Utility Foreman I/II - City of Kenai  

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kenai/jobs/4775494/utility-foreman-i-ii

 

Job Description

The Utility Foreman I/II is a working supervisor of the Public Works Department under the direction of the Public Works Director. The Foreman is responsible for supervising and coordinating the daily operation, safety, and maintenance of the City’s Wastewater Treatment and Water & Sewer facilities. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) classifications of the City’s facilities are as follows: Wastewater Treatment 3, Wastewater Collections 3, Water Treatment 2, and Water Distribution 2. This position ensures compliance with State and Federal laws and regulations related to the Water Treatment System, Wastewater Treatment System, Wastewater Collection System, and Water Distribution System and assisting in the preparation of a variety of reports and maintaining records related to the utility system.  

A first review of applicants will take place on January 14, 2025; a second review on January 28, 2025 and a final review on February 11, 2025.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, review, and participate in the work of staff responsible for operating and maintaining the City’s Wastewater Treatment and Water & Sewer facilities.
2. Establish schedule and methods for providing wastewater treatment and water and sewer services; identify resource needs; review needs with appropriate management staff; allocate resources accordingly.
3. Participate in the development and implementation of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; make recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; monitor work activities to ensure compliance with established laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
4. Select, train, supervise, schedule, and evaluate the work of utility staff in accordance with City personnel policies; meet regularly with employees to advise on safety and policy; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures when necessary in conjunction with Human Resources.
5. Participate in the preparation and administration of utility budgets, submit budget recommendations and monitor expenditures.
6. Supervise, oversee, and participate in utility operation and maintenance. 
7. Supervise and perform field locates of existing water and sewer lines, and inspect new construction of water and sewer lines as needed; inspect hydrants and service connections; replace or assign replacement of parts as needed.
8. Supervise and participate in monitoring all utility processes and associated equipment. 
9. Operate and maintain heavy and light equipment; inspect machinery and mechanical equipment in operation to detect flaws and defects.
10. Supervise and participate in operating Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software and telemetry equipment.
11. Oversee the lab and participate in the collection of samples for testing or analysis; assign and perform lab tests; adjust chemical levels for proper treatment processes; conduct calibration and documentation as required. 
12. Supervise and participate in reading meters; shut off and turn on water services; deliver notices.
13. Supervise and participate in the maintenance of utility facilities and surrounding grounds.
14. Perform plumbing and electrical work associated with maintenance; operate mechanized equipment and hand/power tools as needed.
15. Monitor and comply with all Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and implement strategies to avoid violations.
16. Respond to emergency situations; assist as needed in other divisions of Public Works.
17. Assist the Public Works Director with the development and maintenance of the Capital Improvement Program as it relates to the utility systems. 
18. Prepare and submit documents and reports, including but not limited to Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) permit testing and Central Peninsula Landfill Sludge testing; maintain records, including but not limited to daily logs, timesheets, operation and activity reports, accident reports, and job safety analysis.
19. Communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and the public.
20. Perform job duties with minimal or no supervision and ensure staff works toward department goals and objectives.
21. Attend Department training and other continuing education programs; participate in and occasionally lead safety discussions; manage confined space and respiratory programs.
22. Maintain regular, reliable and predictable attendance at work. 
23. Perform other work as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

1. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
2. Must possess a minimum of five (5) years of experience in water distribution, wastewater treatment, wastewater collections, water treatment, or water distribution or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. 
3. Utility Foreman I (Range 21): The applicant (or employee after hire) must possess a minimum of a level 2 certification issued by the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation in two (2) of the following: Water Treatment (WT), Water Distribution (WD), Wastewater Treatment (WWT) or Waste Water Collection (WWC) and a level 1 certification in the other two. The employee must obtain the required level of certification for City facilities within one (1) year of acquiring the required hours of operation.. Continuing education to maintain certification is also required.  Utility Foreman II (Range 22): The applicant (or employee after hire) must possess a minimum of a level 3 certification issued by the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation in Wastewater Treatment (WWT) and Waste Water Collection (WWC); a level 2 certification in Water Treatment (WT) and Water Distribution (WD). Continuing education to maintain certification is also required. 

4. Must possess and maintain a valid Alaska commercial driver’s license with endorsements and without restrictions required to operate equipment utilized by the Utility division within six (6) months of employment start date. All licenses must be valid and current prior to operating a City vehicle requiring a commercial driver’s license. Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request.  This position is governed by the City of Kenai’s Drug and Alcohol policy and Department of Transportation (DOT) CDL regulations. The successful applicant will be given a conditional job offer conditioned on the applicant receiving a negative result on a pre-employment drug test. Regulations also require the City to obtain drug and alcohol information and testing results from the applicant’s employers for the previous two years. Past violations may make the applicant ineligible for hire unless evidence is provided to the City that the applicant has successfully completed DOT’s Return to Duty Requirements. 

5. The employee must be available to work varying schedules, including weekends, holidays, occasional shift extensions into the late evening hours in order to respond to after-hours emergencies, and approved stand-by shifts. The schedule is typically four ten-hour days per week, with the work days of the week changing on a rotating shift that will include occasional five-hour work days on weekends. The employee will be required to respond to emergency call-outs when available and comply with any requirements of approved stand-by pay. 

Supplemental Information

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATONS

1. Additional or higher levels of certification in Wastewater Treatment (WWT), Water Treatment (WT), Waste Water Collection (WWC) and/or Water Distribution (WD) or training or certification in hazardous communications, confined space, and/or lockout/tagout.
2. Experience working through major utility renovations and/or upgrades or renovations. 
3. Experience with implementation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and/or using the following software: Wonderware, Arcview and MS Office, including Excel.
4. Experience with emergency preparedness (e.g., working through a natural disaster).
5. Experience working with granting agencies (e.g., Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)).

WORKING ENVIRONMENT The employee must be able to do strenuous work in all kinds of weather (e.g., high temp., low temp., winds, snow, ice, fog, and direct sunlight) and on surfaces at, above, or below floor level. Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors in a varied working environment, during the day and at night or in the dark, and often in inclement weather and in extreme temperatures. Inside work is usually in buildings, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. Noise from heavy equipment, hammers, saws, and other tools is frequent. There is dust and sometimes dirt when repairing structures and operating tools. The employee may be exposed to sewage and wastewater, chemicals, dust and other irritants and toxic/poisonous substances. The employee is required to drive a vehicle and perform some work inside a vehicle, including operating radios, and a cell phone. Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices, federal and state laws, and City/Department policies and operating procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers dexterously (e.g., operate hand and power tools, telephones, radios, and some general office equipment); to work both inside and outside in all types of weather; to sit, stand, walk, stoop, crouch, lift, bend, and reach with hands and arms; to climb ladders; and to work in confined spaces. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to exert in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently. The employee is frequently required to operate heavy equipment and sit for extended periods of time. The employee must be able to climb in and out of heavy equipment vehicles, work in small spaces, and must be able to perform strenuous work in inclement weather.  Specific vision abilities required include close, distance, and peripheral vision, the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships. The employee must be able to hear and to talk and to communicate verbally in person as well as on a telephone and radio.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION The City of Kenai is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no restrictions on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law. 

*Upon initial appointment to a position, the employee will receive the minimum compensation for the position except in cases when unusual difficulty in filling the vacancy is experienced or when the appointee is exceptionally qualified. When an employee is exceptionally qualified, the City Manager may approve compensation at a level above the minimum but not more than the maximum range. Exceptional qualifications are in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications and include, but are not limited to having at least two DEC operator certifications above the existing requirements of Level 2 in Water Treatment and Distribution and Level 3 in Wastewater Treatment and Collection. or a minimum of 10 years in utility work and a minimum of two years supervisory experience. 

****Relocation Assistance of up to $5,000 may be available for exceptionally qualified candidates.

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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Utilities/Facilities Maintenance Specialist or Technician or laborer DOE
SALARY
$21.27 - $37.72 Hourly
LOCATION Talkeetna, AK
JOB TYPE Regular Full-Time
JOB NUMBER 2025-00007
DEPARTMENT Public Works
DIVISION Operations and Maintenance
OPENING DATE 01/30/2025
Job Summary
This position performs specialized duties in the operation, maintenance and repair of assigned Borough water and wastewater systems.
Work is performed and duties are carried out in accordance with established policies, procedures, and Borough core values: Accountability, Customer Focus, Dedication, Integrity, Responsiveness, and Teamwork.
This position may be required to participate in an on-call schedule to provide support outside regular business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Pay Grade
Utilities/Facilities Maintenance Laborer: $21.27 per hour - E1 DOE
Utilities/Facilities Maintenance Technician: $27.22 per hour - J1 DOE
Utilities/Facilities Maintenance Specialist: $34.85 per hour - O1 DOE

Minimum Requirements
Utilities/Facilities Maintenance Laborer Qualifications:
High School diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of experience in a similar position, performing duties relevant to the major duties of the position.
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check, drug screen, and physical.
Completion of required Incident Command System (ICS) courses in accordance with established Borough policy.
Utilities/Facilities Maintenance Technician Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent, and specialized training in the field of work including college courses, certificate programs, apprenticeship, etc.
Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience performing similar duties relevant to the major duties of the position.
Current certification in one or more of the following: State of Alaska Water Treatment 1, Water Distribution 1, Wastewater
Collection 1, and Wastewater Stabilization Pond certifications; provisional status is acceptable.
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check, drug screen, and physical.
Completion of required Incident Command System (ICS) courses in accordance with established Borough policy.
Utilities/Facilities Maintenance Specialist Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent, and specialized training in the field of work including college courses, certificate programs, apprenticeship, etc.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the occupational field, sufficient to understand the major duties of the position, and to be able to answer questions and resolve problems.
Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
State of Alaska Journeyman certification or licenses in one or more of the following: Water/Wastewater Treatment, Wastewater Collection, and Water Distribution.
Possession of or ability to readily obtain an appropriate state-certified license: State of Alaska Water Treatment I, WaterDistribution I, Wastewater Treatment Lagoon, and Wastewater Collection I certifications.
Must be able to participate in an on-call rotation, ensuring availability to address urgent issues, provide guidance, and respond to emergencies outside regular business hours.
Must successfully pass a pre-employment background check, drug screen, and physical.
Completion of required Incident Command System (ICS) courses in accordance with established Borough policy.
Relevant experience and skills may include:
operating heavy equipment such as a backhoe, skid steer, excavator, plow truck, and towing trailers. Experience understanding and performing simple plumbing and electrical repairs. Experience using hand tools. Maintaining trails and trailheads. Assists with repairs of asphalt and gravel surfaces.

Duties/Responsibilities
Pulls, installs, and repairs water meters; turns water service on and off; issues disconnect notices; reads meters monthly.
Repair water distribution and wastewater collection system infrastructure including water valves, hydrants, customer curb stops, and manholes.
Collect and transport monthly compliance water samples to a certified laboratory.
Conducts weekly lagoon checks; completes required logs and prepares required reports.
Conducts daily water quality checks at the water and wastewater treatment plants; records results, and makes appropriate chemical adjustments
Performs backwash procedures at the water plant.
Fills chemical tanks as needed.
Monitors cleans, and repairs lift stations.
Responsible for clearing snow and debris to ensure consistent access.
Locate infrastructure utilizing as-built and other historical drawings, metal detectors, and locating equipment.
Reviews stub-out and mainline connection permits, and works with contractors and the Permit Center to ensure a connection is performed. Review final work prior to backfill, and record new connection.
Thawing water and sewer lines utilizing electric pipe thawers and steam thaw trucks.
Repairs and maintains a variety of facility and utility systems; performs mechanical, plumbing, electrical, pneumatic, refrigeration, HVAC, building automation, water and wastewater utilities, and structure repair and maintenance functions.
Responds to and resolve complaints.

 

The Mat-Su Borough offers a variety of benefits to its eligible employees. These benefits include Health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, accident and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, retirement, supplemental benefits (in lieu of social security), deferred compensation, and an employee assistance program. Following is a brief description of some of these benefits.

Health Insurance:

The Borough provides group health insurance to all Regular employees scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week. The plan includes medical, prescription, audio, and optional dental and vision benefits. Coverage begins for the employee and family members on the 1st of the month following the date of employment. Family members include spouses and children under age 26. Beginning July 1, 2022, the amount charged to each employee, with a regular work week of 35 or more hours, will be based on which Tier you select and whether the optional vision/dental coverage is added. That amount will be divided between the first two paychecks of each month. The Borough will pay the remainder of the monthly costs. For employees working at least 30 hours but less than 40 hours a week, if the employee elects to be covered, the employee cost will also be based on the Tier selected and if the optional vision/dental coverage has been added.

Life & AD&D:

All regular full-time or part-time employees will have life insurance coverage provided by the Borough of $50,000 for themselves, $2,000 for their spouse, and $1,000 for each qualified child. The benefit for Accidental Death & Dismemberment of the employee is $50,000.

• Employees may purchase additional life insurance through the State of Alaska Supplemental Benefits System.

Retirement:

PERS Tier IV (applies to employees first entered into PERS service on or after July 1, 2006): Alaska Public Employees' Retirement System is mandatory with a contribution rate of 8%. The Borough portion is as follows: Defined Contribution Plan – 5%; Health Plan – 1.07%, Health Reimbursement Arrangement - $83.40 (per pay period), Occupational Death & Disability - .31%.

PERS Tier I, II, & III (applies to employees first entered into PERS service before July 1, 2006): Alaska Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) is mandatory with a contribution rate of 6.75%. The Borough portion is 22%.

For further information, go to the state of Alaska's website at www.state.ak.us/drb.

Alaska Supplemental Benefits System:

The Supplemental Benefits System (SBS) is in lieu of Social Security and is mandatory. An employee contributes 6.13% of gross wages, matched by the Borough (6.13%), on the present wage base of $132,900.

SBS offers other various benefit options which are fully explained on their website at www.state.ak.us/drb.

Deferred Compensation Plan:

The Borough offers a Deferred Compensation Plan to eligible employees. The maximum amount an employee may defer in any taxable year is 100% of taxable wages or $20,500, whichever is less. Employees over the age of 50 may contribute an additional $6,000 and ROTH $6,000.

Holidays:

The Borough recognizes 11 paid holidays (plus 1 floating holiday). Regular employees with a regularly scheduled work week of less than forty (40) hours shall receive holiday pay on a pro-rated basis.

Personal Leave:

Personal leave will begin accruing on the first day of employment, however, it will not be for until after the employee has completed three (3) months of service. Accrual rates are as follows:

0 through 1 year 5.9996 Hours per pay period

1 through 2 years 6.9227 Hours per pay period

3 through 5 years 8.7689 Hours per pay period

6 through 10 years 9.6919 Hours per pay period

11 years and longer 11.6378 Hours per pay period

Regular employees with a regularly scheduled work week of less than forty (40) hours shall accrue leave on a pro-rated basis.

Employer Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Address 350 E Dahlia Avenue Palmer, Alaska, 99645
Phone 907-861-8404
Website http://www.matsugov.us