| Requisition ID | req27019 |
| Working Title | Water/Wastewater Utility Specialist |
| Position Grade | 13 |
| Position Summary | NOTE: This job posting has been extended to 10/30/2023. The Southwest Environmental Finance Center (Southwest EFC), within UNM’s Center for Water and the Environment, is searching for a Water/Wastewater Utility Specialist to provide technical assistance to water, wastewater, and stormwater systems in EPA Region 6 for the near future and possibly nationally later on. This position will work with systems to assess the condition of their infrastructure, identify their issues or challenges, build their internal capacity, and assist them with applying for infrastructure funding. This is a technical position that will require prior knowledge or experience with water, wastewater, and/or stormwater utilities. This position is grant funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law, but could extend beyond this funding if additional funding becomes available. While this position may work a hybrid schedule at times, this is not a designated fully remote work position. It is anticipated that the successful applicant will live in Albuquerque or the surrounding area to accommodate working in the office when needed. This position will work primarily with small water or wastewater systems providing direct technical assistance on issues related to aging infrastructure, compliance, emergency preparedness, applying for funding etc. The ideal candidate will have prior knowledge/experience with water/wastewater treatment, storage, and distribution. The position is a good fit for individuals with a background in engineering or operations.The Southwest EFC was created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992. We provide solutions to environmental problems via training and technical assistance delivery on a variety of topics associated with drinking water, wastewater, storm water, air quality, and other environmental topics. Our clients include tribal, local, state, federal, and corporate institutions around the country including the U.S. territories. We strive to work with the entities we serve rather than for the entities we serve. This position with the University of New Mexico offers competitive benefits including leave (annual, sick, family & medical leave, etc.); health benefits (medical, dental, vision, and prescription drugs); educational benefits (tuition-remission); life, short and long-term disability, and AD&D insurance; retirement plans, etc. Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico, is located along the Rio Grande, adjacent to the Sandia Mountains. A high desert city, the climate is mild most of the year, enabling a full range of outdoor activities year-round. Albuquerque is an inclusive, diverse city with a fabulous climate, low-cost lifestyle, and excellent outdoor recreation. Position Duties: Assess current infrastructure conditions and issues facing water, wastewater, and/or stormwater utilities. Provide technical assistance on managerial, financial, and technical issues for water, wastewater, and/or stormwater utilities. The assistance may be a combination of in-person, completely remote, or a combination thereof. The successful applicant will be comfortable in any of these settings. Work closely with utilities to compile and submit infrastructure funding applications to state funding agencies. Develop and deliver training (in-person and virtually) on managerial, financial, and technical topics for water, wastewater, and/or stormwater utilities. Use independent judgement to design, organize, and execute a variety of tasks including: data analysis, project management, and quality control. Develop progress reports and client deliverable reports, participate in reviewing and editing a wide variety of reports including final reports. Collaborate with diverse entities (including but not limited to utilities, universities, community groups, environmental groups, and tribal, local, state, and federal agencies) on a wide range of environmental topics. Ability to travel throughout Region 6, including New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana via car or plane and potentially elsewhere in the country, if required by meetings or other work activities. The travel will vary from significant to minor depending on the time of year and requests for assistance. See the Position Description for additional information. |
| Conditions of Employment | May require discipline-specific licensure and/or professional certification, as specified by the department in the preferences.Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University’s influenza vaccination requirement. |
| Minimum Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis. |
| Preferred Qualifications | Knowledge or experience with water supply, treatment, storage, and distribution systems. Knowledge or experience with wastewater collection, treatment and NPDES permitting.Familiarity with the Safe Drinking Water Act, Ground Water Rule and Clean Water Act.Knowledge or experience with water and wastewater plant maintenance and asset condition assessments. Familiarity with a state’s clean water revolving fund or drinking water revolving fund. Experience with budget creation, rates analysis, and financial planning related to utilities.Ability to work without a high degree of supervision. |
| Additional Requirements | |
| Campus | Main – Albuquerque, NM |
| Department | Center for Water & the Environment (281A) |
| Employment Type | Staff |
| Staff Type | Term – Full-Time |
| Term End Date | One year from hire date |
| Status | Exempt |
| Pay | Monthly: $3,955.47 – $5,555.33 |
| Benefits Eligible | This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for a more information. |
| ERB Statement | As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid. |
| Background Check Required | Yes |
| For Best Consideration Date | 10/30/2023 |
| Eligible for Remote Work | Yes |
| Eligible for Remote Work Statement | This position would be expected to be in the office 2-3 days per week. |
| Application Instructions | Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.Please include a current resume and cover letter detailing how your experience matches the position as described above; including any preferred qualifications. |
| Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details. The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visithttps://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff. | |
Requesting an Accommodation
Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and University of New Mexico policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with the University of New Mexico, or if you cannot use the online application system, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] (505) 277-4777 for assistance with the application process.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
The University of New Mexico is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce and are dedicated to the goal of building an inclusive and pluralistic faculty and staff. We are committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. Visit the links below for more information regarding our commitment to affirmative action and equal opportunity: Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action at the University of New Mexico Equal Employment Opportunity is THE LAW.
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