Wastewater Technical Assistance & Training Specialist

$62,400 - $72,800/Yr

Alaska Rural Water Association - Wasilla, AK

Full-time - Entry Level

Wasilla, AK

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Wastewater Technical Assistance & Training Specialist will provide essential support and training to rural and community wastewater systems across Alaska. This role involves program management, onsite assistance, and training coordination to ensure compliance with regulations and enhance the operational capabilities of wastewater systems. The specialist will also engage in outreach to promote training sessions and assist in the development of ARWA's mission and goals.

Responsibilities

• Submit travel plans in a timely manner to online travel calendar, and as needed when plans change.
• Produce and follow a yearly Operational Plan as required by NRWA.
• Visit a USDA Rural Development District office as required by NRWA.
• Produce and submit reports as required by ARWA and NRWA in established formats to meet required due dates.
• Provide ARWA office with accurate travel vouchers, timesheets, etc. by the required due dates.
• Keep all expenses within budget.
• Comply with all NRWA USDA Wastewater TAT program procedures and requirements.
• Provide monthly Board report of prior month's activity to Office Manager by third working day of each month in established format.
• Plan, coordinate, advertise, track registration, and print/mail certificates as needed for all wastewater training.
• Complete a minimum of 23 quality onsite contacts per month with eligible systems in accordance with NRWA requirements.
• Geographically travel the entire state as much as possible, coordinating with other program staff to minimize duplicate visits.
• Contact as many new systems as possible during any given contract year and solicit new members.
• Coordinate technical assistance activity with other ARWA staff.
• Properly prioritize technical requests according to need.
• Focus on training, rather than 'fixing,' when conducting onsite technical assistance.
• Organize and implement wastewater training sessions per program year; coordinate with EPA Training Coordinator/Office Manager.
• Use ARWA equipment in a professional manner, following all required asset management requirements.
• Adhere to OSHA/AKOSHA procedures at all times.
• Plan travel as efficiently as possible to minimize expense, including overtime, and maximize geographic coverage.
• Introduce new wastewater training regularly to meet system needs, requests, requirements, and to stimulate new attendance.
• Attend training sessions conducted by ARWA, as time and work load permit.
• Promote attendance to all ARWA training sessions and conferences.
• Assist in ARWA conference agenda development/implementation and securing speakers and vendors.
• Attend and actively participate in ARWA conference(s).
• Attend NRWA In-Service training and Annual WaterPro Conference as required.
• Continually strive to improve training skills and knowledge of the wastewater field.
• Promote and support ARWA's mission and goals at all times; show initiative and creativity in furthering the mission and goals.
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings and all other meetings as required.
• Write articles for ARWA magazine and others as required or requested and submit by established due dates.
• Assist with membership development and retention.
• Project a friendly, helpful, positive attitude to the public and fellow employees.
• Project a professional appearance and attitude at all times.
• Must be a team player.
• Provide safe and reliable transportation; personal vehicle to have insurance in accordance with ARWA policies and state laws at all times.
• Maintain Alaska driver's license in accordance with state law.
• Adhere to all ARWA Employee Manual, policies, and procedures.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Multi-year employment required (5 years minimum preferred) in working for, operating, maintaining, or managing a rural/community water/wastewater system with an ADEC Level 1 or higher certification for wastewater collection and/or treatment (or other state equivalent).
• A well-rounded technical knowledge of operating, maintaining, and managing a rural/community wastewater system.
• An understanding of budget/financial conditions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally, and in writing with operators, decision makers, regulatory agencies, and other professionals.
• Ability to identify, locate, and explain wastewater problems to field personnel and decision makers and provide suggestions for solutions.
• Knowledge and understanding of regulations, monitoring, and reporting requirements.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the state.
• Ability to coordinate and/or conduct wastewater training to diverse groups.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Experience with utilities in cold weather climates.

Nice-to-haves

• Backflow tester certified, or the ability to become certified within one year.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Professional development assistance
• Medical Insurance - ARWA pays 100% of the premium for employee - ARWA will pay 50% of the premium for employee's spouse/family - Payment-in-lieu-of health insurance of $1,200 per year available - Medical insurance includes vision, prescription, and dental coverage (currently through Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska) - Medical and vision have a $2,000 annual deductible per covered individual (for in-network providers) with ARWA reimbursing up to a maximum of $1,750 (after the first $250 is paid) and a $6,000 annual out-of-pocket maximum for individual coverage (for in-network providers) - Dental has a $2,000 maximum yearly benefit with co-pays ranging 0%-50%.
• Retirement - ARWA offers a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan - ARWA will match up to a 3% employee contribution - Employee can contribute more through payroll deductions, up to IRS limits
• Paid Leave (Eligible to use after six months of employment) - Employees accrue 3.70 hours of paid sick leave per pay period - Employees accrue 3.08 hours of paid vacation leave per pay period (increases in third year) - Nine paid holidays are observed with an additional three paid floating holidays per calendar year
• Employee Pay - ARWA pays bi-weekly on Fridays - Direct deposit is available
• Travel Expenses - ARWA pays for work-related travel expenses including airline tickets, rental cars, and lodging - Mileage and meal/incidental expense (M&IE) per diem is paid bi-weekly on Fridays (same day as regular pay days) - Employee is issued laptop, cell phone, and corporate credit card - Employees retain airline miles
• Additional Employee Benefits - ARWA pays for basic arctic gear (remains ARWA property) - Opportunities for professional development including additional certifications (sanitary survey, backflow testing, etc.) - ARWA pays for training and renewals to maintain Alaska Operator certifications - Flexibility with schedules, 4/10s available on a non-recurring basis - Relocation expenses up to $5,000 is available.