Wastewater Maintenance Technician/Trainee

Important Notice:  Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) is hiring a Wastewater Maintenance Technician Trainee in the Wastewater Pollution Control Plant (WPCP), for an on-the-job training/work apprenticeship program, which offers a career path to the highest level of mechanic at WPCP. 

The apprenticeship program is a structured four-year process of training, certifying, and compensating employees, as they move through four trainee levels to a full-performance Wastewater Maintenance Technician (WMT) position within four years of hire date. Permanent status is achieved only after completing all training and certification requirements for full-performance WMT. 

The WPCP is a state-of-the-art, highly automated advanced wastewater treatment facility, capable of treating more than 40 million gallons per day of high-quality effluent through wastewater treatment systems and equipment, such as automated de-watering centrifuges and influent lift stations.

The apprenticeship program includes:

• Extensive County-paid technical courses and training using the TPC training system, such as wastewater systems overview, safety, CMMS, WEF pump computer, backflow preventer, crane truck/backhoe/skid loader/rigging/overhead crane operation, laser alignment, vibration analysis, root cause failure, oil analysis, and other required trainings;
• A structural and pipe welding certification and CDL License;
• Defined expectations of accomplishment at each level or subject to separation from training; and
• A compensation plan based upon the achievement of new skills through comprehensive testing, certification, and demonstrated application of skills.

 Specific duties include:

• Examining equipment to determine the viability of replacement or repair of parts or equipment;
• Coordinating maintenance or repair work with other agencies or contractors;
• Performing predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance using a variety of diagnostic tools, historical data, blueprints, factory specifications and the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS);
• Analyzing system failure or condition to determine root cause or potential for breakdown;
• Evaluating problems or work assignments to determine scope of project, set priorities, estimate resource needs, and plan follow-up activities; and
• Training staff and monitoring work and systems to ensure compliance with government regulations, standards, and mandates.

The Full Performance Maintenance Technician is responsible for technical, skilled trades and project management work. This includes installing, maintaining, and renovating complex industrial systems and equipment in the WPCP, along with Water and Sewer Lift Stations maintained, and managed in DES.

Minimum:
WMT Trainee ($46,09.80 - $98,883.20)

Apprentice Level 1:

• HS Diploma/GED;
• One (1) year of mechanical experience; and
• Must possess a CDL B License or obtain within first year of employment.

Apprentice Level 2:

• Completion of the requirements for Apprentice Level 1;
• One (1) year of experience in wastewater maintenance; and
• Must possess a CDL B License, forklift certification, first aid and CPR certification at time of hire.

Apprentice Level 3:

• Completion of the requirements for Apprentice Level 2;
• Two (2) years of experience in wastewater maintenance; and
• Must possess a backflow preventer license, and plate and pipe welding certification at time of hire.

Substitution: One year of directly related technical school training beyond the high school level or a college degree in Engineering or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience requirement.

Desirable:  Preference may be given to candidates with in one or more of the following:

• Experience working in an industrial environment;
• Wastewater maintenance mechanic experience;
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing pumps, blowers, mixers, conveyors, or gearboxes;
• Rigging and material handling experience; and
• Plate and pipe welding certification.

Special Requirements

A completed application will include