Hydroelectric Operations Specialist

*Up to $3,000 Sign On Bonus May Be Available*

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. The application must be filled out completely; stating"see resume"anywhere in the application, is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

Enjoy Industry Leading Benefits:

• Generous paid vacation and extended sick leave, holidays, and flexible work arrangements.
• Free and discounted transportation options to get around Aspen and the Valley.
• Professional development and learning opportunities, including a tuition reimbursement program.
• Health and wellbeing options that include Medical, Dental, Vision, robust and accessible employee assistance program, and nationally recognized wellbeing platform.
• Monetary bonuses for healthy lifestyle choices and to use towards other personal needs.
• Plan for your future with competitive employer contributions to a 401a retirement plans and Social Security, in addition to an individual 457b retirement plan and Roth IRA option. Have peace of mind with life and disability insurance.

The City of Aspen is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Title: Hydroelectric Operations Specialist
Department: Utilities
Classification: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range: $35.92/hour - $40.42/hour
Salary Range: $35.92/hour - $53.89/hour

Position Summary: Operates and maintains the hydroelectric plants, raw water systems and associated facilities consistent with the organization's values and mission statement.

Supervision Exercised and Received: Works under the direct supervision of the Water Resource & Hydroelectric Supervisor.

Essential Job Functions:

Hydroelectric and Raw Water Operations

* Performs operational responsibilities in hydroelectric plants, raw water systems and water campus, and assists in the daily operation of water campus and facilities. Operates hydroelectric plants in an efficient manner, coordinating water plant operation and hydro operations with availability of City of Aspen water rights and ensures operational priorities are followed. Responds to system malfunctions and takes corrective action to restore and maintain hydroelectric production. Operates City of Aspen's reservoir, raw water ditch and piped systems. Performs the standard operating procedures for start-up, summer operations and shutdown of raw water ditch and piped systems. Performs in-stream flow reads and uses in-stream flow meter to calibrate existing water measuring structures. Responds to and corrects operational problems with raw water systems in a safe and timely manner. Operates facilities in a clean and professional manner.

Maintenance

* Performs all maintenance activities as it relates to the City's hydroelectric plants, raw water systems and water campus facilities. Performs daily visual inspections of all electrical, mechanical and piped systems of the City's hydroelectric plants. Develops new and maintains existing short-term, long-term and annual maintenance programs for turbines, pumps, motors, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, valves, air/vacuum reliefs, pressure regulating valves, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, and appurtenant facilities for the City's hydroelectric plant.

* Installs, calibrates and troubleshoots sensitive electronic transmitters, receivers and sensors as it relates to relay logic and SCADA systems. Identifies hydroelectric operations system improvements for better efficiencies. Performs maintenance and improvements to raw water system infrastructure to include; ditches, sprinkler systems, piping, valves, air/vacuum reliefs, pressure regulating valves, head gates, diversion structures, Parshall flume, weirs, reservoirs and ponds.

* Performs duties related to the cleanliness, security, personnel safety and visual appearance of the water campus. Responsibilities to include; grass cutting, weed eating, weed management, landscaping, snow removal, trash and general cleanup. Operates excavation equipment, snow removal equipment, metal detectors, multi- meters, vernier calipers, torque wrenches, laser levels, flow meters and all other tools and equipment associated with maintaining these types of facilities. Performs maintenance and cleaning duties to keep equipment and work areas clean and safe.

Administration

* Performs administrative duties as it relates to the operation and maintenance of the City's hydroelectric plants, raw water systems and water campus facilities. Performs and documents daily hydroelectric operational checks in written and electronic formats. Creates new and maintains existing logbooks for all maintenance programs, annual maintenance periods and downtime associated to the hydroelectric plants.

* Maintains a technical library to include tech manuals, mechanical drawings, electrical drawings and spare parts inventory list. Cross references and replaces old and out dated components with new and serviceable equipment. Documents, organizes and submits required information to satisfy all permitting and licensing requirements by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Colorado Division of Water Resources, Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corp of Engineers as it relates to hydroelectric plants, reservoirs and diversion structures. This includes maintaining emergency action plans, conducting round table exercises, responding/ filing correspondence and staying current with all governing agencies permit and licensing regulations.

* Acquires, organizes and documents all raw water diversion records for the city of aspens raw water portfolio. Submits all raw water diversion records to the Colorado Division of Water Resources in proper format. Maintains a historical record of cities use of water outside of requirements from the state. Assists the Water Resource Facility Manager in administering new raw water agreements for customers. Administrative duties as required when related to water campus facilities.

Customer Service

* Answers telephone and responds to public inquiry and comments. Accepts complaints and notifies appropriate personnel.

Safety

* Consistently uses the safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) provided by the City, as well as leverages training and their knowledge, skills and abilities to employ safe and essential work practices. For work sites under their control, ensures that those present at the work site utilize the necessary PPE and they are advised of the work hazards and necessary safety measures and work requirements. Position may require removal of snow and ice from walkways, parking lots, roofs, and vehicles, including general safety inspection of snow-prone areas.

City Organizational Values
* Supports and models the City of Aspen organizational values: Service, Partnership, Stewardship, and Innovation. Organizational values are shared principles that guide behavior across the organization. This position is responsible for upholding and applying these values while performing daily work functions.
Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies: Displays the following key competencies in the overall job performance to include knowledge, skills and abilities with guidance as needed:
* Service: Provides service with excellence, humility, integrity, and respect in daily work, builds trust by listening, treats people with respect, acknowledges opportunities for improvement, and follows through with commitments.
* Partnership: Actively creates strong, supportive internal and external relationships to attain a common goal and achieve greater impact together.
* Stewardship: Balances social, environmental, and financial responsibilities, evaluating the impact of decision making on a thriving future for all.
* Innovation: Develops technical expertise to pursue new ideas and creative outcomes, grounded in Aspen's unique culture, opportunities, and challenges.
* Communication: Knowledge of effective and appropriate communication. Ability to use knowledge effectively in various contexts which may require oral, written, visual and non-verbal communication.
* Interpersonal: Works to develop strength in interpersonal skills. Has the ability to work well with diverse groups of people, both inside and outside the organization.
* Technology: Demonstrates technology skills sufficient for the nature and level of position. Demonstrates a willingness to learn new technologies and transition job duties accordingly to support technological advances and innovation.
* Equipment Operation: Can safely use equipment, materials, methods, and tools involved in the maintenance and or repair of raw water systems and hydroelectric plants related appurtenances.

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience: Four (4) years of experience required in hydroelectric operations and water management, have demonstrated mechanical ability through familiarity in electrical and mechanical systems that support power production and water management.
• Technical Knowledge: Must be proficient in Windows based operating systems and software, PLC, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook (Email). Must have a basic understanding of computers and online computer-based technology applications, which includes accessing web-based platforms.
• Licenses & Certifications: Must possess a valid Colorado driver's license or be able to obtain one within 30 days of start date. Recommend additional hydroelectric training and coursework with 24 months. Additional training and certifications maybe required at the direction of the city.
  

NOTE: Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required abilities, knowledge, and skills as determined by the City of Aspen may be substituted for the requirements above.

Preferred Candidate: Ability to read and understand blueprints and electrical one-line schematics for installations and to troubleshoot electrical systems. Strong mechanical background.

NOTE: This position requires a physical examination and Criminal Background Check upon hire. Employment is contingent upon passing both a physical examination and Criminal Background Check.

Position Type and Work Hours:

* Monday through Friday, hours may vary with workload.
* Evenings/Weekends/Holidays may be required in addition to or instead of normal hours.
* May be required to be available for stand by duties as defined by City of Aspen policy.
* Standby: Required to perform periodic stand-by duty and must be immediately available for 24-hour alarm response on a rotating schedule, every three weeks, as it relates to power production and water management responsibilities.
* A non-exempt employee assigned to standby duty shall be compensated for the off-duty assignment at a rate of one-hour regular pay for every weekday duty and two hours regular pay for every weekend duty over and above the normal work week hours.

Work Environment:
* Indoors: Water facility, Hydroelectric plants and Office environment.
* Outdoors/Off-Site: Water Resource operation sites (reservoirs, pipelines, diversion structures, ponds, water measuring sites etc.) Hydroelectric plants. Position requires removal of snow and ice from walkways, parking lots, roofs, and vehicles.
* Exposure: Will work in an industrial hydroelectric and water resource facility environment. Daily exposure to industrial machinery with high noise levels and high voltage. This position will be working with hazardous, potentially lethal, chemicals and materials. The work environment (indoor/outdoor) may, at times, be noisy, dusty, dirty, and oily. Snowy, icy, and wet conditions.

Physical Demands:
Visual Acuity: Ability to bring objects into focus.
Balancing: Maintaining equilibrium.
Bending: Bending or position oneself to move an object from one level to another.
Carrying: transporting or moving an object from one level to another.
Crouching: Bending body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
Climbing: Ascending or descending stationary objects.
Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination: Performing work through using two or more body parts or other devices.
Gripping/Grasping: Ability to apply pressure with fingers and palm.
Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, through use of hands, fingers, or other means.
Hearing: Perceiving and comprehending the nature and direction of sounds.
Kneeling: Bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee or knees
Lifting: Moving objects and equipment, etc. up to 100 lb., unassisted
Pushing/Pulling: Ability to use upper extremities to exert force in order to press, draw, drag or haul objects in a sustained motion.
Reaching: Extending the hands and arms or other device in any direction.
Repetitive motions: Making frequent or continuous movements.
Sitting: Remaining in a stationary position.
Standing: Ability to sustain position for a period of time.
Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
Talking: Communicating ideas or exchanging information.
Walking: Ability to move to traverse from one location to another.

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.
This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Duties and responsibilities are subject to change as long as within a reasonable scope of the job.