Utility Operator Jobs in New Mexico (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

Under minimal supervision, responsible for the safe operations and maintenance of the Pueblo of Sandia Wastewater System.  The position will provide direction and supervision of Operator In Training, Utility Operator 1 and Utility Operator 2 positions in the safe operations and maintenance of the Water/Wastewater infrastructure. The Lead Operator will assume responsibility for O&M in the absence of the Utility Operations Supervisor.

Our philosophy is built on the principles of integrity, fairness, collaboration, communication, and recognition for performance excellence. Meeting all performance standards leads to attracting and retaining a qualified workforce, provide opportunities for qualified team members, and contribute towards the ongoing success at Pueblo of Sandia today and in the future.  

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Oversees and evaluates work assigned to Utility Operators.
2. Conducts operations and maintenance labor activities of the water/wastewater treatment plant and potable water system.
3. Oversees the performance of the OIT, Utility Operator levels 1 & 2 in the operations and maintenance labor activities of the water/wastewater treatment plant and potable water system.
4. Assists Supervisor in maintaining an inventory of water treatment and potable water chemicals required.
5. Assists Supervisor in orientation of new Utility Team Members.
6. Assists Supervisor in scheduling daily Team Member activity.
7. Assists Supervisor in preparing Team Member disciplinary action reports and recommendations.
8. Assists Supervisor in preparing Team Member performance evaluations.
9. Prepares and maintains water/wastewater treatment files, records, reports, and related documents.
10. Enforces Water and Wastewater Operations standard operating procedures.
11. Assists Supervisor in preparing utility operators shift schedules.
12.  Able to demonstrate and determine “permit and non-Permit” required confined space entry where a fitted respirator is required.
13. Tests chlorine content of potable water system and maintains chlorine residuals at required disinfectant limits.  Maintains results on a daily report and continuous log.
14. Performs basic operator tests on pH, temperature, DO, and settling tests. 
15. Cleans and maintains chlorine contact chambers, MBR.
16. Addresses federal and state agencies regarding technical potable and wastewater inquiries.
17. Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility for all team members and are expected to report to work based upon the assigned schedule each day in accordance with the Attendance Policy for Pueblo of Sandia. 

 Additional Responsibilities

1. Performs additional duties and responsibilities as necessary or assigned.
2. Must have flexible availability and able to work long hours if required.
3. Strong interpersonal skills with all direct work associates as well as networking with all Team Members is essential throughout Pueblo of Sandia whether they hold public facing and/or back-of-the-house positions. 

All Team Members must:

1. Be polite, friendly and professional always. 
2. Demonstrate an approachable demeanor when working with all co-workers and Team Members throughout the company. 
3. Reflect a kind, empathetic, patient, and respectful behavior with all internal and external business dealings.
4. Support co-workers as needed to meet business demands. 
5. Build professional work relationships with all Team Members while supporting a strong teamwork environment. 

Maintain a friendly, professional and approachable demeanor in the performance of all duties

Key Performance Indicators

This position has Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) identified as a measurement of success. KPI’s will be shared to all team members who work in this job title and feedback will be provided regarding the successful completion of the KPI’s as part of the performance review process.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Ability to supervise and direct the work of others.
2. Ability to use operational and maintenance tools used in the performance of work in a water/wastewater treatment plant, a potable water system, and sewer line routing.
3. Ability to prepare and maintain water/wastewater treatment and potable water reports and records.
4. Ability to maintain associated equipment operating and maintenance supply inventory.
5. Knowledge of general safety rules, requirements, procedures, and reporting requirements; particularly those safety regulations when working near wastewater equipment and sources.
6. Ability to communicate effectively and maintain good public and employee relations.
7. Physical condition that allows employees to work wearing a fitted respirator.
8. Ability to work in small, cramped locations.
9. Ability to calibrate test equipment.
10. Ability to read, record, and analyze test equipment data.
11. Knowledge of federal and state testing requirements for potable water and wastewater chemicals.
12. Knowledge of the use and potential hazards of potable water and wastewater chemicals.
13. Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
14. Ability to administer first aid.

Education and Experience  

Required:

1. High School Diploma, GED certification or equivalent.
2. Two (2) years previous experience working in water treatment and Four (4) years previous experience working in wastewater treatment.

Preferred:

1. Prior supervisory experience in water or wastewater treatment.
2. Current Confined Space Training Cert.

Note:  Relevant work experience or education may be substituted to satisfy education and/or work experience

License/Certifications/Registrations

1. Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted New Mexico Driver’s License.
2. Must be able to successfully pass a stringent background investigation.
3. Will require a pre-employment and random drug screening.
4. The following license and/or certifications is/are required prior to employment start date:
   • Wastewater System III & Water System II Certification
   • Current CPR Certificate.
   • First Aide Certificate.
5. The following license and/or certifications are preferred: Water and Wastewater Level IV, Class A  or B CDL, Heavy Equipment Operation, and Backflow Certification.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The following selected physical activities are required to perform the essential functions of this position

Physical Requirement

Description

Balancing

Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling and walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

Climbing

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.

Crawling

Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.

Crouching

Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

Feeling

Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

Finger Dexterity

Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.

Grasping

Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

Hearing

Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.

Kneeling

Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

Lifting

Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

Pulling

Using upper extremities to exert force to draw, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.

Pushing

Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward.

Reaching

Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

Seeing

The ability to perceive the nature of objects by the eye.

Walking

Job requirements include, in the performance of duties, walking throughout the work area, on various work surfaces throughout internal or external locations.

Sitting

Particularly for sustained periods of time.

Standing

Particularly for sustained periods of time.

Stooping

Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.

Talking

Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

List Working Conditions Required:

1. Duties are performed primarily outdoors with minimum indoor activity as required.  Work duties may require employees to work in extreme temperatures and inclement weather.  Work apparel, including standard work uniform issued by employer, may require employees to wear other apparel at their own expense, to compensate for outside temperature conditions.
2. Subject to potential hazards in water/wastewater treatment facility, such as broken glass, needles, human feces, and various other water treatment effluents.
3. Additional potential hazards include exposure to infections, diseases, bloodborne and airborne pathogens, (methane, chlorine, and carbon monoxide fumes), odors, dust, mist, gases, and moderate noise levels.
4. Duties involve walking, climbing, crawling, standing for periods of time, sitting, crouching, kneeling, and the ability to assume prone position.   Some tasks will be performed on uneven, hard, and inclined slopes.