Electrician II/III - Water/Wastewater Plants

The Electrician II/III is a skilled position in the inspection, troubleshooting, maintenance and repair of water/wastewater treatment process equipment, pumping and lift station equipment, and automated process controls. Starting as an Electrician II requires a Journeyman Electrical license issued by the State of Colorado, or reciprocal state, and starting as an Electrician III requires a Master Electrical license issued by the State of Colorado, or reciprocal state. Work involves technical field maintenance projects, and the installation, inspection, repair, and testing of electrical and hydraulic equipment used in the processing and treatment of the City’s water and wastewater systems. Incumbent is responsible for coordinating a variety of tasks in maintaining a reliable treatments system program. Assignments and instructions received from the Plant Maintenance Supervisor and performed in accordance with established policies, procedures and technical guidelines with work reviewed through conferences, reports, and results obtained. 

It is a mandatory requirement of this position to work overtime, take weekend duty, and be on-call for treatment facility and utility system emergencies. Must be able to reach the City limits, within 60 minutes after being contacted, when on-call. This is a safety-sensitive position. The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster offers a bonus of up to $1,500 per year depending on the employee’s fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Laotian, and/or American Sign Language (ASL).

The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: Westminster’s purpose is to provide core services and foster economic resilience to give our community the opportunity to thrive. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service – Pride – Integrity – Responsibility – Innovation – Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Public Works and Utilities Department, which maintains and enhances the safety and well-being of the community by providing exceptional water and wastewater service, and maintaining the City’s extensive network of street infrastructure. The department continuously strives to meet the needs of the community by constantly focusing on customer service, efficient and effective utilization of resources, safety, innovation, and teamwork.

Every employee is accountable to:

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
• Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
• Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
• Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
• Support and promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate
• Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

 
GENERAL COMPETENCIES
Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development
• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
• Achieve goals, and handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
• Demonstrate accountability for work, and take ownership in job performance
• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product

Job Specific – Every employee in this position must be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of practices, methods, and tools used in pipe fitting, electricity, electronics, and millwright
• Demonstrate the knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary to conduct safe work around mechanical and electrical equipment, and in enclosed spaces subject to the accumulation of methane gas and hydrogen sulfide
• Demonstrate knowledge of computer programs including Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel, SCADA, solid-state circuitry, computer interface with equipment alarms, equipment monitoring systems, and dedicated data radios
• Demonstrate knowledge of control loop and telemeter systems
• Demonstrate knowledge and troubleshooting of variable frequency drives and RFSS
• Troubleshoot and facilitate corrective action on pumps, motors, process equipment, controls, and instrumentation
• Communicate clearly, plan, organize, and effectively lead a group of skilled workers in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale in rapidly changing situations under normal, stressful, and/or emergency situations
• Establish and maintain effective written and verbal communication skills, and build positive relationships and rapport with other team members within the work group, the division, the department, and across City employees
• Demonstrate the principles and practices of water and wastewater pumping operations
• Demonstrate the principles involved in the operation of water and sewer pumps, and electrical meters and controls
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively, recognizing established precedents and practices, and use resourcefulness in meeting new problems
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions, read and interpret sketches and blueprints, and perform routine mathematical calculations
• Independently assess workload, and determine appropriate course of action; establish and maintain control over situations as they develop, and make pro-active, informed decisions concerning routine operational functions
• Demonstrate skill in use and care of tools and equipment common to the trade
• Perform CPR and basic first aid

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks
1.   Perform inspections, troubleshoots, maintains, and repairs water/wastewater treatment process equipment, pumping station equipment, storage tanks and lift stations, and automated process controls, including:

• Performing pump, lift station, and storage tank inspections
• Maintaining and repairing of process controls, motors, pumps, valves, and related equipment
• Installing, aligning, grouting, and adjusting new and rebuilt equipment

2.   Inspect, troubleshoot, test, and repair three-phase motor control centers, including:

• Pneumatic
• Hydraulic
• Electronic process control instrumentation
• Removing and overhauling pumps, motors, compressors, and process equipment
• Building mechanical systems
• Requisitioning parts and materials for needed repairs

3.   Assists Plant Maintenance Supervisor with monitoring outside contracts to secure and maintain compliance with Federal and State regulations, City Codes, specifications, contract documents, and regulations, including:

• Assisting the Plant Maintenance Supervisor in the preparation of bid documents for assigned projects
• Monitoring outside contractors inspecting and making repairs to treatment facilities, sanitary sewer lift stations, and water pumping stations
• Working independently on field inspection and making decisions exercising technical judgment, taking remedial action when needed
• Monitoring, reviewing, and approving invoices submitted by contractors
• Consulting with supervision on unusual or difficult cases
• Interpreting and explaining ordinances, codes, regulations, and policies to contractors, homeowners, and other interested parties
• Investigating and answering requests, suggestions, and complaints from superiors and citizens
• Coordinating activities with other departments and divisions to ensure that compliance with all applicable City standards and specifications are met

4.  Responsible to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing while providing appropriate customer service and interaction, including:

• Participating in City programs, task forces, peer groups, and professional organizations
• Providing customer service and explanation of activities
• Maintaining appropriate courtesy while with the public
• Mediating disputes
• Presenting a professional appearance and demeanor
• Preparing and submitting effective written reports, memos, activity logs, etc., to all levels of the organization
• Demonstrating effective oral communication skills with the public and other members of the department
• Demonstrating effective communication via the radio and other portable devices
• Keeping supervision updated of activities planned and completed

5.   Performs work safely, including:

• Operating City vehicle 
• Operating light equipment and machinery used in utilities operations
• Maintaining safe driving record

6.   Maintains regular and punctual attendance
Other Duties and Responsibilities
1.   May act as a lead worker over a small group of employees or supervise in the temporary absence of the Plant Maintenance Supervisor
Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretionEducation, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications
Required:

• Graduation from high school or completion of GED
• Possession of State of Colorado (or reciprocal state) issued Journeyman or Master Electrical license
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in the maintenance and repair of hydraulic pumps, motors, and process controls related to water/wastewater treatment
• Must possess a valid driver license, provide proof of a safe driving record, and maintain a safe driving record for continued employment

Preferred:

• Possession of State of Colorado (or reciprocal state) issued Master Electrical license
• Certified for working in the field for the following: confined space entry and gas detection
• Vocational trade school or military school course work in electricity, mechanics, pipefitting, and instrumentation, or related field
• CPR and first aid knowledge
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.

Physical Requirements
The position is physical in nature and requires sufficient physical strength and stamina to:

• Sit to perform daily office tasks and drive to work sites, and stand on all types of terrain; frequently walk over uneven terrain to perform field work
• Frequently squat, bend, and kneel to perform maintenance on water systems; balance, reach overhead, below shoulder, and twist to perform daily maintenance duties
• Occasionally climb water towers or tanks up to 200 feet in height in all weather conditions
• Occasionally crawl in confined spaces to perform inspections and maintenance
• Frequent light/firm grasp and handling to operate office equipment and safely use heavy repair tools; fine manipulation to perform repairs and daily tasks
• Constant stepping up and/or down to enter and exit vehicles, climb stairs and ladders
• Safely operate vehicles, including those with a standard transmission
• Normal vision and hearing are needed to perform inspections, office tasks, and observe work area for potential hazards
• Ability to lift and carry up to 100 pounds twenty (20) feet to move supplies and bags of concrete to work sites; occasionally lift 120 pounds to remove manhole covers from ground level; occasionally push and/or pull up to 100 pounds of material and tools; occasionally push and/or pull greater than 100 pounds to pull crates

 
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is routinely performed indoors and outdoors with occasional exposure to extreme temperatures. Work is performed year-round with exposure to high voltage in moist areas. Exposure to confined spaces, chemicals, fumes, methane gas with limited ventilation, and human and medical waste products exist. On-call and overtime duties are required for emergencies.

Required Materials and Equipment
Operate light to heavy equipment and machinery used in utilities operations, such as cherry pickers, overhead cranes, boom trucks, and forklifts, as well as other similar equipment. May also operate electrical test equipment, diesel-powered electrical generators, basic hand and shop tools, saws, welders, ladders up to 35 feet in height, and two-way radios. Personal computers and keyboards, telephones, adding machines, and other basic office equipment are also used.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS 

• Background check including employment references, criminal history, and driving record review
• Technical knowledge/skills assessment including, but not limited to: verbal and/or written testing of electrical knowledge, 
• Hands-on practical exam on a desk-bench
• Drug screen
• Physical
• Must be legally entitled to work in the United States