Utilities System Specialist - Apprentice - UIC Municipal Services

UIC Arctic Response Services, LLC; Alaska; On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Daily per diem of $70

Provided local housing

Paid travel to villages

Job summary

UIC Arctic Response Services, LLC is seeking a USS Apprentice to support municipal operations in Alaska. The role involves working under supervision on water and wastewater systems and requires travel to various villages. Candidates must have a high school diploma and the physical capacity to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions.

The position provides a daily per diem and involves rotating work schedules, requiring flexibility and a professional demeanor while interfacing with the public.

Qualifications

• Valid driver's license required.
• Must pass a respirator fit test.
• Willingness to study for certification exams.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with ADEC regulations.
• Support and train local utility operators.
• Perform operational tasks at treatment facilities.
• Maintain operation logs and inspect system components.

Skills

Ability to follow directions

Physical ability to lift 50 pounds

Coordination and balance

Ability to work outdoors in extreme conditions

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

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 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‑job training of local operators may be required.

General System Descriptions

Water Treatment:

• Raw water intake
• Bag/Micro/Nano filtration with chemical disinfection, backwash, and cleaning systems
• Short water production season to store annual water supply

Water Distribution:

• Water storage tanks with volumes totaling 3 to 10 million gallons in storage
• Central water circulation plant with fire pumps, water monitoring systems, and chemical dosing
• Direct‑buried water circulation loops
• Residential and commercial service connections

Wastewater Collection:

• Direct‑buried gravity or vacuum collection systems
• Sewage holding tanks

Wastewater Treatment:

• Extended aeration/activated sludge/MBBR waste treatment and sludge dewatering
• Ocean, surface water, and sub‑surface effluent discharge

Responsibilities

Essential functions will include:

• Ensure compliance with Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) regulations for utility plant operations.
• Maintain a safe working environment and promptly report safety concerns to the supervisor.
• Support, train, or mentor local utility operators as needed or as directed.
• Communicate with the central office daily via phone or email.
• Perform operational tasks at small water and wastewater treatment facilities.
• Operate and maintain water distribution and wastewater collection systems.
• Inspect, operate, monitor, and maintain equipment and systems in water/wastewater treatment processes.
• Monitor plant operations using visual inspection and SCADA systems.
• Regulate flows and conduct chemical analyses to ensure water quality.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements for treated water and wastewater effluent.
• Perform seasonal raw water pumping and treatment to ensure adequate reserves.
• Maintain operation logs and inspect system components such as fire hydrants, pumps, generators, and valves.
• Conduct annual inspections of residential service barrel connections.
• Complete daily work order reporting, including incidents, repairs, and callouts.
• Support preventive and corrective maintenance of utility plants and infrastructure.
• Implement emergency protocols to protect public safety and utility operations during system failures.
• Coordinate with local resources to identify, isolate, and repair leaks within operator capabilities.
• Issue public notifications such as boil water advisories or service shutdowns.
• Provide temporary water and sewer solutions to affected residents during service interruptions.
• Maintain inventory of utility plant parts and supplies; solicit quotes and submit purchase requisitions.
• Submit service requests to the local municipality for facility and equipment repairs outside W&S scope.
• Coordinate water and sewer repair efforts with the local village supervisor.
• Act as the water/sewer plant manager and oversee all related activities as needed.
• Assume lead operator responsibilities in the absence of a local operator.
• Operate heavy equipment if authorized and pre‑approved.
• Monitor the assigned village cell phone for operational or emergency needs.
• Be available for 24‑hour call‑outs and work varied shifts as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to pass a respirator fit test.
• Ability to follow directions and respond to requests from the Utility Systems Supervisor (USS), Training Administrator, and other Water & Sewer Project staff.
• Willingness to study exam preparation materials outside of normal working hours.
• Ability to coordinate with the Training Administrator and proctors to schedule and complete required certification exams during off‑rotation periods.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Must be able to work outdoors in extreme and varying weather conditions, including cold, snow, wind, and rain.
• Requires the physical ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Frequent walking, standing, climbing, kneeling, bending, stooping, and crawling in tight or uneven spaces.
• Must be able to climb ladders and stairs and safely access equipment and infrastructure.
• Ability to operate tools and equipment with precision and repetitive motion using hands and fingers.
• Requires good balance and coordination to navigate uneven surfaces and work around mechanical hazards.
• Must be able to hear and respond to audible alarms and verbal instructions in noisy environments.
• Visual acuity is required for reading gauges, instruments, and written materials.
• Ability to maintain concentration, follow instructions, and perform tasks with a high level of attention to safety and detail.
• Must be mentally and physically prepared to respond to emergency situations calmly and effectively.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in a variety of settings, including indoor utility plants and outdoor environments.
• Frequently exposed to extreme weather conditions, including wind, snow, rain, and sub‑zero temperatures, particularly in remote Alaskan locations.
• May be required to work in confined spaces, around moving mechanical equipment, and near hazardous chemicals.
• Subject to loud noise levels, slippery or uneven surfaces, and low‑light environments.
• Must be able to work flexible schedules, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Village‑based assignments may involve extended shifts (e.g., 10‑hour days, 7 days per week) with housing and per diem provided while on‑site.
• Must be available for emergency call‑outs and short‑notice travel to remote project sites.
• Expected to maintain a professional and respectful demeanor while working in and around residential communities and with customer representatives.