Water Systems Maintenance Technician

Location - Cozad, NE Cozad Office

Posting Date: May 2, 2025

Candidate screening and selection processes will begin May 12, 2025, and the position will remain open until filled.

Nebraska Public Power District is hiring! Join our team as a Water Systems Maintenance Technician and become an important part of our NPPD story. We are proud of our history, powering every corner of Nebraska, every day, for half a century. We recognize that it takes a diverse group of individuals to move forward in the rapidly changing energy industry, and now is the time to power our own transformation. Come with us on our journey, walking alongside teammates and our customers, leading the way in providing safe, reliable, sustainable energy for all Nebraskans, all while protecting our environment, powering our lives, and realizing our dreams. That’s NPPD…the Power of People.

Get to know us more here.

Position Summary

Perform preventative maintenance, maintenance, and construction on canals, conveyance structures, and associated District right-of-ways and roadways. Operate and maintain vehicles and light/heavy equipment in the performance of maintenance and construction. Patrol and operate canal structures, canals, drains, and river returns to manage flows and water elevations in the system. Serve as a customer contact to the irrigation customers, the public, recreationalists, and other NPPD areas. Perform strenuous physical labor as needed. May include occasional nights and travel away from home to complete job assignments at other WS/RE/CPS and District locations.

Education, Training and Experience

Two-year technical degree in mechanical equipment, construction, or agriculture and 3 years’ experience, OR

Equivalent military training, and 3 years of experience as a Water Systems Maintenance Technician, OR

High School diploma/GED and either: 1) a minimum of 5 years of experience in mechanical equipment, construction, or agriculture or 2) other work experience or demonstrated performance indicating that the applicant has the skills and ability to perform the required duties of the position.

Experience in construction, maintenance, and operation of canal systems, which could include truck driving, heavy equipment operations, dredging, carpentry, and concrete finishing skills. Experience in surface water irrigation and agricultural practices is desired.

Demonstrated ability to perform welding - MIG, oxygen - acetylene, SMAW. Pipe fitting experience is desirable.

Licenses and/or Certifications

Required to possess and maintain a Class A CDL with tanker endorsement.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The incumbent is accountable for maintenance and construction of district canals, reservoirs, water conveyance and associated structures and facilities. These tasks include heavy equipment operation such as skid steer, scraper, tractor, backhoe, loader, trenchers, silt fence machine, digger/derrick, driving dump trucks, water trucks, lowboys, side dumptrucks, operate equipment such as generators, pumps, power washers, aerial lift devices, forklifts, sprayers, ATV’s, UTV’s, welders, oxy-acetylene torch, dredge and booster pump, concrete pump, hand tools and power tools, flow meters, land survey equipment, chainsaws, welding, cutting, carpentry, mechanical, minor electrical and concrete forming, placing and finishing skills.

Operate, setup, service and maintain light/heavy equipment in the maintenance, construction, and repair of facilities in a safe and reliable manner, and keep usage and repair records.

Interface with the public, neighboring canal companies; CNPPID, and other NPPD departments as needed, and represent WS/RE in the best interest of the District

The incumbent must demonstrate sound, independent decision making and proper judgment while maintaining the integrity of all WS/RE systems.

Incumbent is on call as necessary for normal patrol activities and emergency situations, may be required to work shifts and weekends if assigned. Will support other areas of WSRE/CPS and other NPPD departments such as the AWEF, GGS, and T&D. Overnight stays and travel is required at times in order to support this work.

Work safely, promotes the practice of safe work habits, and engages in correcting unsafe conditions and practices. Lead and participate in pre-job briefs and peer reviews, maintain LOTO, confined space, hot work permits, lift plan, SDS, pesticide use, fuel storage, and other reports and files.

Accountable for other duties as assigned.

Incumbent is accountable for miscellaneous other responsibilities as assigned or required.

Core Competencies

Customer Focus

Employees & Teamwork/Diversity & Inclusion

Integrity/Excellence

Public Service/Environmental Stewardship

SafetySalary Information - Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary range listed below, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range. Successful applicants will be provided more information regarding the incentive program at the time of an interview.

Pay Grade - 13 Hourly

Typical Pay Grade Starting Salary Range: $40.69 - $50.86

Travel Required: Up to 25% (With no or minimal overnight stays, less than 3 per month, typically within state of Nebraska) Travel required may fluctuate by business need. This is an estimate and will be discussed further with candidates that receive an interview.

Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary and an excellent benefits package including medical and dental insurance, 401K retirement plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid medical, training opportunities and more.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact Human Resources at Nebraska Public Power District.

Nebraska Public Power District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who values the contributions of its diverse work force. We are only legally able to hire persons who are 1) a United States citizen or national, 2) a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or 3) an alien legally authorized to work in the United States.

Benefits

Customers around the state know what to expect from NPPD — quality, reliability and performance excellence. Our values also extend to the way we take care of our employees and their families. We remain on the leading edge by providing competitive benefits that respond to the diverse lifestyles of our people in an ever-changing world.

Salary

Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary listed in posting, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range.

Retirement Savings

NPPD employees may participate in two retirement plan options – a 401(k) plan and a 457(b) plan. Both plans allow for pre-tax or Roth contributions. After the first six months of employment, the 401(k) plan includes a generous matching contribution from NPPD. The five-year vesting period begins on an employee’s hire date. Our retired employees are eligible for retiree healthcare benefits as well as a life benefit paid out to designated beneficiaries upon their passing.

Health & Wellness

At NPPD, we care about the health and wellness of our employees. We offer new teammates two competitive hospital / medical plan options to fit their lifestyle and family needs. We also make an annual contribution to employee Health Savings Accounts, which can be used to offset out-of-pocket expenses. Employees and their spouse are invited to participate in a variety of wellness initiatives offered throughout the year as a way to enhance their wellness, reduce health risks and promote healthy lifestyles.

Other Benefits

Employees earn vacation on a schedule commensurate with their years of service. We also offer paid holidays as well as personal and family medical leave, including birth mother recovery leave and parental child bonding leave. All full-time employees receive a life insurance policy equivalent to two times the participant's annual salary at no cost to the employee. NPPD also offers dental and vision insurance as well as personal accident, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, pre-paid legal/identity theft, and short-and long-term disability insurance plans. Additional benefits include college tuition reimbursement, relocation assistance and complimentary access to an Employee Assistance Program.

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