Field Technician I at Thurston PUD in Lacey, Washington

Job Description:

Position Title: Field Technician I 

Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary, FLSA Non-Exempt, Overtime Eligible 

Department: Field Operations 

Location: Thurston PUD Field Office – Olympia, WA 

Reports to: Director of Field Operations 

Pay Range: $5,544.53 - $7,083.33 per month ($31.99 - $40.87 per hour) DOQ 

Definition 

This temporary position is expected to last three months, though the qualified candidate may be  eligible for transfer to a position with benefits that include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, enrollment in the WA State retirement system, paid time off, and other benefits. Under the  supervision of the Director of Field Operations, the Field Technician is responsible for installation,  maintenance, and repair of drinking water infrastructure at PUD-owned and operated water systems.  The Field Technician performs a broad range of manual and technical labor to provide safe drinking  water that meets state and federal regulations. 

Essential Duties (Duties may include but are not limited to:) 

• Assist in maintaining overall operations and efficiency of the water distribution systems, including  water treatment, within local, state, and federal regulations. 
• Assist in maintaining all water systems in safe working order to current sanitary survey standards.  • Perform skilled work in construction, maintenance, and repair of water mains, water service lines, and other water facilities at a journeyman level of work.  
• Read and repair meters; perform associated meter maintenance as needed. • Perform water quality samples, per local, state, and federal regulations. 
• Respond to customer complaints in a timely and courteous manner. 
• Provide excellent customer service, keeping customers informed in a timely and courteous  manner. 
• Travel to PUD water systems to perform routine checks and distribute equipment and supplies as  needed. 
• Complete required paperwork and forms in a timely manner. 
• Assist the Director of Field Operations to schedule maintenance and repairs for PUD water  systems. 
• Help with identifying capital improvements for all PUD-operated water systems. • Maintain inventory, and stock vehicles to respond to emergencies. 
• Perform grounds maintenance tasks (e.g., operating a weed eater, lawn mower, operating) as  needed.
• Perform facilities maintenance tasks (e.g., roofing work, working with hand tools, pressure  washing, and painting) as needed. 
• Performing manual labor to assist with repairs and projects (e.g., digging, lifting, and carrying  heavy objects). 
• Collect and update data for Asset Management Plan. 
• Train and assist other Field Operations staff on water system repairs(including emergency repairs  and infrastructure replacement) and/or meter replacements, as needed. 
• Train and assist other staff with locates at all water systems, as needed. 
• Create, maintain, and update distribution maps to all water systems. 
• Work with Director of Field Operations to maintain the Cross Connection Control Plan for all PUD  water systems. 
• Work with Director of Field Operations in writing scopes of work for planned projects. • Work with the Director of Field Operations to accomplish the PUD’s strategic plan, vision, and  goals. 
• Manage required paperwork at each water system and update as needed.  
• Assist in scheduling maintenance and repairs for PUD water systems.  
• Perform lead worker duties as needed. 
• Perform duties all Meter Reader job classification duties as needed. 
• Other duties as required. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Must possess knowledge of principles, regulations, practices, materials, and operating procedures  pertinent to the operations and maintenance of multi-water distribution, supply, and treatment  systems. 
• Must possess the ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely to a variety  of audiences, including but not limited to, customers, field and office employees, state, county  and municipal oversight agencies, and management. 
• Must possess effective communication skills, both written and verbal. 
• Must be team-oriented but able to work independently. 
• Must be able to work under pressure, handle multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.  • Must be able to deal with irate or disgruntled individuals that will require the use of conflict  management skills. 
• Ability and willingness to be on call, and work if needed during evenings, weekends and on  holidays. 
• Must have the ability to comply with all PUD policies and procedures and maintain confidential  information.  
• Must maintain a safe driving record and be able to serve as the primary operator of a District owned vehicle.  
• Must be safety-conscious and committed to safe work practices. 
• Must keep assigned vehicle and equipment clean and in good working order. • Work in accordance with District and generally accepted industry safety practices. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• High school diploma or equivalency (GED).  
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License with a driving record acceptable to the PUD’s insurance  carrier.
• Water Distribution Manager I certification or ability to acquire one within one year of  employment. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• One (1) to two (2) years of experience working with multi-water distribution and drinking water  treatment systems. 
• Prior experience in construction, plumbing, or water utility service industry 
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification 

Physical Requirements 

• Position requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, and lay for extended periods of time. • Position requires the ability to work in small spaces for extended periods of time. • Position requires the ability to drive up to 250 miles or more per day, frequently enter and exit a  

vehicle, walk up to a mile to job sites, and walk on uneven, steep, or marshy terrain. • Position requires the ability to lift objects up to 75 pounds in weight. 

• Position requires employee to perform simple grasping and fine manipulation, use a telephone,  and write and/or use a keyboard to communicate through written means. 
• Position requires the ability to work dexterously using multiple hand and power tools for extended  periods of time. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth  perception, the ability to adjust focus and the ability to distinguish between shades of color.  

Working Conditions 

Work is primarily performed outdoors in all weather conditions in a field environment. Laborer will travel  from site to site, up to 250 miles per day. Exposure to extreme temperatures, adverse weather conditions,  excessive noise, high voltage, toxic chemicals, environmental/seasonal allergens, and other hazards is  possible. Field Technician may also be required to work near moving traffic. The noise level in the work  environment is usually moderate.  

Level of Authority 

Work is performed under the general direction of the Director of Field Operations. The Field Technician I is expected to perform most assignments independently. 

Apply 

To apply, send your resume and a cover letter that highlights your qualifications to Thurston PUD using  one of the methods below. 

Email: HR@thurstonpud.org 

Fax (360) 357-1172 

Mail or In Person: Thurston PUD 

Attn: Human Resources 

1230 Ruddell Rd SE 

Lacey, WA 98503 

Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. For questions regarding this recruitment, please  contact our Human Resources Team at HR@thurstonpud.org or call us at (360) 357-8783.

During the recruitment process, background checks (e.g., criminal history records, employment reference  checks, driving record checks, etc.) will be conducted on the top candidates. The PUD is an Equal  Opportunity Employer and maintains policies for a drug-free and smoke-free work environment. 

About Thurston PUD 

Established in 1938, Thurston PUD is a special-purpose municipal agency located in Lacey, WA. The PUD currently owns and operates 276 water systems, serving a population of approximately 25,000 people,  including families, businesses, schools, and parks. Thurston PUD provides water planning and utility services to the citizens of Thurston County and operates water systems in Pierce, Lewis, King, Grays  Harbor, and Kitsap counties. The PUD is governed by three Commissioners who are elected by the voters  of Thurston County to serve for six years. 

The PUD offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package for full-time, permanent positions that includes: 

• Group healthcare coverage (medical, dental, vision) with low employee premiums,  • Group term life insurance, long-term disability coverage, and accidental death and  dismemberment coverage at no cost to PUD employees, 
• Participation in the State of Washington retirement plan, 
• Voluntary participation in the State of Washington Deferred Compensation Program, • Ten paid holidays and two personal holidays each year, in addition to sick and vacation leave  benefits, 
• PUD-paid training and certifications, and 
• Clothing allowance for administrative staff. For Field Operations staff, the PUD provides safety  clothing, work boots, and other equipment.

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