Operator in Training

Entry level position learning to operate and maintain the City of Wasilla’s water treatment and distribution systems and the wastewater collection and treatment systems. Ensure systems are kept in excellent working order by providing excellent customer service while delivering a safe product to the utility customer under close supervision from the upper-level technicians.

• Learn to operate water production and distributing facilities by controlling well production, storage reservoir volumes, booster stations, pressure reducing stations, and establish new connections.
• Learn to operate wastewater collection and treatment facilities by controlling lift stations, septage receiving facility, bar screens, grit separator, screen press, recirculation pumps, flow meter, aeration blowers, and establish new connections.
• Learn to maintain distribution of mains by exercising valves, servicing fire hydrants, detecting and repairing leaks, and trouble shoot electrical pumps and controls.
• Learn to maintain the sewer collection system by pumping septic tanks at regular intervals, exercise valves, detect and repair leaks, trouble shoot pumps and controls.
• Perform daily and weekend rounds and security checks on systems and facilities, record data on pumps, wells, reservoir activity, collect samples for measuring Cl2, pH, D.O. and adjust equipment as required.
• Ability to respond to utility call outs within 20 minutes from call, follow check list to troubleshoot problems, repair and bring system back into service.
• Perform fire hydrant maintenance by exercising valves, oiling, painting, and winterizing hydrant.
• Perform monthly meter readings, use computer to maintain customer data, upload and download information into hand-held meter reading units.
• Steam thaw mains and service connections, pump vaults, septic tanks, and service key box by operating a mobile steam boiler.
• Vactor mainline valve boxes and serve key box by operating a vacuum jetting truck.
• Locate service utility lines by reading and understanding as-built/record drawings, and use electronic equipment to find buried main lines and service lines.
• Perform other job-related duties and special projects, as assigned.

• Knowledge of standard methods in water/wastewater fields and the State and Federal regulations that is associated with it.
• Ability to communicate effectively and express ideas clearly and concisely both in oral and written communications. 
• Basic computer skills along with the skill to effectively read equipment and construction schematics. 
• Ability to operate basic vehicles, sewer pumptruck, and a forklift. 
• Homeland Security orientation tests (Incident Command Systems) will be required as a term of employment taken on-line Entry level IS-100 within fifteen days of date hire and IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 within 45 days of date of hire.

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent. 
• One year experience in water distribution or sewer collection preferred. 
• Experience operating with mechanical devices, pumps, motors, and hydraulic pressures.

• Must have or obtain State of Alaska Provisional level certification in water distribution, wastewater collections, water treatment, and wastewater treatment within 1-year of hire.  Convert all 4 provisional certifications to level 1 within three years from date of hire.
• Must possess a valid Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License with Tanker endorsement at time of application and be able to operate a motor vehicle.        
• Must provide a current driving record from the state in which driver’s license is held (dated within 30 days of request).
• Must obtain a valid State of Alaska Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License with Tanker endorsement with satisfactory driving record within 30 days of hire. 

Salary : $26 - $39