Water Operator Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

Under general supervision is responsible for safe operation and maintenance of the Pueblo of Sandia Utility infrastructure.  Operator 2 will perform duties in accordance with Pueblo and Department policies and procedures.  Operator 2 shall perform assigned duties and follow directives from supervision in both water and wastewater operations.

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, provides opportunities for qualified team members, and contributes towards the ongoing success of the Pueblo of Sandia today and in the future.  

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Collects tests and preserves water and wastewater samples for chemical and biological properties.
2. Calibrates laboratory equipment, flow meters and chemical feed equipment as required by operating standards.
3. Maintains operating records and inspection reports.
4. Evaluates laboratory results and notifies supervisor of required changes in process and procedures.
5. Cleans and maintains all laboratory equipment.
6. Performs troubleshooting and repair as required to maintain equipment and facilities, runs test for process control.
7. Repair the Pueblo of Sandia water and wastewater lines.
8. Flush sanitary sewer lines; remove debris from sewers to prevent back-ups.
9. Operate and maintain various water/wastewater collections equipment and vehicles; inspect equipment and vehicles for damage; inspect oil level, tires and brakes.
10. Cut asphalt or cement for excavations using jack hammer; install plugs as required for maintenance and repairs of water and sewer lines.
11. Perform line spots for all excavation, especially for 811 requests within specified time frame .Perform smoke/dye test as needed to determine breaks in sewer lines; prepare equipment used in smoke tests.
12. Perform pesticide work in manholes including applying pesticides and chemicals to destroy roots and roaches in sewer lines; drive and operate roach truck.
13. Read and interpret Village collection system maps.
14. Use radio procedures to communicate with field and base to coordinate and complete tasks .
15. Respond quickly and accurately to service calls during duty and non-duty hours, while serving in the on call capacity ensure that required response procedures are met.
16. Operate and maintain all aspects of a truck or trailer mounted jet Roding/vacuum unit and video inspection units with the proficiency needed to complete collection line maintenance.
17. Complete point line repairs that may require the ability to dig by hand, operate heavy equipment and use other specialized tools.
18. Maintain accurate and complete records in conjunction with a computerized preventive and corrective maintenance program.
19. Performs other duties as assigned by the Water/Wastewater Division Supervisor III and or Operations Manager IV.
20. 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 job-related duties and responsibilities as requested.

 Key Performance Indicators

This position has Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) identified as a measurement of success.  KPI’s will be shared with 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 and know of sample collections and preservation, chemical and biological testing, calibration laboratory equipment and troubleshooting.
2. Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
3. Operations, services and activities of a water and wastewater treatment plant.
4. Methods and techniques of preventive maintenance as related to water and wastewater treatment plant facilities.
5. Mathematical principles and calculations.
6. Ability to perform maintenance on equipment.
7. Ability to read, write and understand written and oral instructions.
8. Ability to work with the equipment, tools and the materials specified in this classification.
9. Ability to evaluate the laboratory results and make recommendations to process changes when required.
10. Ability to make visual and audio inspections of field equipment and facilities.
11. Must be familiar with all safety procedures required in conducting the duties above described.
12. Must be able to review and comprehend necessary updates to computer equipment and/or lab requirements.
13. Continue to maintain CEU’s- Continuing Education Credits annually, or as certifications specify. Opportunities to educate, train and test to higher levels is strongly encouraged.

   Education and Experience 

Required:

1. High School Diploma, GED certification or equivalent.
2. Two (2) years working in water or waste water operations

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 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. Must possess prior to the employee’s start date:
   • Wastewater Systems II and Water Supply II Certificates
5. Must successfully complete and maintain the following courses/training:
   • CPR: within 60 days, renewal every 2 years.
   • First Aide: within 60 days, renewal every 2 years.
   • Confined Space: within one year, renewal every 2 years.

                       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.

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 temperature and inclement weather.  Work apparel including standard work uniform issued by employer, may require employees to wear other apparel at own expense, in order 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.
5. Work hours are subject to change and call out as required; with overtime required and authorized by supervisor.   Must be able to work long hours if required.
6. Specific physical body movements require the following:
   • Trunk -  bend, twists, rotate, push, pull, carry
   • Arms -  reach, carries, push, pull, twists, rotate
   • Legs -  lift, push, pull, twists, rotate, balance
   • Hands -  grasp, bilateral coordination, overall and finger dexterity
   • Eye and hand coordination.