Utility Mechanic – Water Treatment Facilities

The Senior Utility Mechanic is responsible for leading the execution of mechanical maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair activities within water treatment facilities. This role ensures mechanical systems—including pumps, piping, compressors, HVAC units, valves, and rotating equipment—are maintained at optimal performance. The senior mechanic also mentors junior technicians, supports reliability and asset management initiatives, and collaborates on long-term equipment health strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Advanced Mechanical Maintenance & Troubleshooting

  • Perform expert-level maintenance on mechanical equipment, including centrifugal pumps, chemical dosing systems, gear drives, HVAC, and piping networks.

  • Lead complex troubleshooting efforts to diagnose root causes of mechanical failures and implement corrective actions.

• Preventive & Predictive Maintenance (PM/PdM)

  • Oversee and execute PM routines based on asset criticality and OEM guidelines.

  • Utilize condition monitoring tools (vibration, infrared, ultrasonic) and interpret diagnostics to inform maintenance planning.

• Shutdowns, Overhauls & Installations

  • Lead mechanical work during major shutdowns, equipment replacements, and system overhauls.

  • Support the installation and commissioning of new mechanical systems and retrofits.

• Reliability & Continuous Improvement

  • Collaborate with reliability engineers and maintenance planners to optimize maintenance schedules and improve equipment uptime.

  • Contribute insights for root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective/preventive action planning (CAPA).

• Documentation & CMMS

  • Ensure thorough and accurate recording of maintenance activities, inspections, and asset performance data in the CMMS.

  • Review and update job plans, PM checklists, and SOPs as necessary.

• Mentoring & Technical Leadership

  • Train and mentor junior utility mechanics and apprentices in safe work practices, troubleshooting techniques, and equipment care.

  • Provide technical input during design reviews, equipment selection, and project planning.

• Safety & Regulatory Compliance

  • Ensure compliance with all safety procedures including lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, and chemical handling.

  • Promote a culture of safety and participate in audits, risk assessments, and training.

Key Focus Areas

1. Leadership in Mechanical Maintenance and System Troubleshooting

2. Optimization and Execution of Preventive & Predictive Maintenance

3. Oversight of Critical Equipment Overhauls and Installations

4. Mentorship and Skill Development of Junior Staff

5. Support for Reliability Engineering and RCA Processes

6. CMMS Data Quality and Asset Performance Reporting

7. Technical Collaboration with Engineering and Operations Teams

8. Strict Adherence to Safety and Environmental Standards

Qualifications & Experience

• Technical diploma, associate degree, or equivalent certification in Mechanical Maintenance or Industrial Technology.

• 7+ years of mechanical maintenance experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or lead capacity in a water/wastewater or utility setting.

• Expertise with mechanical systems including pumps, blowers, chemical feed systems, and HVAC equipment.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and mechanical diagnostic skills

• Proficiency with maintenance tools, rigging, alignment equipment, and CMMS systems

• Solid understanding of hydraulic systems, mechanical drawings, and safety regulations

• Effective communication and coordination skills across multidisciplinary teams

• Demonstrated commitment to safety, reliability, and operational excellence