Water Production Operator Trainee

POSITION SUMMARY

Under general supervision, performs daily work assignments for the Water Production 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, Water Production Operator Trainee employees who have met the required qualifications for a Water Production Operator I position, are eligible for automatic promotion to the Water Production Operator I 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;
• Experience working in a construction and/or maintenance environment; and
• 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 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;
• OSHA-compliant Flagger certification; and
• Successful completion of NM811 training (Excavation Law Class).

Required within eighteen (18) months:

• Water Supply Level 1 (WS1) certification* issued by the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission.
• The NMED Utility Operator Certification Program determines minimum qualifications for a WS1 certification. Testing eligibility and renewal requirements are subject to change in accordance with the Program.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Duties

• Monitors, operates, and adjusts controls at a water treatment plant, pumping plants, wells, and reservoir facilities;
• Monitors, interprets, and adjusts computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) controls;
• Regulates pressures and flow rates in accordance with demand, storage, and production from other sources;
• Reads, records, interprets, and acts on information taken from computers, gauges, dials, and other instruments;
• Interprets all charts, trends, graphs, and test results;
• Participates in potable water production process controls, monitors equipment, and contributes to and maintains daily logs;
• Initiates timely reports or notices if unusual or emergency situations occur;
• Conducts operational inspections of potable water production equipment and facilities to locate and report needed repairs and maintenance;
• Inspects potable water production equipment and facilities to locate and report needed repairs and maintenance;
• Performs preventative maintenance; oils, greases, cleans, and otherwise service potable water production equipment; uses hand and power tools to remove, install, and make minor repairs, modifications, or additions to potable water production facilities;
• Reports and/or corrects unsafe working conditions;
• Controls the application of hazardous materials and chemicals associated with water treatment processes;
• Secures and transports hazardous chemicals to various facility locations and assists with the transport function by off-loading and loading hazardous chemicals for transport;
• Assists in the collection of various water samples for laboratory analysis and performs simple water quality analysis tests;
• Performs general potable water production facility upkeep such as sweeping, mopping, cleaning, sanding, and painting; performs general groundskeeping and housekeeping as required;
• Receives supplies delivered and ensures that they are properly stored; reports need for materials to Foreman or designee;
• Responds to service complaints; informs the customer of necessary actions;
• May participate in guiding tours and explaining operations to visiting groups;
• Assists in traffic control on worksites, as assigned;
• 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;
• Upon completion of the initial probationary period, 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 water services to customers;
• Maintains the confidentiality of information obtained during the performance of duties; and
• Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

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.

Position : 81510001

Code : 260079-1

Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL

Location : WATER PRODUCTION STAFF

Job Family : UTILITIES - MAINTENANCE/PLANTS

Job Class : WATER PRODUCTION OP TRAINEE

Posting Start : 05/26/2026

Posting End : 06/05/2026

MAXIMUM HOURLY RATE: $20.00