Water Treatment Specialist

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Works under the supervision of the Generation Superintendent.

Maintains the water treatment program for the generation facilities by inspecting water/steam systems daily and identifying and solving problems relative to the treatment of water including discharges.

Adjusts and calibrates electronic equipment used to monitor steam systems and cooling tower systems.

Collects and analyzes water samples to determine treatment needs. Analysis includes, but is not limited to, determination of hardness, dissolved solids, conductivity, pH, and residual amounts of control chemicals in water systems.

Calibrates and sets metering pumps to dispense amounts of chemicals to maintain the prescribed amounts of chemical residuals in water/steam systems.

Orders and receives various types of chemicals for the treatment of water at the generation facilities by consulting with various chemical vendors and purchasing the proper quantity and quality of chemicals needed to maintain the water treatment programs.

Performs a variety of on-the-spot maintenance and repair tasks to assure the continuous and proper operation of the water treatment equipment and informs facility repair personnel of more complicated and extensive repair requirements.

Develops procedures and techniques whereby the water treatment standard programs of the gas-fired generation facilities may be implemented and improved to ensure that the proper chemicals and chemical balances are maintained throughout the water/steam systems.

Compiles, prepares, and submits various reports to water treatment contractors and/or consultants describing the results of various self-performed tests obtained at regularly scheduled times.

Maintains and properly regenerates water softeners, demineralizers, reverse osmosis units, and other associated water treatment equipment.

Ensures the gas-fired generation facilities have an effective water treatment program to prevent deterioration of boilers, turbines, and related equipment.

Ensures that the water treatment equipment is maintained and in good working order to insure proper operation of the water treatment programs at the gas-fired generation facilities.

Performs testing as required by municipal, state, and federal agencies and documents results of NPDES and storm water discharges.

Required to perform occasional shift work as a Relief Operator in a rotation of days, evenings, and nights including weekends and holidays.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

May serve on various employee committees, as required and assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

A pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol test is required for this position.

This position is subject to the City's Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Program. This includes: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return-to-duty testing, and follow-up testing.

Valid New Mexico driver's license with acceptable driving record for the past three years.

Extensive background checks required.

Must possess a two year Associates Degree from an accredited Industrial Water Treatment Program or equivalent In-Plant training with three years experience as an operator of an industrial water treatment program. Other education and/or experience may be considered.

Must possess a thorough knowledge of electronic and pneumatic systems associated with industrial water treatment.

Must be capable of determining the proper action to be taken with various pieces of equipment in cooling towers, steam generation equipment, and gas turbine generation equipment.

Must posses a working knowledge of spreadsheets/word processing computer skills.

Must have a thorough knowledge of the proper chemicals needed to maintain the gas-fired generating facilities water treatment programs.

Must possess good oral and written communication skills.

Must have a telephone and be able to be at the generation facilities within thirty minutes after receiving a call.

Must possess the ability to establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other City personnel and the public.

Must possess the ability to follow verbal and/or written instructions.

Must possess the ability to work under stress and handle stressful situations.

Must possess the ability to meet deadlines.

Must possess the ability to operate tools and equipment listed.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Calculator, phone, radio, fax and copy machine, computer (desk top and lap top), motor vehicles, water treatment testing equipment, laboratory equipment and various hand tools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is required to perform occasional shift work as a Relief Operator in a rotation of days and nights including weekends and holidays.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hand to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, climb ladders and stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear; employee is occasionally required to smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed inside/outside in all types of weather conditions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and lightning.

The noise level in the work environment is moderate to extreme.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F/D/V.