Description

The Northwest Suburban Municipal Joint Action Water Agency (Agency), a governmental organization, is seeking a qualified individual for a non-exempt, Part-Time (PT) Field Technician position. The primary responsibilities of the PT Field Technician include performing JULIE utility locates; providing construction observation and “Watch and Protect” services for work occurring near or potentially conflicting with Agency infrastructure; assisting with facility and equipment maintenance; and performing other duties as assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include transporting Agency vehicles for fleet maintenance; receiving, organizing, and stocking inventory; delivering parts, materials, and equipment to field-deployed staff; performing minor landscape maintenance; and assisting with painting, light carpentry, electrical, plumbing, custodial, and other general maintenance activities. The position may also require responding to emergency situations, as needed.

Work hours are flexible and will be coordinated based on the employee’s availability and the operational needs of the Agency. Daily work hours will generally fall between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Some work outside of these hours may be required to respond to emergency situations.

Requirements

Self-motivated individual who can work independently while also contributing effectively as a member of a team. Demonstrates a strong commitment to high-quality workmanship and takes pride in producing quality results. Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally and provide direction to contractors in a confident and authoritative manner. Ability to read and interpret construction plans and drawings is desirable. Experience working on or around large construction sites is desirable.

Experience or proficiency in one or more skilled trades is desirable, including water distribution, plumbing, and utility-related work. Works cooperatively with management and other staff to maintain a safe work environment and ensure compliance with applicable environmental, health, and safety regulations, policies, and procedures, including Illinois Department of Labor requirements, OSHA standards, and other applicable local, state, and federal safety requirements. Willing and able to perform a variety of additional duties as needed, in support of Agency operations. Demonstrates a willingness to expand job-related knowledge and skills through participation in outside training, classes, and other professional development opportunities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

The position requires a high school diploma or G.E.D. and one (1) to three (3) years of relevant experience in water or wastewater operations, industrial or manufacturing operations, facility maintenance, or a related field. A combination of public water or wastewater experience and plumbing or general maintenance experience is preferred. Previous experience performing utility locates, including JULIE locates, is also desirable. An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant work experience that demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position may be considered.

LICENSE:

A valid State of Illinois or equivalent driver’s license is required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND PROFICIENCIES:

Ability to exercise sound judgment, make critical decisions, and quickly learn and apply new skills as situations demand. Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with Agency staff, contractors, and others.

Must be self-motivated, able to work independently with minimal supervision, and capable of managing multiple assignments and competing priorities. Demonstrates strong organizational, time-management, and documentation skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The employee must have sufficient physical endurance to perform manual and physically demanding work for extended periods.

• Strength: Ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force continuously to move objects.
• Climbing: Ability to ascend and descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, and similar structures using the feet, legs, hands, and/or arms.
• Balancing: Ability to maintain body equilibrium while walking, standing, crouching, or working on narrow, slippery, uneven, or moving surfaces.
• Stooping: Ability to bend the body downward and forward at the waist.
• Kneeling: Ability to bend the legs at the knees and work from a kneeling position.
• Crouching: Ability to bend the body downward and forward by bending the legs and spine.
• Crawling: Ability to move on hands and knees or hands and feet when required.
• Reaching: Ability to extend the hands and arms in various directions.
• Handling: Ability to seize, hold, grasp, turn, and otherwise work effectively with the hands.
• Fingering: Ability to perform fine motor tasks, including picking, pinching, and manipulating small objects.
• Feeling: Ability to perceive characteristics of objects, including size, shape, temperature, and texture, through touch.
• Speaking: Ability to clearly communicate and exchange information verbally.
• Hearing: Ability to hear normal conversations and telephone communications and to recognize changes in sounds or pitch associated with equipment such as electric motors, pumps, and compressors.
• Smelling: Ability to detect and distinguish odors that may be associated with equipment, facilities, chemicals, or potentially unsafe conditions.
• Vision: Must possess sufficient near and distance vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, color recognition, and ability to adjust focus to safely perform assigned duties. Vision must be sufficient to read technical manuals, meters, construction plans, blueprints, electrical plans, wiring diagrams, and similar materials.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position.

• Ability to successfully complete any job-related physical examination required by the Agency, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors for extended periods and under varying weather conditions, including occasional severe or inclement weather.
• Work routinely requires standing, walking, reaching, stooping, crouching, twisting, bending, kneeling, crawling, and climbing stairs and ladders.
• Ability to occasionally work in or around excavations, confined spaces, elevated surfaces, and other field or construction environments.
• Work may involve exposure to noise, dust, dirt, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, chemicals, electrical hazards, high-voltage equipment, radiant energy, water, and other conditions commonly associated with utility, construction, and maintenance operations.
• Work requires travel between Agency facilities, construction sites, and other locations within the Agency's service area.
• Work may occasionally require climbing or working on elevated structures, including water towers, reservoirs, and similar Agency infrastructure.
• Employees are expected to comply with all Agency safety policies, procedures, training requirements, and applicable local, state, and federal safety regulations.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE:

This position requires the use of computers and a variety of hand tools, power tools, vehicles, machinery, testing equipment, and other equipment necessary to perform assigned field and maintenance duties. Depending on the work assignment and the employee’s training and qualifications, tools and equipment may include hand and power tools; soldering equipment; test probes; wire cutters and strippers; wrench sets; ammeters, multimeters, ohmmeters, meggers, oscilloscopes, gauges, and instrumentation calibration equipment; blueprints and schematic drawings; welding and cutting equipment; air compressors; pumps; generators; valve operators; cutting and threading machines; confined-space equipment; gas detectors; hoists; and other related tools and equipment.

The position may also require the operation of Agency vehicles and motorized equipment, including 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks, tractors, snowplows, snowblowers, forklifts, and similar equipment. The employee may work with or around electrical and mechanical equipment, including switchgear, motors, motor starters, pumps, valves, and related Agency infrastructure. Employees will only operate specialized tools, vehicles, or equipment for which they have received appropriate training and authorization, as required.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE:

This position requires the use of computers and a variety of hand tools, power tools, vehicles, machinery, testing equipment, and other equipment necessary to perform assigned field and maintenance duties.

Depending on the work assignment and the employee’s training and qualifications, tools and equipment may include hand and power tools; soldering equipment; test probes; wire cutters and strippers; wrench sets; ammeters, multimeters, ohmmeters, meggers, oscilloscopes, gauges, and instrumentation calibration equipment; blueprints and schematic drawings; welding and cutting equipment; air compressors; pumps; generators; valve operators; cutting and threading machines; confined-space equipment; gas detectors; hoists; and other related tools and equipment. 

The position may also require the operation of Agency vehicles and motorized equipment, including 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks, tractors, snowplows, snowblowers, forklifts, and similar equipment. The employee may work with or around electrical and mechanical equipment, including switchgear, motors, motor starters, pumps, valves, and related Agency infrastructure. Employees will only operate specialized tools, vehicles, or equipment for which they have received appropriate training and authorization, as required.

PERTINENT INFORMATION:

This is a non-exempt, part-time position. The position is eligible to accrue paid leave in accordance with the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act and applicable Agency policies. The Agency will provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), uniforms, and tools and equipment necessary to safely perform assigned duties. The successful candidate will be required to comply with all applicable Agency policies, procedures, safety requirements, and work practices as a condition of employment.

EMPLOYEE AVAILABILITY & RESPONSIBILITY:

As a condition of employment, the employee must be available to work outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as necessary to support operational needs and respond to emergency situations.