Field Technician In Training

POSITION PURPOSE: 
This position assists with industrial and sanitary sewer flow sampling and monitoring, cleans and maintains the sanitary sewer collection system under Racine Wastewater Utility jurisdiction, performs daily inspection and preventative maintenance, assists with repair of the mechanical and electrical equipment at the lift stations, assists with vehicle maintenance, and responds to collection system and lift station emergency service calls. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

• Helps to set automatic samplers, weirs, and flumes at industries to obtain representative samples.  Recognizes changes in flow streams and makes independent adjustments based on flow characteristics.
• Assists with accurately splitting and preserving samples in accordance with state codes and maintains accurate chain-of-custody forms and other necessary industrial sampling logs to document pretreatment sampling activities.
• Performs proper equipment preparation and cleaning between set-ups to prevent cross contamination, and performs quality checks to verify cleaning procedures.
• Assists with televising sewer pipes using closed circuit televising (CCTV) to identify line defects or obstructions.
• Inspects interceptor sewer lines, sewer out-falls, and culverts for obstructions and defects.
• Operates sewer jet flush unit and vacuum combination machine, power driven rodding machine, and related trucks and equipment.
• Assists with equipment setup and computerized data download of collection system flow. 
• Assists with dye testing of wastewater discharge piping and sewer laterals at industrial and commercial facilities to determine the point of discharge of wastewater flows.
• Performs emergency flushing of plugs in sewer lines, answers emergency calls during heavy rains when sewer or basement backup flooding occurs and prepares accurate reports of all emergency sewer call investigation findings.
• Assists with lift station preventative maintenance and emergency response
• Assists with various automotive repairs of Water and Wastewater vehicles (light and heavy duty), including hydraulic brakes, air brakes, tune ups and minor engine work (diesel and gasoline), mount and balance tires. 
• Adheres to all safety procedures as defined by the Utility work and safety rules. 
• Navigates a computer screen, and interprets SCADA system and GIS data.
• Files, photocopies, responds to phone or electronic internal or external inquiries.
• Rotates weekly emergency stand-by duty.

• High School graduation, or GED equivalent, and at least 18 years old. An associate’s degree related to water quality technology, environmental health, or certified mechanic is preferred.
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Basic General Wastewater Operator and Collection Systems Subgrade (SS) certification is required within 1 year of hire.
• A valid state-issued motor vehicle operating license, and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with tanker endorsement - Class B is required within 6 months of hire.
• Professional mechanical experience working with pumps, compressors, blowers, or engines in an area related to industrial plant or commercial automotive maintenance is preferred.
• Safety training certification in confined space entry is required within 6 months of hire.
• Proficiency with computer applications, including Microsoft Office, programming electronic instrumentation, as well as email/web research. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must be proficient in the use of the City of Racine sewer atlas (hard copy or electronic formats), and be familiar with the Racine wastewater collection system and safety sites. 
• Must become familiar with the Utility Capacity, Management, Operations and Maintenance Program (CMOM), and understand the ramifications of a by-pass in the collection system.
• Ability to follow a sampling schedule and become familiar with the chemical terminology used.
• Ability to plow snow and perform landscape duties.
• Must have good mechanical aptitude and skill in analyzing, diagnosing, correcting mechanical failures and defects.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Great time management skills, open to frequent changes in daily plans, and ability to re-prioritize tasks as these changes occur.    
• Ability to listen, ask questions, and follow directions.

• Desire to learn.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to assist with analyzing and categorizing data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards.  Ability to compare, count, differentiate, classify, compute, tabulate, measure and/or sort data, as well as assemble, copy and record and transcribe data and information
• Ability to help utilize, interpret, and apply a variety of advisory data and information such as blueprints, and use the Plat Book of sewer mains, charts, graphs, Safety Data Sheets, and technical operating manuals.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with varied and diverse contacts, such as Utility personnel, general public, and regulatory personnel.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.

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  Judgement and Situational Reasoning

• Ability to apply rational and ethical judgment, tact, courtesy, and diplomacy when dealing with public customers (sometimes distraught) and city representatives.
  Physical Requirements
• Must have good dexterity with ability to hand operate equipment and instruments, some requiring complex and rapid adjustments in coordination with eye movement.
• Must be physically able to climb into and out of manholes of varying depths and tight quarters, and follow confined space entry procedures.
• Ability to exert strenuous physical effort to lift and carry objects up to 50 lbs, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
• Ability to read meters, gauges, and computer screens.
• Must be able to remove and replace manhole covers.
• Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarity or difference between characteristics of color, sound and odors as associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks. 
• Must be able to not be sensitized by exposure to personal protective equipment (PPE) constituents (such as, but not limited to, latex, acrylic, polypropylene, filter cartridges).
• The position can be extremely demanding during high flow conditions, with ability to work longer than an eight hour day and work well under pressure.

WORK ENVRIONMENT AND CONDITIONS: 

• Ability to work outdoors under severe weather conditions; hot and cold; outside on streets, and in varying traffic conditions.
• Ability to work in less than desirable conditions (such as sewers, wet wells, and industrial settings) under potentially unsafe and uncomfortable conditions in confined spaces, where exposure to environmental factors such as heat, odors, dampness, chemicals, noise, pathogens, electrical currents, and/or dusts can cause a risk of injury.
• Exposure to cleaning compounds and chemical reagents used for sanitizing sample containers or preserving water samples.

EQUIPMENT USED:

• Buckets, strainers, flumes, sampling equipment, battery power packs and charging equipment, miscellaneous laboratory glassware and equipment, metering pumps, graduated cylinders, beakers, field and laboratory meters, push camera, CCTV camera, confined space entry safety equipment, computers, laptops, telephones/cell phones, calculator, wrenches, sockets, manhole cover removing device, gas detector, lifting equipment/crane, tools used in various cleaning operations, and dishwasher.
• Hand tools, power tools, welder, hoists, gas torch, power washer, steam cleaner, fire hoses, shovels, snow blowers, power vehicles, Bobcat, fork lift, step ladders, extension ladders, hydraulic lifts, and electronic diagnostic equipment. 
• Truck-mounted jet flushing/vacuum combination machine (Vactor).
• Power-driven sewer rodding machine.
• Software technology used may include Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Time Management Software (TMS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Software (SCADA), FlowLink, LINKO (PIMS), Element (LIMS), and Geographic Information System (GIS); Other software may be applied.

This job description is intended to identify essential duties and also illustrates other types of duties that may be assigned. It should not be interpreted as describing all of the duties that will be required of an employee or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments that an individual is required to perform. In addition to the responsibilities and duties listed; it is expected that employees maintain a consistent and reliable attendance record. Job descriptions are subject to revision at any time at the discretion of the Utility or City of Racine.

The City of Racine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $58,942 - $69,343