Pump & Purification Technician

About the role

The Water Department Pump & Purification Technician maintains the Water Distribution system by performing installation, maintenance, and repair work on wells, well houses, pumps, pumping stations, booster stations, pressure reducing stations, storage tanks, and individual pumping/purification systems. This position requires both a Class I Drinking Water Treatment Operator and a Class II Drinking Water Distribution Operator certification. The work is performed under the supervision of the Water Operations Supervisor.

The role requires knowledge of water distribution methods, including remote and electronic monitoring, recording, communications, and alarm systems. The technician must maintain collaborative relationships with officials, employees, organizations, and the public. The work environment includes public buildings and outdoor settings with potential exposure to hazardous chemicals, confined spaces, elevated tanks, adverse weather, traffic hazards, and power tools. Noise levels are generally moderate but may occasionally be loud.

This is an on-call position requiring response to emergency situations. Immediate response personnel must live thirty (30) minutes or less from their usual work site.

Responsibilities

• Maintains the Water Distribution system, including wells, well houses, pumps, pumping stations, booster stations, pressure reducing stations, storage tanks, and individual pumping/purification systems to ensure safe drinking water in compliance with federal and state standards.
• Installs, operates, maintains, and repairs chlorination equipment.
• Installs, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs pumps, motors, electronic monitoring, recording, communications, and alarm systems.
• Installs, maintains, and repairs pump control, pressure relief, pressure reducing, altitude valves, and related systems.
• Installs, maintains, and repairs pipes, plumbing, and fittings in well houses and booster stations.
• Monitors, calibrates, and adjusts system flow and operations by checking and recording readings, operational data, and related records.
• Takes water samples for laboratory quality testing to ensure compliance with drinking water standards.
• Maintains telemetry systems, records, documents, and logs.
• Operates light and medium equipment, including air compressors, jackhammers, dump trucks, backhoes, loaders, excavators, boom trucks, and lifts.
• Maintains roads to wells, storage tanks, and booster stations, including snow removal as needed.
• Operates power equipment, hand tools, and specialized electrical testing equipment.
• Performs maintenance on buildings and grounds, including painting, cleaning, herbicide application, mowing, and landscaping.
• Disinfects and tests new equipment before putting it into service.
• Responds to customer complaints regarding water quality and/or pressure.
• Performs other duties as assigned, in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Flagging certification.
• CPR and First Aid certification.
• Class I Drinking Water Treatment Operator certification (required within 18 months of hire).
• Class II Drinking Water Distribution Operator certification (required within 18 months of hire).
• Class B CDL (required within six months of hire).
• Two years of equipment repair and maintenance experience is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Failure to acquire required certifications by the established deadlines will result in layoff from the position.

Qualifications

Knowledge

• Methods, techniques, and objectives of maintaining water distribution equipment and systems, including wells, pumps, booster stations, pressure reducing stations, storage tanks, and individual pumping/purification systems.
• Installation, maintenance, and upgrading of remote and electronic monitoring, recording, communications, and alarm systems.
• Troubleshooting and repairing water distribution systems.
• Operation of chlorination and related purification and treatment methods.
• Operation of specialized electrical testing equipment and control systems.
• Water quality and purity testing methods.
• Operation of light and medium equipment (e.g., air compressors, jackhammers, dump trucks, backhoes, loaders, excavators, boom trucks, lifts).
• Operation of power equipment, hand tools, and specialized electrical testing equipment.
• Maintenance of pump and lift station buildings and grounds.
• Basic welding techniques (arc and MIG).
• Basic building trades, including plumbing, carpentry, and painting.
• State, local, and federal building, safety, and health codes and regulations.
• City policies regarding safe work practices for confined spaces, elevated tanks, electrical equipment lockout/tagout, chemical handling, and use of equipment and tools.

Skills and Abilities

• Maintain and operate the Water Distribution system, including wells, pumps, booster stations, and related infrastructure.
• Install, operate, maintain, and repair chlorination equipment and electrical control systems.
• Install, maintain, and repair pumps, motors, pipes, plumbing, and fittings.
• Monitor, calibrate, and adjust system flow and operations.
• Operate light and medium equipment, power tools, and specialized electrical testing equipment.
• Perform water quality testing, including chlorination levels, to ensure compliance with standards.
• Maintain telemetry systems, records, documents, and logs.
• Perform building and grounds maintenance, including painting, cleaning, herbicide application, and landscaping.
• Disinfect and test new equipment before use.
• Respond to customer complaints regarding water quality and pressure.
• Read and interpret technical manuals, blueprints, maps, and diagrams.
• Maintain professionalism and effective communication in English.
• Complete assignments in a timely manner and comply with all rules, policies, and regulations.
• Perform duties in accordance with City policies and safety procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands for typing or tool manipulation, and reach with hands and arms.
• Operate motor vehicles and job-related equipment.
• Work on roofs and in confined spaces.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• Sufficient visual acuity, speaking ability, and hearing capacity to perform essential functions and interact with the public.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life insurance.
• PERSI Retirement and PERSI Choice 401(k).
• 457 Retirement Planning and HRA VEBA contributions.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care).
• Vacation and sick time.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Education assistance.
• Employee Wellness Program.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer.