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TRWA Briefs
TRWA Welcomes New Employee
Join us in welcoming TRWA's newest staff member, Emily Young! Emily joined our team in June as our new Assistant Environmental Services Director. In this role, she supports the Environmental Services Director, Jason Knobloch, in the oversight of our state contracts providing on-site support to water and wastewater systems.
Emily was born and raised in San Antonio and ventured off to New York to attend college and spent 6 years on the East Coast. She worked for U.S. Fish and Wildlife on an island and spent a year in Americorps, working on various environmental projects for several Cape Cod Towns and the National Park Service. In 2002, she headed back to Texas to attend University of Texas at Austin to get her Master of Science degree in Community and Regional Planning with a focus on Environmental Planning and water resources, spending a summer interning for Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District.
Emily remained in Austin after she completed graduate school. She worked for Austin Water Utility in the Water Conservation Division and as a Legislative Assistant for about 7 years; for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in the Water Supply Division as a Natural Resource Specialist and Special Assistant to the Director for 6 years; and for the Public Utility Commission for over a year as an Enforcement Analyst coordinating with TCEQ and the Office of the Attorney General in helping abandoned utilities obtain a temporary manager or receiver. When she's not at work, she enjoys hiking, biking, swimming, and watching sporting events and playing in a softball league. Emily also enjoys hanging out with her friends and trying different local breweries and coffee shops in Austin and the surrounding areas.
Code Updates
In-Service Cleaning
If you are interested in having us as your partner, feel free to contact one of ourdepartment representatives below
NEWTANKS — Rick DiZinno (270) 826-9000 ext. 2601 EXISTING TANKS — Jordan Pyles (270) 826-9000 ext. 4601
Welcome to TRWA's New Utility Members
TRWA's 2020 Membership Drive officially ended on May 15, and we are excited to announce and welcome our new Utility Members: • City of Cumby • Pickton WSC • City of Wills Point • Pleasant Springs WSC • Flat WSC • Thompson Heights Water • Gill WSC • Walnut Cove WSC • Grand Harbor WSC • Westhaven WSC • Oakwood Water System • Westwood Shores MUD Welcome to the TRWA family! We would also like to thank our renewing members for their loyalty and continued dedication to this Association. If you have any questions about your membership benefits, please do not hesitate to contact us at membership@trwa.org or 512-472-8591.
Classified Ads Texas Rural Water Association | FMT Assistance Specialist (Bilingual)
The Texas Rural Water Association is seeking an English/Spanish bilingual Assistance Specialist to assess and evaluate water and wastewater systems, and provide Financial, Managerial, and Technical (FMT) assistance to promote the development and growth and/or sustainability of targeted utilities. This position requires the ability to travel up to 90% of the time and maintain a valid Texas driver's license and acceptable driving record.
Essential Functions:
• Ensure completion and compliance of the goals, objectives and deliverables required under state contracts, currently FMT Assistance Contracts • Provide direct on-site FMT assistance to water and wastewater systems, as assigned • Contact public water/wastewater systems to schedule FMT assistance visits, typically within a defined geographic area, as assigned • Perform FMT assessments or consolidations of public water/wastewater systems as assigned • Contact potential applicants of Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF) or applicants of other TWDB funds to schedule assessments, as assigned by Environmental Services Director • Assist the Environmental Services Director in attaining the goals of the Association and perform other duties as assigned
Minimum qualifications for this position include:
• State of Texas Class B or higher certification in surface water or groundwater • Three (3) or more years of water and/or wastewater utility experience, including providing technical assistance and training services to water and wastewater utilities • Knowledgeable in state and federal regulations that apply to public water and/or wastewater systems • Knowledgeable in the forms and applications of TCEQ that apply to all retail public utilities • Familiarity with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements and TCEQ rules concerning water quality and water utilities • Experience in word processing, excel spreadsheet, and database applications • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Maintain thorough knowledge of all state and federal regulations as they apply to water and wastewater utilities • Ability to learn technical material • Ability to exercise independent judgement in advising utilities regarding their business operations • Maintain valid Texas drivers’ license • Must be bilingual in Spanish This description covers essential functions and is not a comprehensive list of job duties. For the full job description, visit our posting on our website at www.trwa.org/TRWAJobs. To apply, email a cover letter, resume and salary requirements to jason.knobloch@trwa.org.
Classified Ads SAMCO | Leak Detection and/or GPS Technician
SAMCO is seeking a Leak Detection and/or GPS Technician based out of Austin. Under supervision of the Project Manager, this position will perform acoustic leak detection on various water distribution systems, water conservation consulting and GPS data collection services. These services will help improve utilities infrastructure by enhancing operational efficiency, reliability during water system assessments, and most importantly conserve water for the public. Education: HS diploma or equivalent Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities : • Leak detection and water distribution field knowledge : 1 year experience • Knowledge of GPS applications and data collection • Must be proficient with computer skills and applications • Must live in the Austin area to commute daily to SAMCO office building. • Able to travel and stay overnight while working on out of town projects Employee Benefits: • 50% company contribution for employee only medical • 10% company contribution of employee gross income to SEP IRA after 2 years of full time employment • Paid vacation, sick days, and holidays • Employee Incentive Programs Employment Requirements: • Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment background check • Possess valid Texas driver’s license and maintain insurability • Please go to website samco-leakservice.com under “Contact” tab and email application with resume to owner Sam
Godfrey 512.751.5325 if you have any questions. • Salary is pending based on experience & qualifications.
South Texas Water Authority | Operations and Maintenance Supervisor
The South Texas Water Authority is accepting applications for the position of Operations and Maintenance Supervisor. Working under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, duties include, but are not limited to: • Operating and maintaining one (1) wholesale water system and two (2) retail distribution systems, • Supervising field personnel, • Serving as customer field representative and construction inspector, • Advising the Executive Director in development of schedules, • Providing written and oral logistics/reports (including budgetary) to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and other staff as needed, • Serving as Safety Officer, • Producing and processing paperwork including time reports, work orders, service orders, inventory and local/
State/federal quality/monitoring reports, • Evaluating field personnel on an annual basis, • Ensuring maintenance of all equipment/vehicles, and • Ensuring field personnel's orientation, training and continuing education are properly provided. Qualifications are: A high school diploma or its equivalent with five (5) years of supervisory experience in the water utility industry including sufficient working knowledge and/or construction experience relating to water distribution systems, pump station operations, SCADA systems, and Cathodic Protection systems. The applicant should be familiar with a wide variety of equipment including but not limited to pumps, motors, motor operated valves, chlorine and LAS systems, hydro-pneumatic tanks and any other equipment associated with the operation of pump station facilities and distribution systems. This position requires lifting 50 pounds, bending, stooping, shoveling, assembling pipes, climbing in and out of ditches, and working outdoors in the natural elements. Applicants will be scored by a Management Selection Committee and those with Cathodic Protection system experience may be considered as a stronger candidate. Qualified applicant must have a valid "C" water license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, a valid driver's license and must be insurable by the Authority's insurance carriers. Welding and heavy equipment experience a plus. Qualified applicants must be adept in both oral and written communication skills, willing to work extended hours, and flexible in his/her operational procedures as warranted by a changing work environment. Salary commensurate with experience. Applications will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2020, at South Texas Water Authority, 2302 East Sage Road, Kingsville, Texas. For more information call 361-592-9323. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
CONFERENCES:
October 20-23, 2020 Fall Management Conference - Virtual - more information is online at www.trwa.org/Fall2020 October 20-23, 2020 Districts Conference - Virtual - more information is online at www.trwa.org/Fall2020
OPERATOR TRAINING COURSES:
Learn more about our upcoming classroom and online training options at www.trwa.org/training
PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT TRAINING:
Initial: Virtual, October 14 Renewal: Virtual, October 14
TRWA DISTRICT MEETINGS:
District 1: September 22, Virtual District 14: September 29, Virtual
