WASTEWATER OPERATOR III
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POSITION SUMMARY
Under general supervision, performs daily work assignments for the Wastewater Reclamation Division of the Utilities Department, in accordance with the Employee Manual, Department Policies and Procedures, City of Alamogordo Ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal authority.
ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
With a supervisory endorsement and Department Director approval, Wastewater Operator III employees who have met the required qualifications for a Wastewater Journeyman Operator position are eligible for automatic promotion to the Wastewater Journeyman Operator position pursuant to the City of Alamogordo's Utilities Department Certified Operator Pay Plan Policy.
RECRUITMENT QUALIFICATIONS
Required at the time of hire:
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent;
- Current Wastewater Systems Level 3 (WW3) certification* issued by the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission;
- Valid New Mexico Driver's License with a driving record acceptable to the City of Alamogordo (valid out-of-state license may be considered acceptable until NM CDL is obtained).
Required within sixty (60) days:
- Successful completion of NM811 training (Excavation Law Class).
Required within six (6) months:
- Valid New Mexico Class A Commercial Driver's License with Tank (N) endorsement and a driving record acceptable to the City of Alamogordo. Skills testing shall be performed in a commercial vehicle equipped with a manual transmission. Drivers shall be granted a period of six (6) months to upgrade and remove an automatic transmission (E) restriction if one exists.
Required within twelve (12) months:
- Valid Traffic Control Technician (TCT) certification.
Required within twenty-four (24) months of hire date:
- Wastewater Systems Level 4 (WW4) certification* issued by the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission.
Desired:
- Current Wastewater Lab Tech 2 (WWLT2) issued by the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission.
- The NMED Utility Operator Certification Program determines minimum qualifications for a WW3 and WW4 certification. Testing eligibility and renewal requirements are subject to change in accordance with the Program.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Duties
- Interprets all charts, trends, graphs and test results;
- Ensures that wastewater operations comply with operating guidelines and that treated reclaimed water is safe and acceptable entering the distribution system;
- Understands wastewater treatment theory/technology and applies that knowledge to the wastewater treatment process;
- Inspects wastewater equipment and facilities to locate and report needed repairs and maintenance; reports and/or corrects unsafe working conditions;
- Receives supplies delivered and ensures that they are properly stored; reports need for materials to supervisory staff;
- Participates in a variety of special projects such as construction of piping and structural systems related to wastewater treatment processes and conveyance;
- Operates a variety of heavy equipment including backhoes, excavators, front end loaders, bull dozers, dump trucks, and tractor trailer combinations;
- Maintains and updates accurate records for treatment process and prepares logbook entries;
- Installs, maintains, repairs, modifies, troubleshoots and services reclaimed wastewater operations machinery and equipment including pumps, valves, motors, meters, tanks, reservoirs, feeders, and online analyzers; change lubrications;
- Generates and reviews Standard Operating Procedures for troubleshooting, maintenance of equipment, and wastewater treatment process;
- Becomes familiar with operation manuals such as maintenance, treatment, and safety;
- Reads, records and interprets information taken from computers, gauges, dials, and other instruments; acts on the information as appropriate;
- Monitors, interprets, and adjusts computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) controls;
- Performs preventative maintenance; oils, greases, cleans, and otherwise services wastewater equipment; uses hand and power tools to remove, install, and make minor repairs, modifications, or additions to wastewater facilities;
- Performs general wastewater facility upkeep such as sweeping, mopping, cleaning, sanding and painting; performs general grounds keeping and housekeeping as required;
- Ensures tools and equipment are properly maintained, and meets any scheduled maintenance requirements;
- Responds to customer complaints regarding wastewater problems;
- Regulates pressures and flow rates on the reclaimed water system in accordance with demand, storage, and production;
- Monitors, operates, maintains, troubleshoots, and adjusts wastewater treatment process equipment, including pumps, motors, pressure reducing valves, pump control valves, monitor wells, chemical feed systems, and related plumbing components;
- Controls the application of hazardous materials and chemicals associated with wastewater treatment processes;
- Assists with daily rounds of lift stations, booster stations, and reservoirs; measures and records flow, pressure, and chemical feed dosages; records gallons pumped and number of hours each system ran the previous day;
- Secures and transports hazardous chemicals to various facility locations and assists with the transport function by off-loading and loading hazardous chemicals for transport;
- Runs routine laboratory tests to determine proper chemical treatment;
- Maintains chemical feed pumps to ensure proper dosage of chemicals;
- Calibrates wastewater process equipment;
- Maintains and calibrates various electronic and mechanical equipment;
- Collects various wastewater samples for laboratory analysis and performs routine and complex wastewater quality analysis;
- Collects representative wastewater samples to be used by other agencies for wastewater analysis testing for regulation compliance;
- Assists with the collection of all wastewater compliance samples as required by the NMED;
- Conducts wastewater analysis tests to ensure safety and quality by collecting representative wastewater samples and testing for contaminants and properties associated with wastewater treatment processes;
- Assists in the development and implementation of appropriate operator training programs and conducts classes to improve operator knowledge, skills, and abilities;
- Provides on-the-job training to less experienced employees as assigned; may be called upon to provide functional supervision on a project basis as needed;
- Guides and explains operations to visiting groups;
- Assists other divisions during emergencies or as may be required to maintain quality service to customers;
- Drives a City vehicle in the performance of duties;
- Contributes to a high-quality work culture through participation in training and mentoring to develop skills, including safety related training and skills;
- Interacts professionally and provides excellent customer service to all levels of City staff and citizens, to ensure high operational and service standards; and
- Performs duties in accordance with the Employee Manual, Department Policies and Procedures, City of Alamogordo Ordinances, and any applicable State or Federal authority.
OTHER IMPORTANT DUTIES
- Must obtain and maintain all licenses, certifications, and safety training necessary to safely perform assigned duties and comply with applicable laws, regulations, and department policies. This includes, but is not limited to, OSHA safety training, equipment operation certification, confined space entry, lockout/tagout, personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, and any job-specific compliance requirements;
- Provides on-the-job training to less experienced personnel as assigned;
- May be called upon to provide functional oversight at worksites;
- Required to perform on-call rotation duties outside of normal work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays;
- Non-traditional work hours are necessary during evenings, weekends, and holidays to prevent or reduce the disruption of wastewater services to customers;
- Maintains the confidentiality of information obtained during the performance of duties; and
- Performs such other duties as may be assigned.
Position : 81340001
Code : 260049-2
Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL
Location : WASTEWATER RECLAMATION STAFF
Job Family : UTILITIES - MAINTENANCE/PLANTS
Job Class : WASTEWATER OPERATOR III
Posting Start : 09/25/2026
Posting End : 10/09/2026
MAXIMUM HOURLY RATE: $30.00
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