Program Management
· 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.
Onsite Assistance
· 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.
Training
· 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.
Other
· 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.
Skills/Qualifications
· 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.
Preferred Qualifications
· Backflow tester certified, or the ability to become certified within one year.
Benefits* Package Includes:
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.
* All benefits are subject to funding availability, restrictions as outlined in the Employee Manual, and are subject to change at any time.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $35.00 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 40 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Overtime
Application Question(s):
- Do you have experience operating a wastewater utility in cold weather environments?
License/Certification:
- or previously held Level 1+ Wastewater Operator Cert (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person