Operations Technician III/IV - Mechanical Services

Join one of the Inland Empire’s Top Work Places bringing your exceptional talents to this mechanic position.

Western’s vision is to integrate the best-in-business processes and business systems while developing a leading-edge workforce that continuously creates greater efficiency and value for our customers.

Western’s values include:

• Service Excellence
• Efficiency 
• Water Supply Reliability
• Fiscal Responsibility and Value
• Public Trust, Accountability and Transparency
• Environmental Stewardship
• Employee Empowerment
• Innovation

The Position

Are you looking to take your career to the next level at an agency committed to the vision and values above? Are you a skilled mechanic with progressive experience supporting a team dedicated to the repair and maintenance of water and wastewater facilities? If you have skills focusing on the following areas, we invite you to submit your interest to be considered for this position:

• Strong knowledge of principles related to the assigned functional area of responsibility such as lubrication methods and practices for predictive/preventative maintenance.
• Operate a variety of hand and power tools and related equipment, in addition to properly caring for tools, materials, supplies and similar equipment.
• Strong ability to operate and maintain equipment, as well as use materials associated with the construction, maintenance, and repair of water or wastewater systems and facilities. 
• Extensive use of modern office equipment including computer software applications related to the field of work.
• Utilize exceptional customer service and communication skills both verbally and in writing, with the ability to cultivate professional business partnerships and inspire team collaboration.
• Read and interpret blueprints, construction designs and drawings and hydraulic/pneumatic schematics.
• Perform heavy manual labor.

The Ideal Candidate

Western’s Mechanical Services division is searching for a qualified mechanic to join the team. The ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge and capability to coordinate repairs and maintenance of Western Water equipment and facilities. The successful candidate will have prior hands-on experience with stationary rotating equipment such as pumps, gearboxes, and other water and wastewater equipment. Skilled mechanics with progressive experience and technical knowledge performing maintenance and repairs for water/wastewater facilities, along with the desire to support a team of professional mechanics, are encouraged to apply for this outstanding opportunity.

The selected candidate will be placed in the Operation Technician series level which is commensurate with current experience.

DISTINCTIVE ATTRIBUTES

Operations Technician III

The Operations Technician III is the full journey-level class in the Technician series. Under minimal guidance and direction, incumbents carry out duties and assignments requiring full technical knowledge and skill in the work of an assigned unit. Incumbents work under general supervision while exercising independent judgment within established functions and procedures.

Operations Technician IV

The Operations Technician IV is the advanced-level class in the Technician series. Under general direction, incumbents work independently to carry out duties and assignments requiring advanced technical knowledge and skill. Incumbents exercise independent judgment in the interpretation of procedures and regulations, participate in special projects, and provide training to entry or journey level employees. Incumbents may provide oversight of operational areas or subordinate staff as assigned. 

Incumbents within the Operations Technician series report to an Operations Manager. Operations Technicians may receive general direction from a Senior Operations Technician I/II. 

District employees are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings and holidays as required to accommodate Western Water’s needs, in addition to responding to a stand-by rotation and as a Disaster Services Emergency Worker.

Individuals within the Operations Technician series can expect to perform routine to complex duties related to the repair and maintenance of District water and wastewater facilities.

Mechanical Services Team: 

The Mechanical Services Team is responsible for ensuring the proper care and preservation of Western Water assets. The team conducts maintenance activities throughout Western Water’s service area. The performance of this team is essential to ensure the reliability of District assets for the purpose of providing consistent District services in a progressive environment. Incumbents will schedule, coordinate and perform the routine and/or emergency activities of the Mechanical Services team for a variety of Western Water facilities. Inspect, diagnose, troubleshoot, install, maintain and repair equipment impacting water and wastewater facilities and services to ensure optimal performance. Incumbents in the department can expect to utilize their skills in the areas noted below:

• Perform a wide variety of preventative and predictive maintenance. Knowledge and experience with specialized equipment utilized with lubrication and vibration analysis, for example.
• Experience in maintenance, repair, and overhaul tasks related to wastewater and water process equipment including pumps, power generators, natural gas engines, gear boxes, hydraulic systems, and pneumatic systems.
• Experience in machining, working as a millwright, welding and fabrication is essential for success in this position. 
• Crane certification and a class A/B Commercial Driver’s License is highly desirable.
• Incumbents may be required to obtain a crane certification within 12 months of hire.
• Ability to serve on the Mechanical Services call team and respond to after-hours emergencies, as required, once sufficiently trained. 

Working hours and schedules may change with operational need. 

Universal Functions to Operations Technician Series:

• Perform grounds maintenance, weed abatement and facilities cleaning duties, some of which requires heavy manual labor.
• Operate a pager, cell phone, and a mobile and/or base station two-way radio for dispatching and routine communications.
• Investigate public complaints and recommend corrective action.
• Maintain accurate and legible records for timesheets, workload planning, and related documents in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and District policies and procedures.
• Utilize and maintain detailed records for use within the Computerized Work Management System (CWMS).
• Participate in safety training programs and other related functions.
• Inspect, operate, calibrate, and maintain light/heavy equipment linked to department functions.
• Perform inspections and maintenance of District facilities, equipment, tools, and vehicles.
• Monitor and utilize the District’s SCADA system as required by department or call team roles.
• Assist other Operations teams/disciplines as needed.
• Coordination and purchase of department supplies or equipment.
• Operate GPS equipment in order to locate and survey District systems as determined by department functions.
• Perform lockout/tag out (LOTO) procedures to block electrical and other energy sources utilizing District safety policies and procedures.
• Perform duties in confined spaces utilizing District safety policies and procedures.
• Perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled maintenance, operational, and repair tasks involved in the District’s water or wastewater systems.
• Operate sign boards, flagging, placing and removing barricades, delineators, warning signs and traffic plates in work areas.

Contingent upon meeting certification and experience requirements, employees may be assigned to the appropriate department call team to provide continuous operational services in accordance with the California Municipal Water District Act of 1911. This requirement is at the sole discretion of the District and typically occurs on a rotating basis for a 1-2 week period following supervisor approval.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Operate a variety of hand and power tools and related equipment, in addition to properly caring for tools, materials, supplies and similar equipment.
• Use modern office equipment including computer software applications related to the field of work.
• Utilize exceptional customer service and communication skills both verbally and in writing, with the ability to cultivate professional business partnerships and inspire team collaboration.
• Operate equipment and materials used in the construction, maintenance, and repair of water or wastewater systems and facilities.
• Interpret and apply pertinent local, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Adherence to District personnel rules, policies and labor contract provisions.
• Think creatively and seek alternative solutions in order to produce results that benefit the District and its internal and external customers.
• Knowledge of principles related to the assigned function of the incumbent such as hydraulics, mathematics, water quality, construction, SCADA systems, pipeline construction, meter installation, and industrial electric.
• Working knowledge of water or wastewater systems, including mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation component of the systems.
• Adhere to organizational practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs.
• Use principles of effective safety practices including the use of equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintaining safe personal and common workspaces.
• Define and explain key processes and business requirements within the department.
• Assist with implementing department business plans, processes and performance measures, ensuring that they align with the District’s Strategic Plan.
• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks.
• Coordinate operations of the assigned area of responsibility with other District departments.
• Operate computerized telemetry terminals.
• Read and interpret blueprints, construction designs and drawings and hydraulic/pneumatic schematics.

Operations Technician III:

~Equivalent to High School Diploma.

~18 semester units or formal apprenticeship may substitute for six months of the experience and/or certification requirement at Ops Tech II or above.

~ 24 semester units or formal apprenticeship may substitute for one year of the experience and/or immediate certification requirement at Ops Tech II or above. 

Three (3) years performing full journey-level mechanical duties.

Distribution 2(a)/Mechanical 2(a)

Operations Technician IV:

Four (4) years performing advanced-level mechanical duties.

Distribution 3(a)/Mechanical 3(a)

(a) Desirable.

*  Certifications:

Distribution = California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator certification

Plant Maintenance = California Water Environment Association Plant Maintenance Technologist, or other equivalent trade certifications/experience

Mechanical = California Water Environment Association Mechanical Technologist, or other equivalent trade certifications/ experience

• Must maintain a valid California Driver License.