Utility specialist

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities - Wastewater Utility is seeking a highly qualified Utility Plant Specialist with experience in the maintenance of industrial mechanical equipment.

Make sure to read the full description below, and please apply immediately if you are confident you meet all the requirements.

This is an essential personnel position, which requires the selected candidate to report to work for emergency and on-call duty in response to inclement weather / natural disaster, disruption in water distribution system and other urgent events.

This position requires working 8-hour shift with overtime when necessary, including weekends and holidays, regularly.

Responsibilities :

• Performing routine and specialized maintenance in one or more areas of specialization such as painting, carpentry, lock keying and replacement, tree trimming, traffic control systems, or welding;
• Performing routine and specialized maintenance in building / plant or grounds maintenance such as mowing, mulching, replacing ceiling tiles, repairing and installing faucets and bathroom fixtures, repairing and cleaning roofs and gutters, brick and concrete repair, fence repair, playground equipment repair, or small engine repair;
• Serving as lead worker over helpers and other lower level staff; generating reports on a routine and recurring basis; maintaining records and files;
• attending staff meetings;
• Performing safety inspection of vehicles, safety inspections of equipment and work tools, safety and maintenance inspections of area of responsibility;
• ensuring helpers and staff under their lead follow safety procedures; and attending safety meetings;
• Ordering supplies and parts from vendors; overseeing and inspecting the work of contractors; and may interact with citizens during the course of completing tasks;
• Performing assigned maintenance tasks and repairs;
• Troubleshooting and conducting preventive maintenance in areas of responsibility which includes but not limited to the wastewater plant and / or pumping stations;
• Responding to routine and emergency calls located in hazardous locations and working on gearboxes, conveyors and other relative wastewater treatment duties;
• Providing some Leadership / Training experience as needed.

Minimum Training and Experience :

• High School Diploma or GED;
• No experience required;
• Prefer two (2) years of experience in a related field;
• Advancement through the broadband depends in part on additional experience (Zone II, minimum of 12 additional months of experience;

Zone III, minimum of 18 additional months of experience; and Zone IV minimum of 36 additional months of experience).

Licensing, Certifications, and / or Other Special Requirements :

• Requires a valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record or must obtain a valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver’s License within 30 days of hire;
• Zone II requires all the above plus Forklift certification or the ability to obtain Forklift certification within 90 days of hire;
• Zone III requires all the above plus VA Contractor Board Journeyman license;
• Zone IV requires all the above plus VA Contractor Board Master license.

Preferred Training and Experience :

• At least two (2) years of pump repair experience;
• At least three (3) years of experience in Wastewater, Water or Industrial environment is a plus;
• HVAC and Boiler experience is a plus;
• A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is preferred; But not required;
• Mechanical experience is preferred.

Knowledge (some combination of the following) :

• Conduit bending and installation;
• Electric motor / wiring Megger testing;
• National Electrical Code;
• NFP 70E and Arc Flash Hazards;
• Principals of boiler maintenance and operations;
• Principles of HVAC;
• Centrifuges;
• Chemical metering;
• Electrical and mechanical equipment used at a utility plant (e.g. water purification, pumping, and wastewater equipment);
• CMMS automated system;
• Utility plant operations;
• Safety practices and principles.

Skills (some combination of the following) :

• Troubleshooting electrical circuits;
• Updating, repairing, and replacing plant lighting systems;
• Maintaining and repairing electrical systems ranging from 120 volts to 4160 high voltage;
• Disassembling pumps;
• Carpentry and plumbing;
• Reading and understanding drawings, blueprints, and maps;
• Using and operating various equipment safely and correctly;
• Using chemicals properly;
• Working with vendors.

Abilities (some combination of the following) :

• Operate equipment such as bucket trucks and forklifts;
• Operate back-flow testing equipment;
• Operate plumbing equipment such as sewer snakes and drain cleaners;
• Operate power washers, chain saws, lawn mowers, weed eaters, and pruners;
• Operate cranes and other equipment for hoisting and pulling equipment;
• Operate equipment for laser alignment of pumps and motors;
• Operate and use basic hand and power tools;
• Operate drill press;
• Operate torches;
• Operate refrigerant equipment such as gauges, recovery machines, leak detectors, and scales;
• Operate electrical and electro-mechanical equipment;
• Problem solve and troubleshoot.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

• Environmental Hazards : Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond;
• exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation;

inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

Physical Requirements and Working Environment : Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint.

The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly talk, hear, see, and perform repetitive motions;

frequently climb, balance, kneel, crouch, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift; and occasionally stoop, crawl, finger, grasp, and feel.

The working conditions may include environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be heavy work, exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

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Last updated : 2024-09-27