education or 48 months experience and 48 months education.
*The City may consider the ability to attain, at employee’s expense, some of the minimum qualifications within six months of hire. Timelines and financing for acquisition of licensing/education are subject to management’s discretion.
Salary Ranges
Job title: Public Works Tech II salary Range (plus benefits): $51,668 – $61,695
Job title: Public Works Tech III salary Range (plus benefits): $54,252 – $64,779
Job title: Public Works Tech IV & V salary Range (plus benefits): $59,813 – $71,419
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS:
Previous experience in wastewater collection and/or treatment. Previous supervisory and project management experience. Oregon Pesticide Applicators License.
REQUIRED WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
The majority of duties take place outside of buildings with exposure to all types of weather conditions and on a year-round basis, biohazards, traffic, dirt, oil, grease, fumes, noise and chemicals. Entry to confined spaces is required on an infrequent basis. Position is subject to emergency on-call response after normal duty hours on a rotational basis. On-call or stand-by duty will be required on a rotating schedule, as well as in the event of storms or other natural disasters.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand and sit for long periods of time, bend, kneel, stoop, climb, type, listen, communicate reading/writing/speaking the English language, reach and manipulate objects, tools, or controls. The position requires mobility. Many duties are physically demanding, requiring entry to confined spaces and occasionally moving materials weighing up to 125 pounds, and the ability to climb a ladder. Activity and types of duties performed require manual dexterity and coordination. Meter reading requires walking long distances for up to 8-hours at a time. Manual dexterity and coordination are required while operating equipment such as computer keyboard or calculator and other standard office equipment in an office setting and surveying or related equipment in the field. This position requires visual and audio acuity.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervision is not a typical function assigned to Technicians 1-3; however, a Public Works Technician may provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel on department policies and practices.
Technician 4: May provide lead supervision of technicians 1 through 3, but seldom to over three FTE (full time equivalent), if directed by the Division Supervisor. Supervisory duties will be assigned on a per-project basis. Provides training and orientation to newly assigned personnel on department policies and practices. However, full supervisory responsibility is not a typical function assigned to this position. May provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel on department policies and practices as assigned by the Division Supervisor
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the direct supervision of the Division Supervisor.