Utility Technician

Riley County; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Riley County seeks a Utility Technician to operate and maintain the county water and wastewater facilities and related infrastructure. The role involves interpreting design plans, making technical calculations, and applying mechanical skills to field operations.

The position requires detailed, independent decision-making and adherence to departmental policies and state regulations, with oversight by the Assistant Public Works Director and coordination with engineering staff.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain county water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Read meters, collect water samples, and test daily.
• Respond to alarm systems and perform routine maintenance.
• Ensure compliance with county policies and state regulations.
• Maintain files for maintenance schedules and testing results.

Job description

Job Details

• Department:** Public Works Division: Road and Bridge
• Reports To:** Assistant Director of Public Works
• Pay Range:** 10 Status: Full time
• FLSA Status:** Non-Exempt
• Position Summary:** The Utility technician is responsible for the

Position Summary

The Utility technician is responsible for the operation and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure of county water and wastewater benefit districts, as well as making calculations, interpreting design plans and technical literature, and having mechanical ability. Work assignments are varied and broad in scope which requires highly detailed and technical independent decision-making skills. Work is reviewed by the Assistant Public Works Director through consultations and field inspections to determine progress and adherence to departmental policies and state regulations. Major projects are reviewed by the Engineer, Assistant Engineer or the Operations Manager before action is taken.

Essential Functions

• Complete all daily inspection associated with County Benefit Districts, following safety protocol, including pump stations, lift stations, treatment lagoons and sewer treatment plant.
• Maintain and clean lift stations, floats, open pits using tools and equipment to make appropriate adjustments and repairs when needed.
• Respond to alarm systems on equipment.
• Conduct State required tests at sewage treatment plants and lagoons as required.
• Read meters monthly, collect water samples and tests daily including weekends and holidays, and exercise water valves annually.
• Ensure duties are carried out in accordance with County and Departmental policies and guidelines.
• Ensure time management on projects is sufficient.
• Provide for regular and punctual attendance and fosters a cooperative work environment.
• Maintain project lists and organize work by priority and location.
• Repair or initiate repair of equipment, pumps, motors at sites, water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Periodically inspect equipment assigned to ensure units are clean and maintenance is being performed adequately.
• Maintain area around pump stations, lift stations and sewage treatment plants and lagoons by mowing, weeding, removing snow and collecting trash and debris.
• Create, set up, and maintain files for maintenance and repair schedules, testing results and meter readings.
• Perform utility locates of County owned Benefit districts infrastructure.
• Assist the director in the permitting and inspection of any utility installations in county road right-of-ways and easements.

Secondary Functions

• Assist Engineering Technicians with project inspection and testing as needed.
• Maintain a clean work area.
• Attends conferences and trainings to maintain certifications.
• Document and track utility locations, coordinate map information with the geographic information system network.
• Create survey forms, inventory forms, graphs, tables, and other illustrative material for collecting data, creating reports, and making presentations to the County Commission, the news media and the general public.
• Participate in staff meetings, safety meetings and other related activities.
• Requires frequent overtime outside normal work hours which may include weekends and holidays.
• Perform other duties as assigned.