Utility Systems Operator II

Santa Fe County; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 46,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Fe County operates water and wastewater systems supporting residents and businesses across the county. The role involves routine operation of pumps, treatment processes, sampling, and records management to ensure regulatory compliance.

Applicants must have a high school diploma with 3 years of related experience or NM Level II certifications; familiarity with safety practices and field customer service is preferred. Training will be provided for equipment and procedures.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of physics and arithmetic to support water and wastewater treatment operations.
• Reading comprehension and writing skills.
• Ability to learn occupational hazards and safety procedures; operate equipment.
• High school diploma plus 3 years of training/experience in operation and maintenance of wastewater facilities.
• Must possess NM Water Systems Level II or Wastewater Systems Level II certification.

Responsibilities

• Operate pumps and controls; adjust flow rates and monitor equipment.
• Perform basic to mid-level maintenance and repairs on pumps, generators, meters, and related equipment.
• Collect water and wastewater samples; conduct basic lab testing and record readings.
• Maintain shift logs and report malfunctions or hazards to supervision.
• Provide basic field customer service and assist with public relations and information outreach.
• Assist in training Utility Workers and Operators I.

Skills

Physics basics

Reading & writing

Safety procedures

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma + 3 years training/experience

NM Water Systems Level II or Wastewater Systems Level II

Job description

• Perform duties of basic and mid-level duties in advance of appropriate and regulatory compliant operations of water and wastewater facilities used by the County to serve its customers and the public.
• Perform duties of basic and mid-level complexity in connection with the general and specialized operations of the County owned water and wastewater systems, which include pump stations, treatment plants, disposal fields and other.
• Performs tasks of basic and mid-level complexity associated with the operation, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of equipment, such as pumps, generators, pressurized vessels, blowers and compressors, metering devices.
• Performs duties of mid-level complexity in chemical water treatment, biological wastewater treatment,
• Under general supervision, adjusts flow rates, operates pumps and controls, performs repairs on equipment and maintains clear and accurate records of activities and events
• Performs basic and mid-level calculations to determine conditions associated with water processes and operations, and reports on findings in written or oral form to supervisor and others.
• Performs basic duties in connection with customer service in the field, and interacts with technical support staff of the Utilities.
• Performs duties associated with collecting water and wastewater samples in accordance with standard procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Performs basic laboratory testing on water and wastewater samples, reads, records and interprets meter and gauge data in the field, and maintains accurate shift logs.
• Under general supervision, monitors and performs operations related with applicable regulatory compliance.
• Performs duties associated with maintaining treatment plant work areas, grounds, equipment and tools, so that conditions are always conducive to a safe and health promoting environment.
• Reports verbally and in writing about malfunctions, abnormalities and potential hazards associated with the daily operations of water and wastewater systems.
• Performs public relations duties, makes presentations to members of the public to advance the public knowledge of water and wastewater systems.
• Provides basic training to Utility Workers and Operators I about the general operations of water and wastewater systems.
• When necessary, performs duties associated with housekeeping and cleaning of facilities
• Performs duties associated with keeping inventory of equipment and tools, and reports about any losses, damages, or other conditions that may need managerial attention.
• Performs mechanical work of basic and mid-level complexity in connection with preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment typically found in water and wastewater facilities.
• Operates road machinery and associated equipment used in day-to-day operations of water and wastewater facilities.
• Performs work orders by supervisor.

Knowledge / Skills:

• Knowledge of physics and arithmetic of minor complexity, as necessary to support and justify water and wastewater treatment operations, trouble shooting and correction.
• Reading comprehension of mid-level complexity and writing skills
• Ability to learn occupational hazards and safety procedures in the wastewater operations and maintenance; ability to operate powered and manual equipment, machinery, and tools used in wastewater plant operations and maintenance; to establish effective co-working relationships; to understand and follow oral and/or written communication; to observe safety procedures.

• High school diploma or equivalent plus three (3) years of training and/or experience in the operation and maintenance of advanced, complex wastewater treatment facilities or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess a NM Water Systems Level II or Wastewater Systems Level II certification.