Starting salaries are commensurate with education, experience, licenses, and knowledge.
At the Oklahoma Rural Water Association, we work to help our state’s water and wastewater systems protect public health and the environment, solve problems, and ensure sustainable operations. In achieving this goal, we’re committed to fostering a work environment for every teammate that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Come find your future with us.
We are currently accepting applications for a Program Specialist to join our elite team of professionals.
Job Summary:
A Program Specialist at ORWA performs a wide range of tasks, all geared towards improving the technical, managerial, and financial sustainability of the state’s water and wastewater systems. Sustainability Specialists provide trouble-shooting and technical assistance covering all aspects of system operation and management, as well as conducting formal training for system personnel.
Position Responsibilities:
Development and implementation of the following to water and wastewater systems:
Assessments of and improvements to technical, managerial, and financial capacity.
Rate studies, water loss audits, capacity development assessments, emergency response plans, asset management plans.
Business and management policies, standard operating procedures.
Budgeting and financial management.
Works cooperatively with state and federal agencies to ensure water systems comply with regulatory requirements, apply for infrastructure funding, and optimize water treatment and distribution.
Provides emergency response to water systems as needed and requested by water systems themselves and regulatory agencies.
Provides training and instruction to water system operators, management, and support staff, both on-site and at annual training events sponsored by ORWA or other organizations.
Provide timely technical assistance to water systems in the following areas: operations and maintenance, treatment, compliance, construction, loan application, financial management, security, risk assessment, emergency response, general management, and governing board training.
The SL Rat is a rapid assessment of the need for pipe cleaning. The SL Rat equipment is a much faster option for inspection of sewer lines compared to closed‐circuit television (CCTV) inspection systems. This acoustic based technology has the potential to provide information in a matter of minutes to assist an operator in determining whether a sewer pipe might be partially or fully blocked and require cleaning.
Using the SL Rat equipment is a simple process that starts with placing the transmitter on an open manhole and setting the receiver on the next manhole down the sewer line. Once the test has been completed the equipment gives a score from 0-10 that tells the operator how blocked the line is between the 2 manholes. The equipment also has GPS capabilities that will build a map automatically as each manhole has been inspected. For the next segment of line to be inspected the operator can leapfrog the equipment until the entire sanitary sewer system has been inspected.
Each day at least 15,000 feet of sewer line will be inspected and reported to OMAG using the SL Rat equipment and ATV’s to quickly move from manhole to manhole.
Other duties as assigned.
Skills and Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree or higher in public or environmental health, a related science field, or equivalent, with at least 24 hours in a physical, natural, or biological science, chemistry, geology, hydrology, physical geography, environmental science, environmental health, or civil, agricultural, environmental, geological, or chemical engineering, OR a high school diploma or equivalent and a least 5 year’s experience in the water and/or wastewater industry, with two years of supervisory experience.
“C” level Certified Water or Wastewater Works Operator License or higher, current and unexpired / unrestricted, issued by the DEQ, or the ability to obtain such a license within the first 2 years of employment.
A valid Oklahoma driver’s license and a clean driving record.
A positive attitude, professional demeanor, ability to work well in a team environment or independently, excellent time management and problems solving skills, and possessing self-motivation.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to walk long distances or spend long hours on their feet.
Must be able to walk over a variety of terrain, such as loose gravel, slopes, excavated areas, and construction sites.
Must be able to climb ladders or stairs.
Must be able to carry equipment or supplies up to 50 lbs.
Must be able to handle extremes of heat or cold and inclement weather.
May occasionally be exposed to strong odors and may face short-term exposure to pollutants such as air-borne toxics.
Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to ccordell@orwa.org with “Program Specialist” as the subject line.
