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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Resources Specialist II Feb. 2026 City of Port Townsend Job Description Water Resources Specialist II Classification title: Operator II Working title: Water Resources Specialist II Department: Public Works – Water Resources Union: Teamsters General Government FLSA status: Non-exempt Wage Classification: 21 Hours: 40 Effective date: Feb. 2026 Reports to: Operations Manager – Water Resources or designee Civil Service: No JOB SUMMARY Under general supervision, works directly with the Water Resources Operations Manager or designee with a primary focus on supporting capital projects and operations of the Olympic Gravity Water System (OGWS) with occasional support of other water resource related work. Secondarily, this position performs operation and maintenance of the City’s potable water treatment system and performs a variety of maintenance and repair work to the City’s water distribution system. This position provides versatile work associated with raw water supply, water treatment, and water distribution with a focus on raw water supply. The City of Port Townsend strives to provide a quality reliable infrastructure looking toward a sustainable future. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Employee shall meet all requirements of groups A, B, and C, 9 of group D, and 4 of group E of the Core Competencies, and the tasks described in these select competencies are considered part of the essential functions for Water Resources Specialist II. • Participates as a member of the Public Works team to operate, maintain, and repair the City’s water system from the source to customer meter in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulatory standards. • Performs maintenance and repairs of the Olympic Gravity Water System. • Supports and is part of the City team performing oversight of raw water system contractor(s) or in-house operators as QA/QC in compliance with O&M manuals and contracts. • Facilitates coordinated efforts between City crews and contractors (such as the Paper Mill). • Maintains records, and documents communications with contractors to demonstrate compliance with city, state, and federal requirements. • Patrols and inspects all parts of the municipal watershed, water sources, transmission facilities, and storage facilities. • Conducts tours of the OGWS and Water Treatment facilities. • Project Coordination and Inspection o Serves as the on-site inspector and/or owner’s representative for Capital Water Projects, ensuring contractors adhere to City of Port Townsend standards, technical specifications, and approved plans. o Prepares detailed Daily Inspection Reports (DIRs) with photo logs. Tracks and verifies “as-built” drawings in redline format during construction. Water Resources Specialist II o Works with consulting engineers and other professionals to address highly technical work. o Provides contract administration support, assisting the Project Manager in processing Requests for Information (RFIs), reviewing submittals, tracking material quantities for pay estimates, and drafting change orders. o Acts as the primary field contact (stakeholder liaison) for residents and business owners impacted by construction, handling complaints and notifications with professionalism. • Water Distribution Operations and Fieldwork o Safely operates heavy machinery to perform exploratory excavations, potholing, and site preparation. o Operates hand tools such as cutoff saws, compactors, jackhammers, etc., as qualified. o Physically exposes buried infrastructure to assess material condition, pipe diameter, and alignment to inform future design work. o Performs physical tasks including shoveling, pipe fitting, lifting heavy materials, working in trenches, and working at heights up to 100 feet. o Sets up and maintains traffic control zones (flagging/signage) in accordance with MUTCD standards. Ensures job site safety compliance (trenching/shoring regulations). o Assists the Water Distribution crew during main breaks, severe weather events, or other emergencies as needed. o Performs small construction projects including pipe installation and replacement. o Assists with underground utility work, performing customer service for meter reading, leak repair, and installation of taps and meters. • Water Treatment o Conducts water quality sampling. o Collects, compiles, analyzes, and interprets water quality, source water, and operational data and produce reports. o Maintains and calibrates pumps, analyzers, sensors, and other equipment associated with water treatment and monitoring. o Operates and troubleshoots Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer systems and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). o Performs routine maintenance of water treatment facility buildings, booster pump stations, reservoirs, telemetry, SCADA, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems and equipment. o Assists in the operation and maintenance of the golf course well. o Responds to customer water quality concerns and after-hours emergencies. o Troubleshoots water system problems and make repairs. o Assists with equipment preventive maintenance program in coordination with the Fleet division. CORE COMPETENCIES: To show competency for these skills, the employee must have worked in an equivalent position for another agency or worked for the City for a minimum of one year demonstrating the skills for this position. The groups below provide a list of competencies for career path development. Group A Competencies • Provides essential services as a front-line worker • Works well in a team environment • Shows the ability to effectively interact with the public • Demonstrates safe work practices • Supports cross-team functionality and collaboration with other divisions and departments Water Resources Specialist II • Supports the division with laborer work • Effective and efficient communication with team members, managers, other departments, contractors, consultants, USFS staff, partner agencies, and regulatory agencies, both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy to convey instructions, provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues • Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people • Maintains cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, peers, management, contractors, and customers • Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, or variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness Group B Competencies (entry level) • Current flagging card • Basic operation of hand tools and power equipment (electric, pneumatic, and gas powered) such as grinders, impact wrenches, mowers, trimmers, chainsaw, pumps, and other tools • Basic knowledge of water treatment plant operational principles • Basic knowledge of water treatment regulations and compliance requirements • Performs custodial maintenance of facilities • Performs grounds maintenance of facilities • Ability to use computer and programs for resource tracking and water works related software • Ability to use City GIS maps to locate water, and collect data for asset management • After a minimum of 6 months of experience is available to be added to the stand-by rotation calendar • CDL Class A with N endorsement or ability to obtain within 18 months in the position • Ability to perform meter reading and use reading equipment • Performs leak detection and repair • Assists in performing service mainline taps • Assists with mainline hot-taps • Provides labor for install of meters and in the performance of pipe laying work associated with waterworks operations and construction Group C Competencies (mechanical and technical skills) • Proficient use of Microsoft Word and Excel computer applications • Proficient operation of hand and power tools to perform routine maintenance and repair of pumps, motors, compressors, blowers, chemical injection systems, and other equipment associated with the water treatment facility • Proficient operations of power equipment such as cutoff saw, wrenches, compaction equipment, concrete saws, and other tools necessary to perform the work • Knowledge of and ability to operate laboratory equipment at the water treatment facility laboratory • Knowledge of electrical, mechanical, construction, and plumbing repairs • General knowledge of EPA, Department of Ecology, and WA Department of Health regulations pertaining to water rights, water treatment, and water quality • Ability to provide general information to the public about the raw water system and water treatment facility • Ability to perform routine safe handling of all chemicals involved in water treatment operations and laboratory work • Ability to accurately collect, record, and store data in physical and digital formats. Water Resources Specialist II • Ability to utilize work management/preventative maintenance software • Ability to identify water treatment process problems • Ability to perform water quality testing • Knowledge of compaction principles • Ability to operate the vactor truck to perform hydro excavation • Ability to repair water leaks • Ability to perform service line and mainline hot taps • Ability to test and replace meters • Ability to operate pushing machine • Ability to operate heavy construction equipment relevant to assigned work • Ability to operate GPS equipment for asset inventories and mapping • Ability to perform hydrant, valve, and meter maintenance • Ability to perform inspection and monitoring of contractors including proper documentation • Ability to interpret operations manuals and implement standard operating procedures Group D Competencies (division specific skills) • Demonstrates knowledge of water treatment process in a membrane filtration water treatment plant • Demonstrates knowledge and operation, repair, and troubleshooting of sodium hypochlorite injection systems • Demonstrates ability to independently operate the City’s water treatment facility for routine operations. • Ability to analyze and interpret water quality/treatment monitoring data • Ability to set, adjust, and maintain automatic control valves and hydraulic control valves (Cla- Val) • Fills out daily work orders and ability to run reports. • Ability to serve as a backup to the Crew Chief or Crew Chief Apprentice when not available • Ability to oversee periodic water quality testing • Demonstrates experience troubleshooting and solving water treatment and water distribution system operational problems • Certified Backflow Assembly Tester (serves as back up for City facilities) • Ability to operate and troubleshoot programmable logic controllers • Ability to research and procure specialized equipment, tools, and services associated with the raw water system. • Ability to perform and oversee instrument calibration • Demonstrates expertise in pump station equipment maintenance practices • Demonstrates solution-oriented problem solving in water treatment and distribution • Cross connection control certification • Licensed Journey Level Electrician able to work with 480 v power • Certified Welder • Ability to develop and write operations manuals and standard operating procedures • Bachelor’s degree in Physical Science, Geology, Ecology, Biology, Forestry, Math, Engineering, English or related field • Reads, understands, and develops operating manuals for specific Water Treatment Facility equipment and processes • Serves as liaison to the engineering division • Demonstrates ability to share skills and train team members Water Resources Specialist II • Ability to process GIS information and perform analysis of assets as well as use software to produce maps and informational materials for City staff and the public • Ability to lead installation of service lines, taps, hydrants, and mainline hot taps • Pipe laying specialist (knowledge of pipe materials characteristics, repair methods, and challenges with various types of pipes) • Ability to perform project staking, layout, and quantity calculations • Ability to lead and set up construction zone safety • Traffic Control Supervisor certification • Ability to perform and oversee water disinfection, flushing, water quality testing, and pressure testing. • Compaction specialist including the ability to test and ensure soil compaction is achieved • Certified Sediment and Erosion Control Lead (CESCL) Group E Competencies (leadership skills – included to show skills needed for advancement) • Skilled in cost analysis and budget development • Understands and implements the City’s purchasing policy and procedures manual • Ability to review operations and recommend improvements • Oversees operational data to ensure proper and efficient function of the water treatment processes • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with City staff, regulatory agencies, OGWS maintenance contractor, and partner agencies such as United States Forest Service, Jefferson PUD, Jefferson County, etc. • Assists management in formulating written policies and procedures • Coordinates with other City departments and Public Works divisions • Serves as a liaison to the management team • Ability to research property records and interpret easements • Provides manager with recommendations and/or input regarding hiring and employee reviews • Inspects work performed by crew for compliance with standards • Provides mentoring and training to team members • Ability to communicate technical elements of the work with the public • Highly effective in communication with team members, public, management, and peers • Demonstrates assertive management skills in fairly addressing issues with peers, the public, management, and other City employees • Ability to lead, motivate, and inspire crew members to achieve performance goals and maintain high standards of quality and efficiency • Understands and responds to the needs and concerns of team members, demonstrating consideration for their perspectives, experiences and well-being • Skilled in resolving conflicts or disagreements that may arise among team members and customers, using diplomacy, and productive problem-solving techniques • Efficiently manages time and resources to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and optimize productivity, while ensuring the safety and quality of work performed by the crew • Assists in the development of and/or maintains a preventative maintenance program • Maintains reports and other documents pertaining to purchases, contracted services, and other operational needs • Operates various computer programs regularly including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Work management software Water Resources Specialist II QUALIFICATIONS Required • Water Treatment Plant Operator 2 or higher certification • Water Distribution Manager 2 or higher certification • Cross Connection Control Certification • Graduation from high school or G.E.D. • Valid Washington State Driver’s license and ability to maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class “A” with “N” endorsement or ability to obtain within 18 months in the position • First Aid/CPR certification • Traffic Control and Flagging certification Preferred • Water Treatment Plant Operator 3 or higher certification • Water Distribution Manager 3 or higher certification • Bachelor’s degree in Physical Science, Geology, Ecology, Biology, Forestry, Math, Engineering, English, or related field. WORKING CONDITIONS This position requires being onsite working in an office setting, at the Water Treatment Facility, and outdoors in the field. Field work occurs during all types of weather and includes repeated walking, bending, stooping and lifting; the ability to occasionally lift up to 60 lbs.; vision and hearing at level required to perform essential functions (may be corrected); and a full range of motor skills. This position may require working in confined spaces and climbing and working at heights up to 100 feet. 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 essential functions. The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job- related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation (including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisors. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.