The Facility Technician operates, maintains, and monitors the wastewater treatment systems, remote facilities, lift stations, and solids processing equipment to comply with state and federal permits. The Facility Technician also performs repairs, electrical/mechanical duties, and associated administrative tasks in the operations and maintenance of wastewater systems and remote facilities.
Essential Functions
Level I:
Observes safety regulations; wears required personal protective equipment; follows and enforces recommended safety practices such as lock out/tag out procedures, confined spaces, traffic control and others as established by OSHA and MOSHA
Adjusts chemical feed rates and flow rates, as directed
Learns and frequently performs sampling duties in compliance with certification/regulatory requirements including simple chemical analyses of sampling to determine operational parameters, as well as maintains a log of sampling results
Learns and assists in operation and maintenance of the plant’s and remote facilities’ sanitary requirements by skimming clarifiers or treatment modules, scrubbing weirs and cleaning rotary and bar screens, flushing wet wells as well as handling chemicals
Assists in maintaining equipment by packing and re-packing rotating equipment, removing pump blockages, replacing air filters, lubricating equipment and maintaining the preventive maintenance schedule for the facility
Learns and assists in operating and maintaining instrumentation and electrical components, including but not limited to re-lamping, maintaining probes and repair of analyzers and meters where present, assists in monitoring telemetry gauges and alarms to ensure proper pressure and water levels and records data at regular intervals
Assists in troubleshooting and repairing all mechanical problems as described above, as well as the continuance of preventive maintenance practices for all areas
Learns and assists in the acquisition of materials through purchasing, including the submittal of purchase requests and the maintenance of a local inventory of supplies by facility
Provides general housekeeping for all facilities, including grounds keeping, general painting, and sweeping, hosing down and the cleaning of tools and equipment
Assists in operating remote facilities
Assists in climbing tanks for inspection, de-chlorination, and maintenance
Learns and uses the Computerized Maintenance Management System ( CMMS ) for the monitoring of preventive maintenance schedules and the retrieval of work orders and learns and uses computerized process control systems, must also become familiar with applicable work processing and spreadsheet applications
Drives a vehicle to conduct WSSC Water business.
Level II:
Observes safety regulations, wears required personal protective equipment, follows and enforces recommended safety practices such as lockout/tag out procedures, confined spaces, traffic control, and others as established by OSHA and MOSHA
Operates and maintains the plant’s and remote facilities’ sanitary requirements by skimming clarifies or treatment modules, scrubbing weirs and cleaning rotary and bar screens, flushing wet wells as well as emptying chemical containment pits where present
Maintains equipment by packing and recapping rotating equipment, removing pump blockages, replacing air filters, lubricating equipment, and maintaining the preventive maintenance schedule for the facility
Assists in operating and maintaining instrumentation and electrical components, including but not limited to, re-lamming, maintaining probes, and repairing analyzers and meters where present
Installs, inspects, troubleshoots, tests, and repairs all mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment; continues preventive maintenance practices for all areas
Calibrates instrumentation and control devices
Assists in evaluating and troubleshooting Programmable Logic Controllers ( PLC ) failures
Repairs and replaces fans and belts in all heating, ventilation and air-conditioning ( HVAC ) systems
Identifies and requests the acquisition of materials through purchasing, including the submittal of purchase requests and the maintenance of a local inventory of supplies
Uses the Computerized Maintenance Management System ( CMMS ) to monitor preventive maintenance schedules and generate and close out work orders
Assists in and performs the operation of computerized process control systems and data management systems
Performs sampling duties according to certification/regulatory requirements
Performs the following operational/maintenance tasks according to certification requirements related to:
All plant process equipment and/or remote facilities:
Collects all process data needed to produce essential reports. Maintains treatment modules in an aesthetically pleasing manner
Performs preventive/corrective maintenance on all plant mechanical equipment and/or remote facilities
Recognizes proper and improper plant operating conditions and determines corrective measures to return the process to optimal condition
Disassembles and cleans pumps and other rotating equipment; disassembles and cleans valves; adjusts chains and belt drives; and generates work orders
Assists in maintaining pneumatic and hydraulic systems
Performs minor carpentry, plumbing, and metal fabrication
Maintains system control valves such as PRVs, altitude valves, remote control valves, and backflow preventers; work involves operating valves in the water distribution system as needed
Monitors gauges and alarms to ensure proper pressure and levels; records data at regular intervals; takes readings according to certification/regulatory requirements
Initiates emergency procedures by notifying appropriate employees in the event of a system malfunction
Operates valves and pumps through SCADA and/or process control automated system
Climbs tanks for inspection, de-chlorination, and maintenance as required at specific locations
Provides general housekeeping for all facilities, including grounds keeping, painting equipment and facilities in which they are housed, as well as cleaning tools and equipment
Establishes and maintains a positive customer service demeanor and effective working relationships with internal and external customers
May be required at times to be solely responsible for facility operations
Drives a vehicle to conduct WSSC Water business.
Level III :
Observes, implements, and reviews safety regulations; wears required personal protective equipment; follows and enforces safety practices such as lockout/tag out procedures, confined spaces, traffic control, and others as established by OSHA and MOSHA ; performs/facilitates safety training as required
Takes the lead in facility operations, as required
Operates, maintains, and oversees the plant’s and remote facilities’ sanitary requirements by skimming clarifiers or treatment modules, scrubbing weirs and cleaning rotary and bar screens, flushing wet wells as well as emptying chemical containment pits where present
Maintains equipment by packing and re-packing rotating equipment, removing pump blockages, replacing air filters, lubricating equipment, and overseeing the preventive maintenance schedule for the facility
Oversees, operates, and maintains instrumentation and electrical components, including but not limited to, re-lamping, cleaning probes, and repairing analyzers and meters where present; reads and interprets ladder/wiring diagrams
Troubleshoots, replaces, repairs, and reassembles rotating and stationary equipment
Adjusts chemical feed rates and calibrates instrumentation and control devices
Evaluates and troubleshoots Programmable Logic Controllers ( PLC ) failures, as well as rebooting and reloading PLC programs and troubleshooting control loops
Performs operation, testing, and repair of computerized process control systems and data management systems
Identifies and requests the acquisition of materials through purchasing, including the submittal of purchase requests and the maintenance of a local inventory of supplies by facility
Uses the Computerized Maintenance Management System ( CMMS ) to monitor the preventative maintenance schedules, plan/schedule jobs, generate/closeout work orders, and utilize data to make business decisions
Facilitates collection of data by readings according to certification, regulatory, or plant need requirements
Performs sampling duties according to certification/regulatory requirements
Oversees and performs operations/maintenance tasks according to certification requirements
Disassembles and cleans pumps and other rotating equipment; disassembles and cleans valves; adjusts chains and belt drives; and generates work orders
Maintains plant lighting systems, changes the rotation of motors to facilitate blockage removal as well as tests for the integrity of the insulation housing motors and circuitry for the disconnection/reconnection of electric motors; changes fuses and cleans electrical equipment
Maintains pneumatic and hydraulic systems; • Performs minor carpentry, plumbing, and metal fabrication
Provides general housekeeping for all facilities, including grounds keeping, painting equipment and facilities in which they are housed; cleans tools and equipment
Troubleshoots power, lighting, and HVAC control circuits, and changes out electrical equipment
Involved in the operation and maintenance of complex control circuits such as hydraulic and AC/DC pump control, and motor control
Maintains system control valves such as PRVs, altitude valves, remote control valves, and backflow preventers; work involves operating valves in the water distribution system as needed; • Coordinates support to complete large jobs when necessary, that is heavy equipment, traffic control, and large main shutdowns
Prioritizes work to maintain water supply and water quality
Coordinates field studies that may include the installation and operation of portable pressure and flow recording gauges and the operation of pressure calibration and test equipment
Monitors gauges and alarms to ensure proper pressure and levels; records data at regular intervals
Initiates emergency procedures by notifying appropriate employees in the event of a system malfunction
Operates valves and pumps through the SCADA and/or process control automated system; • Climbs tanks for inspection, de-chlorination, and maintenance as required at specific locations
Maintains electrical substations up to 69Kv
Other Functions
Understand and coordinate the operations of the water distribution system
Work Environment And Physical Demands
Work in all kinds of weather conditions and considered an essential employee with overtime required to meet emergency situation
Employee must report to work as scheduled or as directed by their supervisor when WSSC Water declares an event that requires emergency personnel to report to work.
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Level I:
Good knowledge of standard procedures and tasks where basic analytical ability is required, as in the comparison of numbers and simple facts in selecting the correct action
Ability to work effectively in a team-based organization focused on continuous improvement
Establish and maintain a positive customer service attitude and effective working relationships with internal and external customers
Ability to demonstrate a strong two-way communication skills, including the ability to listen, explain, and facilitate
Ability to ask for input; offer help without being asked
Accept suggestions; work with others to solve problems
Provide recognition and encouragement
Additional skills are designated in the skill block allocation requirements as set forth by the Production team
Level II:
Comprehensive knowledge of standard procedures and tasks that require basic analytical ability, as in the comparison of numbers and simple facts in selecting the correct action
Ability to lead and train effectively in a team-based organization focused on continuous improvement
Ability to demonstrate strong collaborative skills, including the ability to listen, explain, and facilitate
Ability to: ask for input, offer help without being asked, consider and potentially accept suggestions; and work with others to solve problems
Ability to provide recognition and encouragement
Level III :
Leadership ability is mandatory—the incumbent would be solely responsible and accountable for facility operations and maintenance. Regulatory violations may be punishable by federal prosecution due to the potential for serious health and safety impacts
Good electrical and mechanical skills
Minimum Education, Experience Requirements
Level I:
High School diploma or equivalent
2+ years of experience in mechanical and electrical, water or wastewater operational systems
Level II:
High School diploma or equivalent
2+ years of water or wastewater operational and maintenance experience as a Facility Technician I or equivalent
Level III :
High School diploma or equivalent
2+ years of water or wastewater operational and maintenance experience as a Facility Technician II or equivalent; and completion of the Facility Technician III Certification Program, which includes passing an objective and quantifiable certification review and skills demonstration
per job description