Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist III - Reclamation

City of Mes; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Mesa is seeking a Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist III for the Greenfield Water Reclamation Plant Assignment. This role trains and leads operations staff, reviews projects, and ensures safe, efficient plant maintenance and operations.

The position requires journey-level expertise in water/wastewater systems, plus mandatory certifications (Forklift, AZ Driver’s License, HazWoper, ADEQ) and ongoing PDH hours to maintain credentials, with potential for overtime and emergency

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required with five years of journey-level maintenance in water or wastewater facilities.
• Alternative: two years as Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II with City of Mesa.
• Must obtain forklift certification within six months and possess a Class D Arizona Driver's License.
• Must pass respirator medical evaluation per CFR 1910.134 and maintain certification.
• Maintain ADEQ certification with mandatory PDH hours and HazWoper certification within stated timelines.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced journey-level lead work, including training and mentoring staff.
• Lead project reviews, schedule work, handle timekeeping and coordination.
• Provide technical field knowledge for projects and assist in performance appraisals.
• May manage daily plant operations when required, analyze trends and monitor equipment.
• Engage in safety procedures, potential emergency call-out, and overtime as required.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Five years journey-level maintenance in water/wastewater

Two years as Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II (Mesa)

Forklift operator certification

Class D Arizona Driver's License

Respirator fit testing ( CFR 1910.134 )

ADEQ certification maintenance (30 PDH/3 years)

HazWoper 40-hour certification + annual refresher

Grade II (or higher) Wastewater Operator certification

Job description

The current vacancy is for the Greenfield Water Reclamation Plant Assignment. This recruitment will also be used to create an Eligible List to fill possible future vacancies at any of the Water Reclamation Plants.

The Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist III is responsible for performing advanced journey-level lead work that involves training, mentoring operations and maintenance staff, installing, maintaining, and repairing water or water reclamation equipment/facilities. Lead duties include: primary reviewer on day-to-day projects; scheduling/assigning work to staff; timekeeping and work coordination; training; providing technical field knowledge for projects; and providing input in preparation of written performance appraisals or disciplinary issues. Incumbents train and provide lead supervision over plant operators, other maintenance personnel, part-time employees, and other staff as needed. Performs related duties as required.

Water Reclamation Plant Assignment:

Incumbents may be assigned to the Southeast, Northwest, or Greenfield Water Reclamation Plants. Some examples of duties required and performed include: installing, maintaining, and repairing bar screens, compactors, degritters, mixers, blowers, odor control devices, centrifuges, ultraviolet (UV) equipment, chemical metering pumps, sludge hoppers, conveyor systems, boilers, biogas systems, waste gas flares, and filtration equipment. Although the primary responsibilities of this position are maintenance related, the Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist III may be responsible for managing the daily operations of the reclamation plant under the supervision of the Water Resources Plant Supervisor when necessary. Duties include analyzing trends and data, monitoring equipment, optimizing plant processes, collecting and analyzing process samples, and making data entry.

This class is distinguished from other Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialists by its responsibility for performing journey-level lead work. This class is distinguished from the Water Resources Plant Supervisor by not having full supervisory responsibility for maintenance staff. The position is subject to serve in a lead capacity for plant maintenance activities in the absence of the Supervisor. An employee in this class is required to use appropriate safety equipment and follow safety procedures in performing assignments. This class may be subject to emergency call-out and must be willing to work overtime and scheduled stand‑by as required. Job hazards may include frequent exposure to a variety of weather conditions, chlorine gas, fluoride, ferrous chloride, raw sewage, toxic chemicals, bleach, caustic, rotating equipment, biogas, noise, low oxygen, explosive environments and high‑voltage lines, and equipment. This class is supervised by the Water Resources Plant Supervisor depending on the incumbent’s work assignment. This class is FLSA nonexempt.

Please refer to the link below for the full job description and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.

Employee Values:

All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City’s shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required.

Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or GED. Five years of full‑time work experience in the performance of journey‑level maintenance mechanic functions in a water or wastewater treatment plant or similar system; OR two years of full‑time work experience as a Water Resources Plant Maintenance Specialist II with the City of Mesa.

Special Requirements.

Must obtain forklift operator certification within six months of hire or promotion date. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire or promotion date. Must meet the qualifications to wear a tight‑fitting respirator by passing a medical evaluation in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134 by hire or promotion date and must maintain certification. This class shall be responsible for acquiring a minimum of 30 professional development hours (PDH’s) every three (3) years to maintain their Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Certification. The incumbent must also obtain a 40‑hour HazWoper Certification as per the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) within six months of hire or promotion date andmust attend an 8‑hour HazWoper refresher course annually to maintain certification.

Water Reclamation Plant Assignment:

Must possess a Grade II (or higher) Wastewater Treatment System Operator certification from the ADEQ or equivalent certification from another state through reciprocity with Arizona by application date. Certification through reciprocity must be obtained within three months of hire or promotion date.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications.

Experience as a Water Treatment/Water Reclamation Plant Operator. Considerable (3 - 5 years) full‑time journey‑level experience associated with a water/wastewater treatment plant and/or water treatment equipment maintenance.

http://apps.mesaaz.gov/jobdescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs4502.pdf