Water Operations Technician - Construction & Heavy Equipment

NW Natural; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Wellness platform

Vacation days and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Stock Purchase Program

Job summary

NW Natural Water is seeking a Water Operations Technician to perform entry-level operation, maintenance, construction, and repair work across water systems. Training and oversight provided; you’ll assist experienced operators on complex tasks and participate in safety and required certifications.

Responsibilities include assisting with excavation, meter work, and water-quality sampling, with on-call rotation and teamwork for daily field operations. A valid driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in utility, construction, heavy equipment, excavation, underground infrastructure, or closely related field.
• Ability to learn water distribution operations and obtain required certifications within timelines.

Responsibilities

• Support construction, installation, and repair of water mains, hydrants, check valves, and service lines.
• Inspect, operate, and exercise gate valves; flush hydrants and dead-end lines; take water samples.
• Locate and mark distribution system facilities and leaks.
• Install and replace water meters and valve cans; maintain facilities.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safety procedures

Teamwork

Communication skills

Driver’s license

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Hand tools

Hand-held power equipment

Vacuum excavation equipment

Light- and medium-duty vehicles

Job description

Water Operations Technician - Construction & Heavy Equipment

Non-Union Position; Multiple PositionsWTR-Operations Water Services-King Water 2; Coupeville, Washington (US-WA) Regular FT, Non-Exempt Posting # 5704

About Us:

NW Natural Water owns and operates water and wastewater utilities in communities throughout Texas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Since 2018, we have acquired more than 30 utilities and today serve more than 190,000 people via 76,000 connections.

Our parent company, NW Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and has been doing business for over 165 years. The company operates through NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), SiEnergy Operating (SiEnergy), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), and other business interests, serving a combined population of over 2.6 million people.

NOTE: Qualified applicants must be able to respond within 2 hours to their designated service areas.

Position Summary:

The Water Operations Technician performs entry-level operation, maintenance, construction, and repair work supporting water systems. The role also responds to public inquiries and service requests as needed.

This position is designed for someone building water-utility expertise. Work is completed with training and oversight, and the Technician assists more experienced operators with complex assignments. The Technician does not routinely lead or direct work activities.

The duties listed describe the core responsibilities of the role, but additional assignments may be given as needed to support operational needs.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support construction, installation, and repair of water mains, fire hydrants, check valves, and service lines; assist with tapping water mains, excavation, asphalt work, and restoration of excavated areas.
• Inspect, operate, and exercise gate valves to prevent seizures; flush fire hydrants and dead-end water lines to remove sediment; and take water samples for testing.
• Locate, identify, and mark distribution system facilities, including valves, fire hydrants, and blow-offs.
• Locate and identify leaks.
• Install, relocate, and adjust meter boxes and valve cans; install and replace water meters.
• Perform repair and maintenance on water and wastewater facilities, including structures and grounds.
• Operate service trucks and, as trained and authorized, light- and medium-duty equipment used for field construction and maintenance work; inspect assigned vehicles and perform minor maintenance.
• Follow all NW Natural Water Services policies, procedures, and safety regulations, including grooming and uniform requirements.
• Communicate effectively, in writing and verbally, with management and other operators at the technical level required for the position.
• Participate in specialized training for the safe handling of hazardous materials and confined-space entry.
• Participate in weekly team meetings.
• Work effectively as part of a team and independently, with or without direct supervision.

Tools and Equipment Used

• A variety of hand tools and hand-held power equipment.
• Light- and medium-duty vehicles and equipment, including vacuum excavation equipment.
• Computer and general office equipment.

Working Conditions and Environment:

Work may range from extreme outdoor conditions to indoor duties. This position regularly works outside, year-round, in all weather conditions. Safety procedures must be followed at all times. Work may involve exposure to hazardous materials, confined spaces, electrical components, and heavy equipment. The field environment is usually moderately noisy, with higher noise levels when operating hand-held power equipment.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Prior utility, construction, heavy equipment, excavation, underground infrastructure, or closely related field experience.
• Ability to learn water distribution operations and obtain required certifications within established timelines.
• Valid driver’s license (or obtain within 90 days if out-of-state), required certifications/endorsements, and satisfactory driving record.
• Consent to annual Motor Vehicle Records checks and successful completion of a criminal history check.
• Ability to safely lift at least 50 pounds, and more with assistance.
• Ability to safely lift and use respirators and self-contained breathing apparatuses.
• Ability to safely access and exit trenches, manholes, lift stations, water reservoirs, and towers.
• Ability to work a weekend or variable shift and participate in a 24-hour emergency on-call rotation when assigned.

Required Certifications:

• Must be obtained within six months of employment:
• Washington State Flagger certification card
• Forklift card
• First Aid and CPR certification
• Must obtain a Level I certification in water distribution and/or treatment operations within 12 months of employment, such as Water Distribution Manager Level I (WDM1) or Water Treatment Plant Operator Level I (WTPO1).

What we offer:

• Health & Wellness –Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
• Free access to an online wellness resources platform
• Work Life Balance -Accrue up to 15 Vacation Days annually13 paid holidays3 weeks paid parental leave
• Financial -Competitive 401K company contribution and match15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase ProgramUp to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement

Base hourly range:

$25.00 - $34.41 per hour, depending on qualifications

Additional Information:

We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural Water participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

NW Natural Water does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural Water valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural Water HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural Water. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural Water as a result of the referral or through other means.