Position Information

Posting Title Austin Energy Utility Chemist II - Power Plant

Job Requisition Number AE503831

Position Number 100111

Job Type Full-Time

Division Name Power Production

Minimum Qualifications

Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental or Natural Science or related field, plus two (2) years of related experience.

• One (1) additional year of experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education with a maximum substitution of two (2) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License.

  Notes to Applicants

This position is responsible for water chemistry, chemical applications, and the operation and maintenance of chemical delivery systems. This position also is responsible for chemical inventory and ordering/receiving chemicals. This position is responsible for chemical contractor oversight. This position performs specialized chemical analyses on samples to support environmental compliance for electric generating facilities. Calibrates sensors, controllers, and meters. Performs chemical testing. Reads gauges and meters. Monitors operation of equipment and machinery in work area. Works holidays weekends and emergency’s as need to support the plant.

This is position is categorized as essential personnel with the City of Austin. Essential staff are required to work during emergencies or bad weather if they are scheduled to work and in some cases when they are not scheduled. Essential employees ensure the continuance of key operations for the City of Austin. Employee may be required to work additional hours outside of regular work schedule.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE (http://www.austintexas.gov/department/active-employee-benefits) for more information.

WHEN COMPLETING THE CITY OF AUSTIN APPLICATION :

The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered. Please be sure that your application is a reflection of your entire work history. A detailed and complete employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Describe your specific experience for each position. Include all job duties, responsibilities, and employment dates. Please be sure that your application is a reflection of your entire work history.

Resumes will not be accepted. Statements such as “see resume” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your employment application. Supplemental information or changes to your application will not be accepted after the job posting closes.

The responses to the supplemental questions must reference the employment history listed in the employment history section. Once the requisition has closed, the application cannot be changed to update work history, supplemental questions, or any other information.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate, and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.

If you have any questions regarding your City of Austin employment application, please use the official website of the City of Austin as reference. www.austintexas.gov.

This position requires a criminal background investigation.

Driving Requirement:

This position requires a valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License or the ability to acquire by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite (https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Employment/new_hire_driver_safety_standards.pdf) . To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

Pay Range

$28.29 – $34.80

Hours

Monday through Friday

7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

This position is not eligible for remote work.

Work outside of the normal schedule (multiple shifts, weekends, holidays) will be required to support plant operations / projects.

Job Close Date 10/08/2024

Type of Posting External

Department Austin Energy

Regular/Temporary Regular

Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable

Category Technical

Location Sand Hill Energy Center, 1101 Falwell Ln., Del Valle, TX

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working in a heavy industrial environment.

• Knowledge and/or experience operating Reverse Osmosis water treatment equipment.

• Experience developing, implementing and maintaining standard chemistry operating procedures.

• Knowledge of working safely with hazardous chemicals.

• Experience working with water boiler chemistry.

• Experience or knowledge in operation of a raw water clarifier unit

• Experience working with open and closed loop cooling systems including Cooling Towers.

  Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Performs specialized chemical analyses on samples to support environmental compliance for electric generating facilities, electric service delivery, and remediation projects.

• Evaluates samples to determine appropriate analysis and/or methodology.

• Maintains, troubleshoots and calibrates equipment and/or sterilizes equipment.

• Collects and analyzes samples from power plant machinery in accordance with established preventative maintenance programs.

• Operates, maintains and troubleshoots water treatment systems for the production of ultra-pure water, and closed loop cooling water systems and cooling towers.

• Supports the startups of steam generation units insuring water production and boiler chemistry are within acceptable criteria to bring a power plant unit on line and achieve full pressure release.

• Supports engineering and power plant facilities monitors, treats, prevents and removes biological and chemical fouling of water treatment systems condensers and cooling towers.

• Develops and applies enhanced Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures as appropriate to improve the quality of the results.

• Performs laboratory tasks in accordance with laboratory standards documented in Quality Manual.

• Verifies, interprets and/or approves data and develops reports.

• Complies with applicable regulatory standards, policies, codes, regulations and industry and organizational safety guidelines.

• Develops, implements, and maintains standard operating procedures.

• Coordinates and/or assists in coordinating projects.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of local, state and federal law and city ordinances.

• Knowledge of the electric utility business.

• Knowledge of water quality analysis and operational / industry safety guidelines.

• Knowledge of chemical principles and methods.

• Knowledge of power plant lock out/tag out ( LOTO ) procedures.

• Knowledge of safely working with hazardous chemicals.

• Skill in oral and written communications.

• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.

• Skill in collecting, analyzing and interpreting applicable research data.

• Skill using appropriate mathematics for chemical analysis.

• Ability to use appropriate database system to track lab information.

• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.

• Ability to troubleshoot, maintain and repair various analytical instrumentation.

• Ability to work in an industrial facility.

• Ability to climb, crawl, crouch or assume other non-sitting positions to take samples, check equipment and chemical tank levels, and replace and repair equipment.

  Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation.

  EEO/ADA

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • The minimum qualifications of this position are a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental or Natural Science or related field, plus two (2) years of related experience. One (1) additional year of experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education with a maximum substitution of two (2) years. Do you meet these requirements?

• Yes

• No

• • Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications referenced above. Detail how you meet the educational requirements (if applicable), account for the years of related experience (if applicable), and explain any substitutions of experience for education, or vice-versa (if applicable).

(Open Ended Question)

• • This position is classified as an "essential" position. The candidate must be able to work during emergencies or bad weather if they are scheduled to work and, in some cases, when they are not scheduled. Shifts may change according to departmental needs. Are you able to meet these schedule requirements?

• Yes

• No

• • This position requires a valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License or the ability to acquire by your date of hire. Do you have a valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License or if selected for this position the ability to acquire by your date of hire.

• Yes

• No

• • The City of Austin Driver Safety Program requires that applicants have a current driving record with no more than six (6) Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) points. Please indicate if you have reviewed the City of Austin Driver Safety Program standards (link provided in the "Notes to Applicant" section), and indicate if you meet the requirements of the program, including a current driving record with no more than six (6) Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) points.

• Yes

• No

• • This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• Yes

• • This position requires continuous outdoor activity, frequent sitting, standing, walking, squatting, bending, twisting upper body, climbing, exposure to extreme heat, cold, inclement weather, noise, mechanical hazards, fume/odor/dust hazards, electrical hazards, occasional kneeling, crawling, carrying/lifting up to a minimum of 50lbs., client/ customer contact, and indoor activity. With or without reasonable accommodations, are you able to perform these duties and work under these conditions?

• Yes

• No

• • Describe you experience or knowledge in operation of a raw water clarifier unit.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Describe your experience with wet-chem tests (i.e. pH, phosphates, etc.).

(Open Ended Question)

• • Describe your experience working with open and closed loop cooling systems including Cooling Towers.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Describe your experience working in an industrial setting to support power plant boiler chemistry. Including startups, water production and discharge sampling.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Describe your experience with reverse osmosis systems.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Describe your knowledge of safely working with hazardous chemicals.

(Open Ended Question)

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents

Optional Documents

Contact City of Austin Employment Services

Office: 512-978-JOBS (5627)

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