Tracking Code UIC Municipal Services, LLC
Job Code 20-1638
Posting Title Utility Systems Specialist Operator - Rotational
Post Date 9/21/2021
Full Time / Part-Time Full Time
Travel Up to 100%
City North Slope
State AK
Description Job Summary:
Work with a team of local operators to maintain operational and regulatory compliance status of local municipal water and sewer utility systems. Water-Wastewater Operator aka Utilities System Specialist (USS) Operator will rotate in and out of each of the seven villages on North Slope, where populations range from 250 to 1000 residents. Work schedule will be 10 hours daily at a minimum, with longer days to meet repair and call out needs. Summer water pumping will be 12 hour days for approximately 3 calendar months. Rotation schedule will be 3 weeks on (23 days), 3 weeks off (19 days). $65 a day per diem is provided. The USS will be staying in provided local housing (no camp) Travel from/to Anchorage, AK or Fairbanks, AK to the villages are paid by employer - all other travel expenses are responsibility of the employee.
The USS will report directly to the Field Operations Lead, or to the Project Manager when the Field Operations Lead is unavailable.
Equipment preventative maintenance and repairs will be required. This will include directing or accomplishing the excavation and repair of buried pipes in arctic conditions, and repair of individual residential and commercial service connections. The USS will be expected to maintain, clean and organized the Water and Wastewater plants.
Maintain daily reporting to the central office in Utqiaġvik. Report emergency incidents when they occur. Communicate system issues to engineers. Keep daily water and wastewater logs on the Lotus Notes software. Prepare and send wastewater samples on a timely basis for monthly discharge monitoring reports.
These are municipal sites and systems; they are not industrial. The USS must be able to interface with the public, maintain a professional demeanor, and work with municipal employees to maintain utility service. On-the-job training of local operators maybe required.
GENERAL SYSTEM DESCRIPTIONS:
Water Treatment:
Raw water intake
Bag/Micro/Nano filtration with chemical disinfection, backwash, and cleaning systems
Short water production season to store annual water supply
Water Distribution:
Water storage tanks with 3 to 10 million gallons in storage
Central water circulation plant with fire pumps, water monitoring systems, and chemical dosing
Direct-buried water circulation loops
Residential and commercial service connections
Wastewater Collection:
Direct-buried gravity or vacuum collection systems
Sewage holding tanks
Wastewater Treatment:
Extended aeration/activated sludge waste treatment and sludge dewatering
Ocean, surface water, and sub-surface effluent discharge
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Ensures Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation compliance of utility plants
Maintains a safe working environment and reports safety concerns to supervisor
May train, mentor, or directs and oversees local resident utility operators as needed or as requested
Daily reporting to central office by phone or email
Performs a variety of duties essential to the operation of a small water and wastewater treatment facility
Performs a variety of duties essential to the operations of water distribution and wastewater collection systems
Inspects; operates; monitors; and maintains a variety of facilities; equipment; and systems involved in various processes of a water and wastewater treatment plants
Monitors plant operation through visual observation and SCADA
Regulates flows
Performs chemical analysis and tests
Performs a variety of related duties to ensure the facility’s final finished water and effluent is of the best quality and compliant to regulatory requirements
Perform seasonal raw water pumping and treatment to meet anticipated water reserves
Maintains logs of plant operations – periodic checks on fire hydrants, fire pumps, generators, valves, etc…
Perform annual inspections of residential service barrel services
Daily completion of work order reporting – detailing incidents, repairs and call outs conducted by all the W&S staff on all aspects of W&S infrastructure.
Supports the maintenance (preventive and corrective) of the utility plants and systems
Implement emergency protocols to protect the W&S systems, water reserves and general public safety during W&S emergencies or system failures.
Coordination between W&S Operators and other local resources to identify, locate, isolate and repair leaks in W&S systems within the expertise of the W&S Operators onsite.
Notify public of boil water notice or shut down of W&S services
Provide temporary water and sewer to individuals that experience interrupted services
Maintain and inventory parts and materials in the utility plants
Work with vendors on soliciting quotes for parts and supplies
Submit purchase requisitions and receiving reports on orders
Submit service requests to local municipality for non-water/sewer repairs to facilities and equipment
Coordinate water and sewer repairs with local village supervisor
Will act as the waster/sewer plant manager oversee all water sewer related activities
Assume the lead operators role in the absence of a local operator or as needed
Operation of heavy equipment, if pre-approved
Monitor assigned village cell phone
Subject to twenty-four (24) hour call outs and works varied shifts as assigned
Essential Knowledge; Skills and Expertise:
Arctic experience in Water/Sewer Operations or Construction preferred
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the Alaskan Native community
Communicates clearly and concisely; both orally and in written
Must be able to comprehend fully the complexity of the work requirements and work environment
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers and regulatory agencies
Micro-Nano filtration treatment experience – preferred
Extended aeration wastewater treatment experience – preferred
Requirements Required Qualifications:
Must demonstrate a thorough comprehension of Water treatment/distribution and Wastewater treatment/collection and regulatory requirements
Must possess a Level II or be able to obtain a level II within 12 calendar months after hire in Water and Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificates issued by the State of Alaska
Ability to pass a respirator fit test
Valid driver's license
High school diploma or equivalent
Preferred Qualifications:
Level III Water Treatment*
Level III Wastewater Treatment*
Level II Water Distribution*
Level I Wastewater Collection *
(*) Water and Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificates issued by the State of Alaska. If out of state applicants, there is potential for reciprocity between states for these certifications.
Physical Demands:
Walking; Standing; Crawling; Kneeling; Stooping
Good near vision
Respirator, ½ face and full face
Wear safety goggles
Lifting/Carrying frequently required up to 20lbs with occasionally lifting/carrying up to 50lbs
Pushing/Pulling frequently required up to 10lbs with occasionally pushing/pulling up to 50lbs
Safe operation of power tools
Work Environment:
Employee may be subject to environmental conditions such as cold; heat; exposed to noise; hazards; and/or close quarters. Applicant must be aware of work environment at all times
While performing the duties of this job; the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; and outside weather conditions including extreme Arctic winter conditions
The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts; dust; fumes or airborne particles; smoke; or gases
The noise level in the work environment may be loud at times
The employee is frequently exposed to commercial solvents and chemicals
Must be able to walk on slippery and uneven surfaces
Must be able to walk up and down stairs frequently
Employee will be subject to confined areas, i.e.; sewer manholes, water vaults, wastewater pits, and/or protected trenches
Working alone
Remote work sites (no dispensary or hospital)
Long and/or irregular hours
Day shift and/or night shift rotations
Lodging is via self-sufficient work camp accommodations with individual rooms, shared kitchen/refrigerator/freezer and multiple bathrooms/showers
Per diem of $65 per day is provided for meals
Work travel time begins/end from Anchorage, AK or Fairbanks, AK, maximum of 8 hours a travel day
Travel will allowed three (3) fifty (50) pound bags
This position is rotational and will work in the North Slope Villages. Seven days a week, three weeks on and three weeks off
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The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)