Water & Wastewater Operator

The Board of Trustees for the Jackman Utility District is seeking applicants for a Water & Wastewater Operator. Deadline for submitting resumes is July 10th at 6:00PM. Resumes can be mailed to PO Box 340, Jackman, ME 04945 or dropped off at 28 Walton St. 

Job Title: Water & Wastewater Operator
Department: Water and Wastewater System Operations
Reports to: Board of Trustees, Jackman Utility District
Job Type: Full-time

Compensation: Starting pay equals minimum wage plus $4.50. Once the employee obtains
their Water Treatment I Water Distribution I and Wastewater Grade I they will receive a $1.00
raise based on evaluation and at the discretion of the board. Once the employee obtains their
Water Treatment II Water Distribution I and Wastewater Grade II they will receive a $1.00 raise
based on evaluation and at the discretion of the board. Once the employee obtains their Water
Treatment III Water Distribution I and Wastewater Grade II they will receive a $1.00 raise based
on evaluation and at the discretion of the board. The employee will be considered fully licensed
once they obtain their Water Treatment IV Water Distribution I and Wastewater Grade II and
they will receive a $2.00 raise based on evaluation and at the board's discretion. The employee
will not receive cost of living increases until they are fully licensed. Once fully licensed they
will receive Cost of living increases based on evaluation and at the discretion of the board.

Function and Purpose: Jackman Utility District Operators are responsible for all aspects of
water and wastewater operations, including but not limited to repairs and maintenance of the
water production facilities, storage systems, transmission and distribution systems, and sewer
collection system, pumping and treatment facilities. All members of the class are cross trained
and are expected to be proficient in the full range of responsibilities to sustain maximum
efficiency and flexibility in the District’s mission of sustaining life. Operators may also be
required to develop specialties in certain segments of system operations if needed. Each
Jackman Utility District operator serves as a representative of the District and a member of the
customer service team while on duty in any capacity.

Qualifications and Essential Job Requirements: Success in this position required in-depth
understanding of the components of a water and wastewater system, familiarity with the tools of
the trade, and a willingness to further develop skills as needed. Operators must have knowledge
to work productively with minimal supervision and to work well with others on projects
requiring cooperative efforts; flexibility for solving problems in the field; and the competence to
well-represent the District within the community.

Other qualifications and requirements are:
High School diploma or equivalent. Minimum of two years of experience in a similar
capacity. An equivalent combination of experience and vocational or other education in a related
field may be considered. Valid Maine Class IV Water Treatment and Class I Distribution
License and a Grade II Wastewater License; or the ability to acquire these licenses within the
probationary period or as set forth in the terms of the job agreement. A comparable license from
a reciprocal state will be considered. Employees must work toward obtaining a State of Maine
Class IV Water Treatment and Class 1 Distribution and a Maine Class II Wastewater Operators
License, with a goal of obtaining all licenses within 60 months of the date of hire. After which
time the operator will be responsible for the cost of taking the test, traveling to and from the test,
and will need to prepare for and take the test off District time without compensation. If the
operator does not succeed in obtaining a class IV Treatment and Class 1 Distribution and Class II
Wastewater after 72 months the Trustees may use their authority to dismiss that employee after
review of his/her work performance. Proficiency with basic tools and equipment, and a working
knowledge of tools and equipment specific to water and wastewater utilities, with the ability to
acquire proficiency within the 6 month probationary period. Computer and related technology
skills relevant to system operation and communication, including but not limited to experience
with SCADA control systems and working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, google
sheets and email.

Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds on a continuing basis and to perform
labor in the field as required, including but not limited to digging, shoveling, carrying, climbing,
and walking for hours at a time. Knowledge and experience of workplace safety. Valid Maine
driver’s license must be fully insurable. Criminal background check if not already employed by
the District.

Ability to work with employees as a team, share knowledge in assisting team members to obtain
licenses, to have respect for others skills and to delegate to those team members, also the ability
when required, to work independently, make routine decisions on the operation of the plants and
their equipment.

Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
As an operator of the water and wastewater plant it is necessary the employee has the ability to
recognize when assistance is needed and that the employee has the willingness to obtain that
assistance, along with the knowledge of where to find assistance in diagnosing and repairing
equipment and plant malfunctions when unable to do so independently.

The District reserves the right to modify the job requirements listed above if it is deemed to be in
the best interests of the District to do so

Core Job Responsibilities: This job description contains representative duties and
responsibilities only, and is not to be considered a comprehensive list of all duties and
responsibilities of the position. Management may at any time assign to staff additional
responsibilities that are a logical delegation to the position.

Representative Duties:
Water and Wastewater Plant and Pump Stations
1. Monitor chlorine residuals, turbidity and pH levels and monitor chemical levels in day tanks.
2. Perform checks at JUD, including on week-ends and holidays; ensure that motors are
functioning properly and efficiently.
3. Perform maintenance on all equipment, including motors and pumps.
4. Test safety equipment for proper functionality, including eyewash stations, emergency
showers, and fire extinguishers.

Transmission and Distribution Operation and Maintenance:
1. Monitor systems for leaks and needed repairs. Repair water and wastewater mains, services
and appurtenances as assigned.
2. Flush and clean systems, pump stations and mains, biannually and perform maintenance
flushing as scheduled.
3. Install and remove seasonal meters.
4. Install, test and rebuild water meters. Ability to troubleshoot malfunctioning meters in the
field.
5. Maintain hydrants, including flushing, repairing, painting, and reinstalling. Thaw and shovel
during the winter conditions.
6. Track meter and meter parts inventory on an ongoing basis.
7. Maintain truck and mobile equipment as needed.
8. Maintain shop and shop equipment in clean, neat and ready to use condition.

Installing and Construction:
1. Accurately locate mains, services and facilities of water and wastewater systems, for Dig-safe
purposes.
2. Assist with the installation of new mains and services including appurtenances.
3. Oversee and inspect contractor installations and all testing of new pipe and hydrants. Ability
to keep neat and accurate records, field books and as built plans on projects.

Customer Service:
1. Respond to customer inquiries and complaints.
2. Connect, reconnect, disconnect and repair services as assigned.
3. Read meters quarterly for billing purposes, and as required for misc. billing.
4. Understand water and sewer rates and how to calculate those bills manually.
5. Inspect and test customer backflow devices in accordance with the District Policy.
6. Maintain a working knowledge of MPUC customer service rules and regulations.

Other:
1. Maintain a working knowledge of Federal and State Drinking water regulations and
Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Act, including but not limited to Maine
Drinking Water Program and Maine Department of Environmental Protection requirements.
2. Follow all policies, procedures and safety guidelines established by the Jackman Utility
District.
3. Maintain required licenses through continuing education and training.
4. Take full inventory at year-end for audit purposes.
5. Maintain buildings and grounds.
6. Participate in on-call duty rotation, including customer service, normal operations, and
emergencies, including after hours and holidays.
7. Other duties assigned.

Working Environment
The Jackman Utility District considers the safety and security of its employees and the public to
be of paramount importance. The District strives to provide a safe and healthy workplace and to
familiarize its employees with the knowledge required to assist in maintaining that standard.
Those in the operator position spend the majority of time working in the field. Which often
involves presence of hazardous materials, distance walking and manual labor and/or additional
situations necessitating safety precautions.

This position may also entail administrative or reporting responsibilities, with desk time and
computer use. Occasionally, long periods of sitting and repetitive motions may be needed.
The District will provide all employees with mandatory OSHA standards and appropriate
equipment as required in these situations, with the goal of minimizing safety concerns and
discomfort as much as possible within the context of the work.