Water Production Operator

About the role

Operates, maintains, and trouble-shoots potable water production equipment. Comprehends and operates multiple complex City of Las Cruces water systems and water treatment plant.

Responsibilities

• Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots potable water production equipment; monitors pumps, motors, gas chlorinators, pressure reducing valves, pressure-sustaining valves, pump control valves, water tanks, and related plumbing components.
• Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots Griggs Walnut Water Treatment Plant (GWTP).
• Maintain and operate chlorine and polyphosphate chemical systems at the GWTP.
• Conducts and performs daily rounds of assigned wells, booster stations, and reservoirs; measures and records flow, pressure, and chlorine dosages; records gallons pumped and number of hours each well ran the previous day; monitors and performs troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of all chemical sites.
• Diagnoses operational problems and makes corrective adjustments or recommendations; assists in determining equipment and system failures and repair procedures.
• Repairs and maintains gas chlorinators; checks chlorine residue throughout the distribution system; changes chlorine cylinders and delivers cylinders to all water wells.
• Mixes, maintains, and operates polyphosphate chemical systems in water wells to prevent iron and manganese build up.
• Checks, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance on pressure reducing and pressure sustaining valves; manipulates valves to move water from one zone to another or to help low level tank as needed.
• Collections water samples for the City's laboratory; mixes chemicals, paints well plumbing components, and picks up or delivers parts; cleans pump houses, plumbing, and system equipment.
• Provides guided and educational tours at wells, tanks, and booster stations for Utility Board members, City Council members, City of Las Cruces staff and members of the public.
• Responds to customer complaints regarding water problems, serves as a rotating emergency stand-by, and provides training to workers regarding water production operations.
• Understands and operates SCADA system on computers/laptops in the field for controlling and monitoring all City of Las Cruces water systems and water treatment plant.
• Ensures that traffic, public and crew members are safe and are following safety regulations and procedures.

Requirements

• Associate Degree in Water Technology AND four (4) years of experience in water system operations.
• A valid Class B commercial driver's license with hazardous materials endorsement.
• New Mexico Level IV Water Certification.
• HAZWOPER certification within twelve (12) months of hire.
• NMDOT Supervisor Traffic Control certification within 18 months of hire.

Skills

• Knowledge of procedures and methods of operating, maintaining and trouble-shooting water wells, booster pumps and pressure sensitive/regulating valves.
• State, EPA and OSHA regulations.
• Current principles of record keeping and records management.
• Principles and practices of effective research methods and data analysis, customer service, and problem resolution techniques.
• Occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices.
• Safe and effective use and maintenance of related tools, materials, and equipment.
• Current methods and standards for preparing effective business correspondence.
• Correct English usage, grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Business and personal computers and related software applications.
• City organization, operations, policies, and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.

Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Water Technology OR related field.
• At least four (4) years of experience in water system operations.
• Valid Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with hazardous materials (HAZMAT) endorsement.
• New Mexico Level IV Water Certification.
• HAZWOPER certification within twelve (12) months of hire.
• NMDOT Supervisor Traffic Control certification within 18 months of hire.