Maintenance Specialist

Description

The City of La Crosse is accepting applications for a full-time Maintenance Specialist to become an essential member of the Water Department. It is the responsibility of the Water Department to install, operate, repair, and maintain the wells, reservoirs, water main, service connections, fire hydrants and the main pumping station within the city. The individual in this position will work with a dedicated team of employees who work together to provide sufficient quality water for the City of La Crosse.

The purpose of this position is to produce a variety of custom work, tool creation, and repairs; operate and maintain various shop equipment, and perform other duties as assigned. Incumbent will perform maintenance and repair welding on water equipment including hard surface welding on buckets, wear bars, skids, etc. Position will design and fabricate a variety of projects and specialty equipment for water department use. Starting wage for this non-exempt position ranges between $29.50 to $33.78 per hour (80 hours bi-weekly), depending on candidate qualifications. Working hours for this position are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.

Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent required. Welding certification or able to obtain within 90-days of hire. Attended a welding program on, but not limited to, shield metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding, oxyacetylene cutting and welding, brazing, and soldering or any combination of education and experience to be considered equivalent. A valid Class B commercial driver’s license with airbrake endorsement required or ability to successfully obtain commercial driver’s license within 30 days in the position. Experience in heavy truck and off-road equipment repair required, or any combination of education and experience to be considered equivalent. Experience with automotive and small engine maintenance and repair. Experience with mechanical, electrical and computer controlled hydraulic systems.

Benefits: The City of La Crosse offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical benefit plans, Wisconsin Retirement Plan, deferred compensation, Roth IRA, life insurance, accident insurance, income continuation insurance, voluntary dental and vision plans, paid holidays, vacations, and sick leave. Benefit perks: traditional or high deductible (with HSA) medical plan options available; participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System with 7.20% employer contribution; 10 paid holidays, ability to earn up to 12 sick days per year, and vacation time available as of date of hire.

Selected candidate is subject to background check, post-offer/pre-employment drug screen, physical and job screen. Applications received until January 4, 2026. To be considered, submit an employment application by visiting the City of La Crosse website and clicking on City Services, then clicking Career Opportunities or by visiting https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacrossewi.

Purpose of Position

The purpose of this position is to produce a variety of custom work, tool creation, and repairs; operate and maintain various shop equipment, and perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. The duties and responsibilities are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and/or assigned.

• Design and fabricate a variety of projects, specialty equipment or attachments for water department use.
• Perform maintenance and repair welding on water equipment including hard surface welding on buckets, wear bars, skids, etc.
• Maintain gas cylinder inventory.
• Keep track of fabrication shop supplies necessary for welding, cutting and machining.
• Performs body work, including gas and electrical welding, painting, and metal fabrication in completion of repair assignments.
• Performs various fabrication shop tasks and miscellaneous maintenance and custodial duties in and around the fabrication shop and buildings as required.
• Maintains records and makes reports as required.
• Use precision measuring tools and equipment.
• Operate and maintain metal working equipment including, but not limited to, drill press, metal lathe, metal mill, metal band saw, plasma cutter, gas torches, and MIG welders.
• Subject to call for winter snow and ice removal, and other emergency and non-emergency situations.
• May need to respond to emergencies during non-working hours.
• Regular and predictable attendance.
  
  

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the department, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other department staff.

• Attends meetings and continuing education seminars and training courses as needed.
• Maintains the small engine equipment and performs preventative maintenance on other equipment.
• Adheres to and promotes a culture of safety in the workplace.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of responsibilities and skill requirements of the job.
  
  

Minimum Training & Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Welding certification or be able to obtain within 90-days of hire.
• Attended a welding program on, but not limited to, shield metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, hgas metal arc welding, oxyacetylene cutting and welding, brazing, and soldering or any combination of education and experience to be considered equivalent.
• A valid Class B commercial driver’s license with airbrake endorsement required or ability so successfully obtain commercial driver’s license within 30 days on the job in the position.
• Experience in heavy truck and off-road equipment repair required, or any combination of education and experience to be considered equivalent.
• Experience with automotive and small engine maintenance and repair.
• Experience with mechanical, electrical and computer controlled hydraulic systems.
  
  

Physical & Mental Requirements

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication

• Ability to assemble, copy, record and transcribe data and information, following a prescribed plan. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and/or sort data and information.
• Ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others well-established policies, procedures and standards. Ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple requests from others.
• Ability to utilize a wide variety of descriptive data and information such as plans, blueprints, maps, GIS, records, correspondence, work schedules, equipment repair & operating manuals, timecards and safety standards.
• Ability to communicate effectively with water utility personnel, Traffic Engineer, contractors, various city departments and the general public. Interpersonal and customer service skills; ability to represent the City of La Crosse and the La Crosse Water Utility positively and to interact with customers in a tactful and professional manner.
  
  

Mathematical Ability

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
  
  

Judgement and Situational Reasoning Ability

• Ability to use functional reasoning and apply rational judgement in performing diversified work activities.
• Ability to exercise the judgement, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable criteria.
  
  

Physical Ability

• Ability to operate equipment and machinery requiring monitoring multiple conditions and making multiple complex, and rapid adjustments, such as backhoe, dump trucks, pumps, mechanics hand tools, shovels, rakes, saws, pipe tapping equipment, welders, torches, air hammer, etc.
• Ability to operate, maneuver and/or steer equipment and machinery requiring simple but continuous adjustments such as a motor vehicle, loaders, tire tools, mechanics tools, truck crane and jacks.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing movements requiring skill and training, such as assembling, cutting, and typing.
• Ability to exert moderate but not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
• Ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of color, shapes, odors, textures and sounds associated with job-related objects, materials, and tasks. Ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.
  
  

Environmental Adaptability

• Ability to work factors such as temperature variations, odors, toxic agents, noise, vibrations, wetness, machinery, electrical currents, traffic hazards and/or dust may cause or causing discomfort and where there is a risk of injury.
  
  

The City of La Crosse 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.

To follow is a brief summary of the benefits the City of La Crosse offers to its employees. Benefits and benefit eligibility will vary by position. Detailed benefits information can be found on the City's website under Department>Human Resources>Employee Benefits.

• Medical Benefit Plan – Offered to all full-time, non-represented or unionized employees. Coverage for eligible medical expenses and prescriptions. Note: Employees hired full-time on or after 1/1/14 are not eligible for retiree medical benefit plan coverage.
• Pension (Wisconsin Retirement System-WRS) – Automatic enrollment for full-time positions. Eligibility for part-time positions varies by position and is determined by the number of hours and duration of the position. For eligible positions, contributions begin date of hire. Employer contributions are paid by the employer. Employees are required to pay 50% of the total WRS contribution rate for "general" employees. 2026 rate is 7.2% of pre-tax earnings.
• Life Insurance – (follows WRS eligibility) Up to five times the employee's annual salary is available. Spouse/dependent coverage options also available.
• Income Continuation Insurance – (follows WRS enrollment) A short or long term disability insurance. Various options available for waiting periods.
• Section #125 Plan - Offered to non-represented or unionized employees working 20 hours/week or more. This is a flexible spending account to defer money from your paycheck pre-tax in a dependent care or medical account.
• Vision Plan - Offered to non-represented or unionized employees working 20 hours/week or more. This is a voluntary plan, completely funded by the employee.
• Dental Plan - Offered to non-represented or unionized employees working 20 hours/week or more. This is a voluntary plan, completely funded by the employee. Employees can choose between two different dental plans.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan - Offered to non-represented or unionized employees working 20 hours/week or more. May enroll at any time. Employees may elect for pre-tax and Roth payroll deductions to be placed in a retirement investment account.
• Roth IRA - Offered to non-represented or unionized employees working 20 hours/week or more. May enroll at any time. Employees may elect for payroll deductions to be placed in a Roth IRA.
• Paid Leave Time - Vacation, sick leave, personal business leave, family care leave, and holidays. Actual leave accrual determined by employee handbook or union contracts.
• Accident Insurance – pays a cash benefit when you or your covered family members suffer injuries sustained in an accident. The enrollment period for new hires is within the first 30 days of hire. The effective date is when the completed, timely form is received by the employer.