USDA Circuit Rider Alaska Rural Water Association

Job Title: USDA Circuit Rider Salary Grade: 6
Reports To: Executive Director Position Type: Full Time
Revision Date: 02/15/2024 FLSA: Non-Exempt

Program Management
• Submit travel plans in a timely manner to the online travel calendar, and as needed when plans change.
• Produce and follow a yearly Operational Plan as required by NRWA.
• Visit a USDA Rural Development District office as required by NRWA.
• Produce and submit reports as required by ARWA and NRWA in established formats to meet required due dates.
• Provide the ARWA office with accurate and complete travel vouchers, timesheets, etc. by required due dates.
• Keep all expenses within budget.
• Comply with all NRWA USDA Circuit Rider program procedures and requirements.
• Provide monthly Board report of the prior month’s activity to the Office Manager by the third working day of each month in established format.

Onsite Assistance
• Complete a minimum of 23 quality onsite contacts per month with eligible systems in accordance with NRWA requirements.
• Coordinate travel with other Circuit Riders to geographically travel the entire state as much as possible and avoid duplication and excessive repeat visits. Must visit a minimum of three (3) systems each month that have not been visited in the previous six (6) months.
• Contact as many new systems as possible during a contract year; solicit new members.
• Coordinate technical assistance activity with other ARWA staff.
• Properly prioritize technical requests according to need.
• Focus on training, rather than “fixing,” when conducting onsite technical assistance.
• Use ARWA equipment in a professional, safe, and proper manner.
• Adhere to OSHA/AKOSHA requirements at all times.
• Plan travel as efficiently as possible to minimize expenses, including overtime, and maximize geographic coverage.

Training
• Attend training sessions conducted by ARWA, as time and workload permit.
• Promote attendance at all ARWA training sessions and conferences.
• Assist in ARWA conference agenda development/implementation and securing speakers and vendors.
• Attend and actively participate in ARWA conference(s).
• Attend NRWA In-Service training and Annual WaterPro Conference as required.
• Continually strive to improve training skills and knowledge of the drinking water field.

Other
• Promote and support ARWA’s mission and goals at all times; show initiative and creativity in furthering the mission and goals.
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings and all other meetings as required.
• Write articles for ARWA magazine and others as required or requested and submit them by established due dates.
• Assist with membership development and retention.
• Project a friendly, helpful, positive attitude to the public and fellow employees.
• Project a professional appearance and attitude at all times.
• Must be a team player.
• Provide safe and reliable transportation; personal vehicle to have insurance in accordance with ARWA policies and state law at all times.
• Maintain Alaska driver’s license in accordance with state law.
• Adhere to all ARWA Employee Manual, policies, and procedures.

Skills/Qualifications
• High school diploma or GED.
• Multi-year employment required (5 years minimum preferred) in working for, operating, maintaining, or managing a rural/community water system with an ADEC Level 1 or higher certification for water distribution and/or treatment (or other state equivalent).
• A well-rounded technical knowledge of rural and small system needs and methods of meeting those needs.
• Technical knowledge of operating, maintaining, and managing a rural/community water/wastewater system; Alaska Water Treatment and/or Distribution certification preferred.
• An understanding of budget/financial management.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally, and in writing, with operators, decision makers, regulatory agencies, and other professionals.
• Ability to identify, locate, and explain water/wastewater problems to system operators and decision-makers and provide suggestions for solutions.
• Knowledge and understanding of regulations, monitoring, and reporting requirements.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the state.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Experience with utilities in cold weather climates.

Preferred Qualifications
• Sanitary survey inspector certified, or the ability to become certified within one year.
• Backflow tester certified, or the ability to become certified within one year.
• GIS experience using ESRI software.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other duties as assigned to meet ongoing needs of the Association.