Employment Opportunity – Drinking Water Operator II

Kristen Potter Employment

Definition: Responsible Treatment Plant and Distribution System Operator with a working knowledge of the construction, repair, maintenance and operation of the Town’s water treatment and distribution system; related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Works independently or as part of a crew under the general direction of the Water Dept. Utility Director, Operations Manager or responsible supervisor.

Exercises considerable independent judgment in water plant or distribution system operations and performs duties requiring considerable experience, discretion and technical knowledge.

Performs precise and accurate duties while sampling, testing and repairing system equipment.

Required to keep accurate records and generate reports using computer-based software.

Is in frequent contact with Town Department and with the general public.

Normal physical effort demanded, except that field inspections more than normal effort and knowledge of water treatment and distribution systems may be required.

Examples of work: Repair and maintenance, record & report keeping, sampling, data collection and operational work of the Town’s water system and necessary support equipment.  Required to do maintenance and repair work in connection with wells, pumping station, treatment, telemetering, SCADA system, testing, mains, services, hydrants, meters and all phases of production, treatment, distribution and meter reading.

Assures adequate supply of portable water to residents and sufficient supply at proper pressures for fire department and industrial use.

Minimum Qualifications: High school graduate; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Thorough knowledge of water system operations, considerable knowledge of pumping station operation, water supply and distribution.  Ability to exercise considerable independent judgement in water treatment and distribution operations, work with other department employees, and to maintain good public relations.  Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.  Ability to use hand tools and operate power equipment.

Must possess a Massachusetts Drinking Water Operator Certification for Grade 2 Treatment or Grade 2 Distribution with 2 years’ experience in water systems.  Must be able to obtain a valid Massachusetts Backflow Prevention Device Tester Certification (M.C.L 310 CMR 22.22 Cross Connections Regulations) within 9 months of starting position.  Must possess a driver’s license valid to operate Class D motor vehicle in the State of Massachusetts.

Employment Opportunity – Office Clerk

Kristen Potter Employment

The Georgetown Water Department is looking for a skilled candidate to fill an opening for a responsible Office Clerk.

Definition:
Under general supervision of the Utility Director and the Office Manager; performs responsible, secretarial, administrative and general office work to ensure the proper functioning of the Water office; performs, accounts receivable, accounts payable, customer service, payroll and daily office tasks.  Works closely with other members of the department and is in frequent contact with other Town Department’s personnel, as well as the general public. Performs additional work as required.

Examples of Duties:

Duties may include, but not limited to:

  • Customer Service; handling incoming phone calls, mail, faxes and visitors. Processing customer inquiries and complaints, scheduling appointments, updating and maintaining customer and system information, final readings, makes calls for appointment reminders and more.
  • Performs office work regarding the department and customer accounts including but not limited to – Dig Safe requests, MLC requests, Title 5 requests, Returned Mail, Irrigation Permits, mailings and other requests.
  • Accounts receivable; receiving and processing payments, maintaining the cash drawer, payment plans and accurate positing.
  • Performs bookkeeping work related to accounts payable such as, vendor warrants and payroll warrants processing and delivery to Town Hall.
  • Assists the Office Manager with customer billing as needed.
  • Performs administrative tasks for the Utility Director or Office Manager when requested.

Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent.  Requires 3 years of responsible administrative experience.  Knowledge of financial accounting, accounts payables, software programs such as Microsoft Office and Outlook.  Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work independently or with other department employees and to maintain good public relations. Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions. Familiarity with Northern Data Systems billing software and Invoice Cloud a plus.

Applicants are asked to send a cover letter and resume to mladderbush@georgetownma.gov

Job Description-2023

Spring Flushing Details

Kristen Potter GWD, Hydrant Flushing, News

The Georgetown Water Department (GWD) is conducting its semi-annual flushing program, which is performed every spring and fall. A consistent flushing program is part of our water system maintenance and is intended to help improve water quality and extend infrastructure lifecycle.

Water main flushing will begin on Monday, April 13th, and will continue each weekday through mid- May between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Flushing involves Water Department personnel operating fire hydrants to scour the inside wall of the pipes, thereby removing sediment and mineral buildup that occurs at low water velocities.

The first areas to be flushed will be on the western side of town near the water treatment plant. Major streets include Baldpate Road, Andover Street and West Street.

Each week, flushing will continue using the following sequence:

  • the week of April 13th – Central Street/Nelson Street/Little Hill/Lake Shore Drive areas
  • the week of April 20th – West Main St/East Main St/Elm St/Tenney St/Searle St areas
  • the week of April 27th – North Street/Pond Street areas.
  • the week of May 4th – Jewett Street/Thurlow Street areas.
  • the week of May 11th – Jackman Street/Warren Street areas.

During water main flushing, you may temporarily experience a reduction in your water pressure. Once the flushing operation is concluded for the day, the pressure will return to normal levels. During and following flushing operations, you may experience dirty water in your home water system for a day or two. These impacts may affect streets a considerable distance away from the flushing hydrants. In the event that you have dirty water run the cold water at each faucet for several minutes before each use. By the end of the day, the water quality should return to pre-flushing operation conditions.

Domestic water service and fire protection will still be maintained during the flushing program.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We apologize for any inconvenience this required maintenance operation may cause.

Annual Spring Flushing Program

Kristen Potter GWD, Hydrant Flushing, News

The Georgetown Water Dept Spring Flushing Program is scheduled to begin April 13th, 2020

Water Main Flushing Info for Consumers

Water main flushing moves water systematically through sections of a drinking water distribution system, creating a scouring action to clean the line. The increased flow rate scours the water pipe’s inner walls and helps to remove build-up of naturally occurring debris and sediment.

The process is critical to the overall maintenance of a distribution system and is one of the most important practices carried out by public drinking water systems to maintain high water quality, improve the carrying capacity of pipes, and ensure proper operation of distribution system components, such as hydrants and valves.

There may be a slight drop in pressure or noticeable discoloration of the water from the minerals and sediments that are being flushed out. During the flushing operation in your neighborhood, you will be able to see crews flushing the water mains through fire hydrants and ends of water main pipes commonly called blow-offs.  Crews will usually direct the water being flushed into appropriate areas to avoid sediment erosion or localized pooling of water, but you may notice water on the street or roadway.

Water is often discolored after water main flushing, but this should not last long. In the event customers draw discolored water into the home, flush a cold tap for a few minutes, up to 15 minutes. As a precaution, prior to using hot water run the cold water tap to ensure discolored water is not drawn into the hot water tank.

It is normal for there to be an increased amount of chlorine in the water during flushing, because the velocity the water is moving through the pipes shortens the travel time from the treatment plant.  Systems that normally do not use chlorine may add it during flushing. Customers can easily remove the chlorine taste and smell by filling an open container with water and keeping it in the fridge for drinking as chlorine will dissipate.

Water Main Flushing FAQ for Consumers