Utility Technician

Thompson-Nicola Regional District
Utility Technician

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District is located in south-central British Columbia, with dozens rural and urban communities spread across 44,300 square kilometres. The TNRD provides more than 120 local government services to approximately 144,000 people in 10 Electoral Areas, 11 member municipalities, and 25 First Nations.

The TNRD is headquartered in the City of Kamloops, the largest community within the regional district. The Thompson-Nicola region has a vast range of climates that experience true four-season weather, with plenty of year-round sunshine, little rain, and warm summers. Residents generally have short commutes, easy access to recreation and the outdoors, and a high quality of life. The TNRD acknowledges that we are located within the unceded, ancestral lands of the Nlaka’pumux, Secwépemc, St’at’imc, and Syilx Nations.

The Role:
Reporting to the Manager of Utility Services, the Utility Technician ensures adequate operation of all water/wastewater treatment and distribution/collection system equipment and facilities, including intake structures, tanks, pump stations, pumps, valve systems, chemical feed systems, process and water quality analyzers, monitoring equipment, and all other mechanical and non-mechanical equipment. This includes collection of routine water/wastewater samples per established schedule, regular inspections of the distribution/collection systems, turn-on and turn-offs of customer services, performing meter reads and responding to customer inquiries and complaints. The Utility Technician often works independently with limited supervision. This role requires the ability to be on standby and respond within 30 minutes to after-hours calls.

This is a full-time temporary vacancy until the end of December 2025 or upon the return of the incumbent. Two weeks' notice will be given should the term be extended or shortened.

Primary Duties of the Role include:

• Operation of all water/wastewater treatment and distribution/collection system equipment and facilities
• Assisting with and/or performing the repair and maintenance of underground works, including, but not limited to, water and wastewater service locates and installation, mainline valve repair/replacement and manhole sealing
• General maintenance of the grounds, facilities and services including, but not limited to, lighting, painting, carpentry, plumbing, weed/grass control, and snow removal
• Performing routine corrective and preventive maintenance according to established maintenance program, including:
  • Monthly generator tests & maintenance
  • Quarterly pump lubrication & maintenance
  • Annual system flushing, hydrant inspections & maintenance
  • Annual electrical inspections (coordination of external contractor)
• Responding to emergent system breakdowns, identifying immediate need and implementing appropriate action to restore service
• Responsible for shop inventory and control, performing general shop clean-up and other duties as required

Job Requirements
Required Education and Experience

• Level 1 Operator Certification in three of the following: Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection; an equivalent combination of certification may be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years’ recent, related experience
• Valid First Aid Certificate
• Valid Class 5 Drivers Licence
• Advanced knowledge of distribution/collection system cleaning and flushing practices
• Advanced knowledge of safe work practices and procedures
• Intermediate knowledge of water and wastewater sampling procedures, installation and repair of water & wastewater mains/valves/services, leak detection and line locating practices, pump and valve operation and maintenance practices, and corrective and preventive maintenance procedures
• Solid understanding of water and wastewater analyses procedures, electrical & instrumentation system principles, hydraulic and pneumatic principles and chemical handling and storage

Required Skills and Abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships
• Ability to understand and execute verbal and written instructions, read blueprints, and interpret plans and specifications
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to discuss simple issues with experts
• Proven experience working in a computerized environment including SCADA systems and with mobile applications
• Ability to use a wide variety of mechanical tools and equipment used in the operation, maintenance, installation and repair of water and wastewater systems including precision work with a low tolerance for error
• Must be medically and physically able to perform all duties of this position on an ongoing basis, for example:
  • Maneuver 35 kg - 65 kg valves within a restricted workspace (trench)
  • Manually push/pull/lift pipes/valves/fittings weighing up to 65 kg (e.g. hydrant repairs)
  • Perform manual tasks at heights and in confined spaces (e.g. torque fasteners)
  
  

The following qualifications are considered an asset:

• Completion of Hydrant Maintenance and Confined Space Entry training
• Compact Excavator, Skid Steer and Forklift operation
• Ground Disturbance Level II, TCP Certification Class 3 Drivers License

This position falls under the provisions of the Collective Agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 900. The placement of the Utility Technician is at Pay Grade 6, which is $2,464.18 - $2,826.53/biweekly OR $35.20 - $40.38 per hour.

Applications must include a cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications and experience. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and will be accepted until 23:00 PST on the closing date of the competition. While we appreciate the interest of applicants, only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.

Thank you for considering the Thompson-Nicola Regional District as a place to share your talents! Careers - Thompson-Nicola Regional District