WPC Plant Maintenance Specialist

The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for this classification. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.

Under general supervision, the Water and Pollution Control Plant Maintenance Specialist performs high‑level maintenance on operating equipment and other machinery at the water plant or water pollution control plant and related facilities; serves as technical lead for the plant maintenance staff; also may serve as plant operator on a regular and emergency basis; performs related work as required.

Step increases are available for this position after certain periods of time of employment. The starting salary, until June 30, 2027, is listed at the top of this job posting and below. For any internal candidate, other compensation policies may apply to a starting salary.

Entry = $32.64 18 months = $37.02 48 months = $43.58

Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at:
City of Ames Benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program:
The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit: PSLF Program

Serves as highest level maintenance position in the division; guides and advises other maintenance staff on procedures, materials, tools, and safety aspects of maintenance; leads major or complicated maintenance projects. Performs single‑phase and three‑phase low voltage electrical work up to and including 480 volts. Inspects, repairs and performs maintenance on a wide variety of engines, pumps, motors, bar screens, electrical breakers and controls, boilers, switches, chemical feeders, filters, disinfecting equipment, air compressors and related plant equipment;

replaces worn parts including aerators, clarifiers, filters, bearings, packing, capacitors, seals, shafts and sleeves; performs pipe work for water and chemicals; performs welding; installs new equipment; checks grease charts and bearing temperatures to assure proper maintenance of equipment and engines; keeps records and makes reports; utilizes asset management software; oversees the work of skilled or unskilled helpers; assists in preparing long‑term maintenance schedules and budgets;

attends training as required.

Other

Job Functions:

Diagnoses and troubleshoots HVAC system issues and performs preventive maintenance; performs work on air pipes; replaces parts including wearing rings, impellers, seals, and other pump parts; performs janitorial work. May serve as Plant Operator for the water or wastewater treatment facilities on a regular or emergency basis; operates and checks condition of plant equipment and makes necessary adjustments; adjusts rate of flow for optimum treatment results;

maintains operating records, performs calculations and completes plant operating logs; collects samples and performs routine lab work; performs other operating duties as assigned.

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and…