Utilities System Specialist - Apprentice (NSB Residents Only) - UIC Municipal Services, LLC

UIC Arctic Response Services, LLC; Alaska; On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated USS Apprentice to support the operation and maintenance of municipal water and sewer systems in the North Slope Borough. This role involves working closely with local operators to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and maintaining high-quality utility services. The apprentice will gain hands-on experience in various essential functions, including monitoring plant operations, conducting chemical tests, and coordinating repairs. With a structured rotation schedule and comprehensive training, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to vital community services while developing valuable skills in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Paid travel from/to Anchorage or Fairbanks

Provided local housing

$70 daily per diem

Qualifications

• Ability to follow directions and respond to requests from supervisors.
• Valid driver's license and ability to pass a respirator fit test.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with utility plant regulations and maintain a safe working environment.
• Perform a variety of duties essential to the operation of water and wastewater treatment facilities.
• Conduct daily reporting and maintain logs of plant operations.

Skills

Compliance with environmental regulations

Communication skills

Ability to operate heavy equipment

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

SCADA systems

Windows software

Job description

Overview

UIC Municipal Services is based in Utqiagvik. Our mission is to help the North Slope Borough achieve their goals “to sustain and improve the quality of life for the North Slope Borough residents by providing a wide range of cost-effective and well-coordinated essential municipal services.” During their certification training, the USS Apprentice will be expected to work with a Utility System Specialist (USS) on the operation and maintenance of treatment, distribution and collection systems. The USS Apprentice will be under the direct supervision of the USS (Utility System Specialist). Work with a team of local operators to maintain operational and regulatory compliance status of local municipal water and sewer utility systems. USS Apprentice will rotate in and out of each of the seven villages on North Slope, where populations range from 250 to 1000 residents. Work schedule will be 10 hours daily at a minimum, with longer days to meet repair and call out needs. Summer water pumping will be 12 hour days for approximately 3 calendar months. Rotation schedule will be 3 weeks on (23 days), 3 weeks off (19 days). $70 a day per diem is provided.

The USS Apprentice will be staying in provided local housing (no camp). Travel from/to Anchorage, AK or Fairbanks, AK to the villages are paid by employer - all other travel expenses are the responsibility of the employee. The USS apprentice will report directly to the Field Operations Lead, or to the Project Manager when the Field Operations Lead is unavailable. Equipment preventative maintenance and repairs will be required. This will include directing or accomplishing the excavation and repair of buried pipes in arctic conditions, and repair of individual residential and commercial service connections. The USS Apprentice will be trained to maintain, clean and organize the Water and Wastewater plants. Maintain daily reporting to the central office in Utqiagvik. Report emergency incidents when they occur. Communicate system issues to engineers. Keep daily water and wastewater logs on the Windows software. Prepare and send wastewater samples on a timely basis for monthly discharge monitoring reports. These are municipal sites and systems; they are not industrial. The USS Apprentice must be able to interface with the public, maintain a professional demeanor, and work with municipal employees to maintain utility service. On-the-job training of local operators may be required.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Ensures Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation compliance of utility plants
2. Maintains a safe working environment and reports safety concerns to supervisor
3. May train, mentor, or direct and oversee local resident utility operators as needed or as requested
4. Daily reporting to central office by phone or email
5. Performs a variety of duties essential to the operation of a small water and wastewater treatment facility
6. Performs a variety of duties essential to the operations of water distribution and wastewater collection systems
7. Inspects, operates, monitors, and maintains a variety of facilities, equipment, and systems involved in various processes of a water and wastewater treatment plants
8. Monitors plant operation through visual observation and SCADA
9. Regulates flows
10. Performs chemical analysis and tests
11. Performs a variety of related duties to ensure the facility’s final finished water and effluent is of the best quality and compliant to regulatory requirements
12. Perform seasonal raw water pumping and treatment to meet anticipated water reserves
13. Maintains logs of plant operations – periodic checks on fire hydrants, fire pumps, generators, valves, etc.
14. Perform annual inspections of residential service barrel services
15. Daily completion of work order reporting – detailing incidents, repairs and call outs conducted by all the W&S staff on all aspects of W&S infrastructure.
16. Supports the maintenance (preventive and corrective) of the utility plants and systems
17. Implement emergency protocols to protect the W&S systems, water reserves and general public safety during W&S emergencies or system failures.
18. Coordination between W&S Operators and other local resources to identify, locate, isolate and repair leaks in W&S systems within the expertise of the W&S Operators onsite.
19. Notify public of boil water notice or shut down of W&S services
20. Provide temporary water and sewer to individuals that experience interrupted services
21. Maintain and inventory parts and materials in the utility plants
22. Work with vendors on soliciting quotes for parts and supplies
23. Submit purchase requisitions and receiving reports on orders
24. Submit service requests to local municipality for non-water/sewer repairs to facilities and equipment
25. Coordinate water and sewer repairs with local village supervisor
26. Will act as the water/sewer plant manager overseeing all water sewer related activities
27. Assume the lead operator's role in the absence of a local operator or as needed
28. Operation of heavy equipment, if pre-approved
29. Monitor assigned village cell phone
30. Subject to twenty-four (24) hour call outs and works varied shifts as assigned
31. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
32. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Essential Knowledge; Skills and Expertise:

1. Follow directions and respond to requests given by the USS, Training Administrator, and other Water and Sewer Project staff
2. Study the exam prep materials outside of normal work hours.
3. Coordinate with the Training Administrator and exam proctors to take the required exams while off rotation.
4. Take one exam while off work every six weeks.

Required Qualifications:

1. Ability to pass a respirator fit test
2. Valid driver's license
3. High school diploma or equivalent.