Collections Technician

Collections Technician

The Sewer Department seeks a qualified candidate for the position of Collections Technician. The successful candidate will participate in the operation of all plant treatment processes under the direction of the Chief Plant Operator. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, operations, maintenance, laboratory analysis, septage receiving and process control under the direction of the Chief Plant Operator. Representative duties include, but are not limited to, operating pumps, valves, blowers, chemical feed pumps, sludge dewatering equipment, mechanical screening equipment and assisting the maintenance staff at two treatment facilities as well as remote pumping stations and collections systems under the direction of the Chief Plant Operator. Additional responsibilities involve entering into confined spaces to inspect sludge tanks, aeration basins, wet wells and clarifiers under direct supervision. Work may be performed in variable environmental and hazardous conditions requiring safety training and equipment.

This is a 40 hour per week AFSCME M-3 Union position. Hourly rate $34.03 (new hires) - $42.33 (employees with 12 years of service with the Town of Nantucket)

The Town of Nantucket offers a retirement pension through Barnstable County Retirement, 90% employer-sponsored health insurance plan options, and a diverse selection of supplemental insurance policies.

The Collections Technician is responsible for the maintenance and repair needs for Town waste water treatment facilities and sewer system as well as the process to dispose of wastewater sludge and related waste materials. Duties also include the operation of processing laboratory tests and operating pump and dewatering equipment.

Supervision Required: Under the general direction of the Chief Operator, the employee plans and carries out the regular work in accordance with standard practices and previous training, with substantial responsibility for determining the sequence and timing of planning work activities, including determining the work methods. The employee is expected to solve through experienced judgment most problems of detail or unusual situations by adapting methods or interpreting instructions to resolve the particular problem. Instructions for new assignments or special projects usually consist of statements of desired objectives, deadlines and priorities. Technical and policy problems or changes in procedures are discussed with supervisor, but ordinarily the employee plans the work, lays it out and carries it through to completion independently. Work is generally reviewed only for technical adequacy, appropriateness of actions or decisions, and conformance with policy or other requirements.

Supervisory Responsibility: The employee as a regular part of the position is not responsible for supervisor of other Town employees.

Confidentiality: The employee has regular access to department records in accordance with the State Public Records law.

Accountability: Consequences of errors or poor judgment may include missed deadlines, adverse public relations, labor/material costs, danger to public safety and personal injury.

Judgment: The employee has substantial responsibility involving the exercise of independent judgment in personnel administration. The work requires the employee to examine, analyze, and evaluate facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations and to determine appropriate actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include industry operational standards, which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Independent judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying complex federal, state, and local regulations.

Complexity: The work consists of the practical application of a variety of concepts, practices and specialized techniques relating to a professional or technical field. Assignments typically involve evaluation and interpretation of factors, conditions or unusual circumstances; inspecting, testing or evaluating compliance with established standards or criteria; gathering, analyzing and evaluating facts or data using specialized fact finding techniques; or determining the methods to accomplish the work.

Work Environment: The nature of duties may involve the continuous presence of unpleasant or irritating elements, such as considerable noise, odors, chemical fumes, dust, smoke, extreme heat/ cold temperatures, oil, dirt or grease. Work is continually performed outdoors, regardless of weather conditions. The employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to man-made or natural emergencies on a 24/7, 365 days per year basis.

Nature and Purpose of Public Contact: Relationships are primarily with co-workers and the public involving frequent explanation, discussion or interpretation of practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines in order to render service, plan or coordinate work efforts, or resolve operating problems. Other regular contacts are with service recipients and employees of outside organizations. More than ordinary courtesy, tact and diplomacy may be required to resolve complaints or deal with uncooperative or uninformed persons.

Occupational Risk: Essential functions regularly present potential risk of injury to the employee that could result in loss of time from work. Examples of personal injury include severe muscular strains from working with heavy materials or from operating department equipment. Special safety precautions, training and protective clothing such as gowns, coats, gloves, glasses, hard hats, or safety boots is required.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities/Functions

• Monitor plant processes regularly to insure efficient treatment operations to maintain compliance with regulatory agencies
• Interact with town staff and general public for community awareness of the plant operations and environmental impacts.
• Maintain Town wastewater treatment facilities, equipment, and resources while also determining the logistics, quantity and cost of supplies and materials in support of department projects.
• Participate in the department's snow and ice removal operations.
• Attend training sessions and seminars as required to keep abreast of updates or changes in occupational safety and wastewater treatment requirements in order to maintain required certifications and/or licenses.
• Prepare reports for the Chief Operator as requested to in both verbal and written format as required.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination equivalent to graduation from high school; three (3) years of experience as a wastewater treatment plant operator.

Special Requirements: Class D Driver's license (required at time of hire), Hoisting 2A, 1C or 1B and 4E Endorsements (required within one year of hire), CDL-B and Tankers Endorsement (required within two years of hire) The employee will be required to successfully complete a physical examination as a condition of employment.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of public works department operations including operating procedures. Knowledge of the geography of the Town including street layout and key landmarks

Abilities: Ability to understand and follow written and oral directions; ability to complete assigned work including use of equipment in a safe and efficient manner. Ability to complete assigned work in a safe and efficient manner often under adverse weather conditions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers. Ability to provide logistical support to other department personnel as required.

Skills: Proficient mechanical skill in the operation of hand and power tools and equipment required to perform position duties. Proficient oral and written communication skills.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position's essential functions.

Physical Demands: Work requires moderate to intermittent physical strength and effort on a daily basis, such as lifting, pulling, pushing trash containers and standing or walking for extended periods of time.

Motor Skills: Essential functions involve close hand and eye coordination and physical dexterity. Manipulation and motor control under adverse weather conditions which may require extreme accuracy to avoid damage to property or equipment. The manual skills required are comparable to those which might be needed to operate department equipment and Class B motor vehicles.

Visual Demands: Visual demands require the employee to rarely read documents and plans for general understanding. The employee is not required to determine color differences.