Temporary Desalination Maintenance Technician

Job Title

Required Qualifications:

• Field experience with steam systems, desalination processes, or wastewater treatment systems
• Proven experience handling industrial chemicals, including spill prevention and safe handling of hazardous materials such as oxidizers and corrosives
• Hands-on experience with water analysis techniques, including in-field colorimetric testing and jar testing
• Experience working with control panels, instrumentation, and process equipment in an industrial or pilot-scale environment
• Demonstrated experience developing, following, and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Preferred Qualifications:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. Any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience as approved by the Human Resources Department.

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt

Grade:
Temporary

$40.00 per hour minimum; rate commensurate with experience.

Location:

Loving, New Mexico

Anticipated

Schedule:

Monday through Friday mornings (e.g., 8:00-10:00 a.m.), averaging approximately 2 hours per weekday following completion of training.

Project Overview:

Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) has commenced joint operations with Sunvapor, Inc., a leading developer of low-carbon industrial process plants, to operate and maintain the country's first solar desalination facility – located at a commercial saltwater disposal well in Loving, New Mexico. To develop its workforce program in sustainable water reuse, SENMC supports operations and maintenance (O&M) tasks at the pilot facility.

The solar-powered desalination plant leverages a patented hybrid desalination process to achieve industry-leading thermal efficiency and recovery rates for the prospective beneficial reuse of produced water in the Permian Basin.

Purpose and Scope:

This position supports SENMC's sustainable water reuse program by performing routine operations and maintenance at the solar-powered produced water desalination pilot facility. Under Sunvapor's direction, responsibilities include daily plant operations in accordance with SOPs, chemical handling, equipment checks, performance monitoring, responding to alarms, assisting with maintenance, and maintaining operational records to ensure safe, reliable facility performance and workforce training support.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work under the direction of the System Owner (Sunvapor) and proactively communicate with SENMC Technical Point of Contact.
• Independently and confidently perform on-site operations and maintenance (O&M) tasks at the produced water desalination pilot plant in Loving, New Mexico.
• Follow established SOPs for daily operations and routine maintenance, including produced water handling, chemical dilution and dosing, piping inspections, and basic equipment maintenance.
• Safely handle and manage chemicals used in produced water pre-treatment.
• Provide hands-on assistance as needed in maintenance activities.
• Receive and respond to system alarms/events as soon as they occur.
• Execute or plan emergency and unscheduled maintenance activities as needed.
• Document completed maintenance activities and report deviations from established plans or expected performance.
• Conduct daily facility performance assessments and identify causes of performance deviations.
• Track and report pre-treatment chemical consumption and other consumables.
• Manage spare parts inventory.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Field experience with steam, desalination, or wastewater treatment systems.
• Field experience with chemicals handling, including spill prevention and handling hazardous chemicals (e.g. oxidizers, corrosives).
• Field experience with water analysis, such as in-field colorimetric methods and jar testing.
• Field experience with control panels, instruments, and process equipment.
• Hands-on abilities as a mechanic; detail-oriented.
• Ability to lift at least 40 pounds and work at heights greater than 15 feet.
• Desire to work outdoors at pilot site, including during summer.
• Familiar with OSHA and ASME safety codes and practices.
• Experience developing and following standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Familiarity…