Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Associate - Wastewater Treatment Plants

About This Position

ABOUT AUSTIN WATER:
For more than 100 years, Austin Water has provided safe, reliable, high-quality and affordable water services to our customers. Today, we serve more than 1 million people across 544 square miles in the Austin metropolitan area. Austin Water consistently ranks among the best in the country when it comes to water quality. We also treat, return, and recycle wastewater in ways that protect environmental resources. Austin Water exceeds federal and state requirements for clean water and environmental compliance at our water and wastewater treatment plants.

Job Description:

Purpose

Under close supervision, this position performs routine 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, and work in teams to assist with more complex tasks. Performs in both operations and maintenance disciplines to develop 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.

• Assists with process control tasks such as basic flow control, sampling, basic laboratory testing, normal operations of pumps and blowers, and adjusting chemical feeds. Assists with preventative maintenance tasks such as lubrication; changing equipment oil/fluids; and installing packing, bearings, and seals.
• Assists with predictive and corrective maintenance on specialized equipment such as pumps, blowers, clarifiers, and valves.
• Assists with routine rounds of the facilities to monitor treatment process and identify process anomalies or mechanical problems with plant equipment.
• Monitors data from SCADA systems and computerized control systems, instrument panels, and gauges in order to make basic process changes as directed.
• Maintains plant operations and maintenance records using log books, databases, and spreadsheets.
• Acts as member of Confined Space Entry Team and may serve as entrant or assistant.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

None.

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 general maintenance processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, decimalized numbers, fractions, and percents.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in using hand tools and power tools.
• Skill in operating a motor vehicle and motorized equipment.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to read and follow technical guidelines and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to take simple 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 one (1) year of experience in a similar work environment such as stormwater pumpstations, process control, plant operations, construction, or in the operation, repair and maintenance of mechanical or industrial equipment.
• Thirty (30) semester hours of relevant formal education from an accredited institute may substitute for one (1) year of work experience.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Must obtain appropriate TCEQ License as specified by position within one (1) year of employment:
• Wastewater Treatment Plant: TCEQ Class D Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License.
• Must obtain the appropriate TCEQ Class C Wastewater License before Class D License expires.May require a Valid Texas Commercial Driver's License with endorsements.
• Valid current Texas Class C Driver License.
• Must be able to become certified for Respiratory Protection and Confined-Space Entry Program within six (6) months of employment and maintain certification.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in environments that may have hazardous atmospheres.
• Ability to work in permit and non-permit confined spaces where there is limited or restricted means for entry and exit, or where the work activities may be hindered.
  Ability to safely wear anti-fall (SRL) body harness for confined space entry that supports up to 283 pounds.
• Ability to climb ladders and work at heights of up to 200 feet, and to work in confined spaces up to 100 feet deep.
• Ability to walk, stand, sit, bend, stoop, twist, push, pull, climb, kneel, crawl, and lift/carry up to fifty (50) pounds unassisted.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience operating and performing preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repair and rebuilding of industrial equipment and machinery.
• Experience working in an industrial setting; which could include treatment plant, oil, gas or refinery, mining, automotive and heavy machinery repair.
• Experience performing facility operation and maintenance tasks related to process control and process optimization.
• Training or experience in plumbing or pipefitting.
• Training or experience in welding and metal fabrication.
• Experience using computerized work order system, basic computer navigation skills and ability to learn new software applications.

Notes to Candidate:

Benefits:

Working with Austin Water provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more – click HERE for more information. Additionally, this position offers a career progression plan, which provides a unique opportunity to promote without having to go through the competitive process. As employees go through on-the-job training to develop new skills and abilities and obtain the appropriate license, they are eligible to submit for Career Progression, which allows them to demonstrate knowledge and skills without having to interview for the promotion.

For general information about a career as a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant System Operator, click HERE.

Walnut Creek and South Austin Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) receive wastewater flow from Austin Water Utility’s sanitary sewer collection system and treat it before returning it to the Colorado River. South Austin Regional WWTP is also a key facility in meeting Austin’s reclaimed water needs for non-potable water. Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant receives biosolids that are generated from the wastewater treatment process and further processes these solids to create compost for land application and public sales. Austin Water’s Remote Facilities Division operates and maintains package plants that treat wastewater in residential, rural, and agricultural areas in and around the Austin area.  

Position Overview:

The Austin Water Treatment Operations & Maintenance Technician Associate is responsible for performing wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance tasks, which include but are not limited to:

• Operations: operating process control systems that monitor and control treatment plant processes, managing chemical dosage in water basins, testing water samples, and recording and reporting water samples results.
• Maintenance: performing mechanical work on plant equipment and machines, such as preventative and scheduled maintenance, diagnostic and corrective maintenance, new equipment installation and equipment rebuilds.

Pay Range: $24.19 – $27.94 per hour

Retention Incentive Bonus:

This position may be eligible for an Incentive Bonus of up to $3,000!

$500 after 90 days.

$500 after 180 days.

$1,000 after 1 year.

$1,000 after 2 years.

Position(s) may be filled at one of the following locations:

South Austin Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant
1017 Fallwell Lane, Del Valle, Texas 78617

Remote Facilities Primary Hub
10621 Blue Bluff Rd, Manor, Texas 78653
Assigned to various locations

Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant
2210 S FM 973, Austin, Texas 78725

Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
7113 FM 696, Austin, Texas 78724

THIS IS A NIGHT SHIFT POSITION:

Days and Hours (Operations): Sunday to Saturday - 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Rotating weekly schedule, alternating between three (3) and four (4) workdays per week.

• Divisions have varying shifts, including days and nights. Shift hours are subject to change based on business needs.
• Work location and shift assignments for candidates selected will be determined based on business need and is subject to change at management’s discretion
• This position is considered essential and may be required to work weekends, holidays, overtime, callback, and on-call.

Essential Employee:

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

Technical Licensure:

This Associate position requires employees to obtain a Class D Wastewater Operator License from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) within one (1) year of employment. TCEQ may restrict granting an occupational license to individuals with certain criminal convictions. To review TCEQ’s criminal conviction guidelines, go online to TCEQ.

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a valid current Texas Class “C” Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin Driver Safety Standards 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.

Physical Requirements:

• This position will require that you be able to perform the following essential job functions with confidence and with or without reasonable accommodations: carrying or lifting up to 50 lbs., pushing or pulling up to 50 lbs., sitting, standing, walking, lying, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching overhead, kneeling, crawling, stooping/bending, twisting, repetitive foot and hand movement, driving, grasping and squeezing, ability to wear personal protective equipment including a self-contained breathing apparatus, exposure to extreme weather conditions, atmospheric conditions, hazardous conditions, and very loud noise.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete and pass a pre-employment physical exam to be considered for this position, which includes a Functional (FC)strength/agility test.

Confined-Space Entry Requirements:

Candidates must be able to work in environments which may have hazardous atmospheres, or in confined spaces where there is limited or restricted means for entry and exit, or where the activities of an employee are hindered.

Candidates must be able to qualify for the Utility’s Respiratory Protection Program.

Candidates must be clean shaven to meet the Utility’s Respiratory Protection Program guidelines which requires the use of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).

Climbing Requirements:

Candidates must be able to perform duties with confidence at sites where climbing ladders and working at heights of up to 200 feet and descending into confined spaces up to 100 feet deep with the use of a required SRL body harness that supports weight as designated by work area.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position.
• Provide each job title and accurate employment dates (mm/dd/yyyy) for all jobs included on the application.
• Your work history should include the duties you performed, any supervisory or lead responsibilities, and any equipment and computer software used.
• Although you have the option to attach your resume, a resume is not required.
• Statements such as “see resume” will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Please include contact information from previous employers.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
• And are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.

Secondary Employment:

All Austin Water employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee’s duty and responsibility to the Department.

Austin Water must review all secondary employment.

Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with Austin Water, as well as current Austin Water employees considering secondary employment.

All Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite – including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

Electronic Notification to Applicants:

• Applicants will be notified via e-mail to communicate information related to the status of their application as part of an ongoing effort to increase operational efficiency, promote a green environment and minimize delays and costs.
• Ensure that the email address and contact information you provide are current, secure, and readily accessible to you. The City of Austin/Austin Water will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive email communications, fail to check your inbox, or fail to respond in a timely manner.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO APPLICANTS:

• Postings close at 12:00 a.m. on the listed End Date. All application steps – including document uploads and final submission – must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to the End Date.
• 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.

Please note this posting may close any time after 7 days.

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JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

• Value and Innovation: Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

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.

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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.