Treatment Plant and Distribution Operator Position has been filled

Tom Zuppa Employment, GWD, News

The Georgetown Water Department is looking for a skilled candidate to fill an opening for a responsible Treatment Plant and Distribution Operator.

The Georgetown Water Department strives to operate and maintain the municipal water system cost-effectively and conservatively. We are committed to providing a safe, clean, and abundant water supply to residents and businesses for their daily needs and fire protection. We need someone to help us do the work necessary to keep our systems running smoothly for the good of our community.

Overview and Responsibilities:

The Treatment Plant and Distribution Operator will be responsible for a variety of repair and maintenance work in connection with wells, pumping stations, treatment, telemetering, Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, testing, mains, services, hydrants, meters and all phases of production, treatment, distribution and meter reading. Responsibilities also include accurate reporting and record-keeping using computer-based software, sampling, and data collection.

This position requires the performance of duties requiring considerable experience, discretion and technical knowledge. The successful candidate will have a working knowledge of construction and operation of a municipal water treatment and distribution system. Candidates must be comfortable working independently or as a group leader of a crew under the general direction of the Water Department Utility Director and Operations Manager. The Operator will be in frequent contact with Town Departments and the general public, and will be responsible for exercising considerable independent judgment in water plant or distribution system operations.

Highly skilled, well-trained employees are critical to the Department’s goal to provide the best service to residents, and ensure upkeep of our water systems that are an essential function of our community. The Department will provide teaching and mentoring, as well as pay for training courses and licensure testing.

Pay and benefits

The position is union full-time. Pay range is $28.57 to $34.06 per hour, based on experience.

The Georgetown Water Department offers a generous benefits package, including:
range of perks that compensate for the hard work they do. The benefits for this position include:

  • 12 paid holidays
  • 3 paid personal days
  • 12 sick days accrued yearly, with incentives for not taking sick = 2 more personal days
  • Sole use of work truck dedicated to the job
  • Scheduled overtime once monthly with an on-call stipend
  • Possibility of backflow testing stipends
  • Uniform provided by Cintas
  • Boot allowance of $200 per year
  • $400 on call stipend

Qualifications:

The candidate must meet the following minimum qualification:

  • Must be a high school graduate; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
  • Ability to use hand tools and operate power equipment.
  • Ability to perform a range of physical tasks, including lifting, bending, walking, standing, and carrying equipment, tools and materials while under varying weather conditions.
  • Must possess a valid Massachusetts driver’s license.
  • Must possess or have the ability to obtain T2/D2 Drinking Water Operator’s licenses.

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

The Georgetown Water Department is an equal opportunity employer.

Georgetown Water Congratulates Mark Leonard on 22 Years of Service to Department

jgprstaff GWD, News

Director Marlene Ladderbush and the Georgetown Water Department wish to congratulate Mark Leonard on his 22nd work anniversary.

Leonard joined the Water Department as a laborer on Oct. 7, 2000. During his time with Georgetown Water, he has accepted increasing responsibilities, and completed numerous, intensive exams to become a T2 D2 Operator. He is the Department’s longest-tenured employee.

“For 22 years, Mark has been an asset to the Department,” Director Ladderbush said. “He consistently works to advance his knowledge in the water field and he is always willing to lend a helping hand. We are lucky to have him.”

 

Georgetown Water Department Announces Phase 4 Water Use Restriction

Tom Zuppa Drought News, GWD, News, Water Ban

***Georgetown remains in a Phase 4 Drought. Map Updated Nov. 14, 2022***

The Georgetown Water Department announces that the town is under a Phase 4 water restriction, which bans all unattended non-essential outdoor water use.

The Board of Water Commissioners voted on Monday, Aug. 8, to further restrict water use. The Parker River streamflow, a key source of water to the community, is essentially dry at 0.1 cubic feet per second.

Water Department staff will be monitoring outdoor use by residential and commercial customers. Violation of the restrictions carries increasing penalties:

  • First violation: Verbal or written warning of non-compliance. The Water Department has created door hangers to notify parties that are out of compliance.
  • Second violation: $150 fine
  • Third violation: $400 fine
  • Fourth violation: Discontinuation of water service

By Water Department policy, the restriction may be lifted after seven consecutive days of increasing flow.

“It’s vital that we as a community work together to protect our water supply both for drinking and for fire service protection,” said Utility Director Marlene Ladderbush. “Thank you to our residents and businesses for their understanding and cooperation.”

Georgetown Water Shares Latest PFAS Sampling Results

GWD, News

The Georgetown Water Department wishes to share its latest PFAS sampling results, which indicate that the cumulative detections of PFAS in the town’s water supply were below the state-mandate maximum allowable levels.

Georgetown Water will conduct sampling again in January 2025, once more species of PFAS are added to the list of contaminants.

To view the report on the most recent testing, click here.

Georgetown Water Department Adds Two New Items to Its Water-Saving Rebate Program

Kayla Rochon GWD, News

GEORGETOWN –  Utility Director Marlene Ladderbush is pleased to announce that the Georgetown Water Department has added two items to its list of fixtures and appliances that are eligible for rebates. 

The Georgetown Water Department has added bathroom sink faucets and showerheads that are labeled with the WaterSense seal — an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program. Residents who purchase WaterSense bathroom faucets or showerheads will be eligible for up to $50 per qualifying item while funds remain. Rebates are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

WaterSense faucets that use no more than 1.5 gallons per minute — lower than the standard of 2.2 gallons per minute — can reduce a sink’s water flow by 30 percent or more. According to the EPA, replacing old, inefficient faucets and aerators with WaterSense models can save the average family 700 gallons of water per year — the amount needed to take 45 showers. 

Likewise, with WaterSense labeled showerheads, the average family could save up to 2,700 gallons of water per year. As a result, the reduced water usage will help families save on their energy bills by limiting the demand on their hot water heaters. The amount of electricity saved could total as much as 330 kilowatt-hours, which is equal to the amount needed to power a house for 11 days. 

These new rebates come in addition to existing rebates for high-efficiency toilets and washing machines, as well as smart irrigation controllers. 

To learn more about the Georgetown Water Department’s rebate program, visit georgetownwater.org/rebate-program/.

 

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