Apprentice Maintenance Mechanic

Position is open until Friday, August 15, 2025, at 4:30 PM EST

Primary Function:

This position is located at Public Utilities' Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Works throughout the Department under the direct supervision of more senior personnel assigned to train the apprentice to maintain and repair a wide variety of vehicles and/or gas, electric, water and sewer equipment.

This is a training position to fully qualify an individual as a Maintenance Mechanic assigned to a specific area, who must be able to fill-in for or assist mechanics in any and all areas of the department as needed to meet priorities and handle emergencies. Apprentices are limited to 36 months in the position to demonstrate the skills required of the Maintenance Mechanic position. If not recommended for promotion by the Promotion Panel prior to the expiration of the time limit, the apprentice will be assigned to another appropriate position, if available; otherwise the apprentice will be layed off with full lay off benefits.

Essential Job Functions:

In the course of training for Maintenance Mechanic, every apprentice performs the following duties with the necessary supervision to ensure learning and safety requirements are met:

• Maintains and troubleshoots pumps, boilers, hydro turbines, compressors gasoline, diesel engines, and alternative fuel vehicles as well as portable power equipment including, electric generators, power mowers, chain saws, and welders of all types.
• Operates various power and hand tools in testing and repairing defective mechanical and electronic equipment.
• Assists with transfer of Liquefied Natural Gas or Propane.
• Performs work on lathes, drill presses and milling machines.
• Maintains and troubleshoots electronic instrumentation equipment.
• Maintain and troubleshoot communication and SCADA systems.
• Updates maintenance records.

Apprentices hired for the Gas Production Assignment will also perform the following duties:

• Transfers Liquefied Natural Gas from transports to Gas Division tanks.
• Operates regulator station equipment and controls, odorizer systems, heaters, cathodic protection systems, and all related equipment.
• Maintains and operates valves, regulators, meters and other related equipment at NPU and customer facilities.
• Maintains compressed natural gas fueling stations.

Apprentices hired for the Electric Operations Assignment will also perform the following duties:

• Install operate and maintain electrical distribution, transmission and generation equipment wiring systems, transformers, switchgear, and circuit breakers at all voltages up to transmission level voltage.
• Perform protective relay testing and calibration, insulating oil testing, and filtering; maintain substation structures, motor operated disconnects and grounding switches, A.C. and D.C. control circuits, batteries, battery chargers and nitrogen systems.
• Perform maintenance and repairs of generators, exciters and auxiliary electrical equipment related to the operation of hydro-electric plants, gas turbine and other NPU facilities.
• Perform switching and tagging of electrical circuits under the direction of a switching coordinator.

Other Related Duties:

• Performs general building maintenance work, including janitorial duties, such as general carpentry, masonry, cleaning, plumbing and painting.
• Participates in setting group goal, assessing group accomplishments and providing feedback for continuous process improvement.
• Participates on Department-wide work teams and committees chartered to evaluate or improve processes and promote the overall goals of the Department.
• Works with management and fellow employees to identify and correct health and safety concerns.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• High School graduate or equivalent.
• A minimum of 4 years of technical course work and 2 years of experience or 4 years of experience in a maintenance mechanic or electrician position.
• If opening is for permanent final assignment to the garage, experience portion of these qualifications must be in automotive repair.
• If opening is for permanent final assignment to Gas Production, candidate must obtain Operator Qualifications assigned to the position within 18 months of hire, and maintain qualifications for the duration of employment in Gas Production.
• If opening is for permanent final assignment to electrical operations,
• Experience portion of these qualifications must be in utility or industrial electrical maintenance. The candidate must successfully complete the Substation Electrician Training Program (NEPPA, NU or other NPU approved program) within the 36-month period.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of standard practices, methods, tools, and materials used in the mechanical and electrical trades.
• Basic knowledge of electricity including, knowledge of the national electrical codes and the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the electrical trade and of work with voltage up to transmission levels.
• Willingness to work with natural gas, propane, water, wastewater, electricity and the chemicals required to treat these products.
• Demonstrated ability to work from one or more of the following: sketches, blue prints, wiring diagrams, and manuals.
• Ability to perform manual work requiring good physical condition.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Basic knowledge of the construction and operation of various types of motor vehicles and portable equipment such as pumps, generators, mowers, electric welders, and air compressors.
• Ability to learn and take safety precautions and follow procedures associated with the work preformed, including lock out/tag out procedures, confined space entry, use of ventilators, handling of hazardous materials and any other safety requirements that may be prescribed.
• Ability to operate under pressure and not get easily frustrated.
• Ability to instill confidence by responding to the customers and fellow employees in a prompt, respectful, courteous and informative manner.
• Ability to handle customer concerns calmly and effectively.
• Ability to utilize computer technology.
• Ability to operate vehicles with standard or automatic transmissions.
• Possess a valid State of Connecticut Drivers License.
• Considerable skill in the use of electrical testing equipment, instrumentation and controls

If eventual assignment is intended for Gas Production:

• Ability to operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair natural gas process equipment such as, but not limited to, regulators, odorizers, heaters, flow meters, pressure and temperature monitoring, cathodic protection systems, and associated electronic equipment.
• Ability to operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair liquified natural gas (LNG) plant process equipment.
• Ability to operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair compressed natural gas (CNG) equipment.

If eventual assignment is intended for Electrical Operations:

• Considerable understanding of the principles of electric theory as applied to electrical circuits and wiring systems and the ability to apply this knowledge to work problems.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands of this job are extensive and cannot be effectively summarized. They are described fully in the Functional Job Description. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Important Information

In order to be considered applicants must demonstrate on their application that they meet the minimum qualifications as stated in the job announcement.

You must reside within the City of Norwich 60 miles from Norwich within one year of appointment.

Examination will consist of 100% written OR 100% oral OR 100% experience and training.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Disclaimer

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.