IO Engineering and Construction-Senior Technician job at Water Mission

Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 60 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith and Our Christian Mission.

Who is Water Mission?

Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds sustainable, safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 59 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Water Mission’s global headquarters is in North Charleston, SC, and the organization has more than 450 staff members based in Africa; Asia; North, South, and Central America; and the Caribbean. Charity Navigator has awarded Water Mission its top four-star rating 15 years in a row, a distinction shared by only 1% of the charities rated by the organization. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith and Christian Mission.

What is the opportunity?

Under the direction of the Lead Engineer/ Project Engineer, Senior Technician is responsible for installing water systems in different communities to a high degree of excellence and according to all standards and requirements of WMU. This position requires that the person resides near the Jinja head office. This person must be willing to work in the field for up to one week on a regular basis and occasionally for longer periods of time. A more detailed principal functions, activities and responsibilities shall include those set out below.

Responsibilities or duties

At Water Mission Uganda (WMU) we work as a team. All employees must be willing to do any task their supervisor asks of them and/or needed to complete the mission, even if it is not specified in their job description. All employees must show initiative and seek to improve the way things are done and to conduct the work in an increasingly cost-effective manner.

The Senior Technician is responsible for ensuring all work is completed to a high degree of excellence and according to all standards, values, and requirements of WMU. Because WMU seeks to share the good news of the Living Water, all employees are expected to share the gospel through their words and actions. The following list is meant to be a guideline:

• Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, donors, volunteers, and the public.
• Mobilize and oversee community volunteers as they prepare for the project including digging trenches for pipes and gathering the materials.
• Support engineers in assessing and developing appropriate solutions for water systems.
• Support engineers with material quantification and preparation/review of technical drawings for project implementation.
• Supervise contractors, local skilled and casual labors to carry out field construction activities in accordance with approved designs, specifications, schedules, technical standards, safety requirements, and quality standards.
• Lead and supervise construction of different water systems infrastructures including enclosures for water treatment and electrical systems, intakes, solar racks, storage tanks, distribution networks, tap stands, sanitation facilities such as latrines, handwashing etc.
• Supervise water sources development including geophysical survey, boreholes drilling and carrying out pumping test of drilled boreholes.
• Install, commission, operate, maintain, and repair water systems and their components, including pumps, pipes, filters, chlorinators, electrical systems, solar panels, storage tanks, and distribution lines.
• Diagnose and resolve technical and operational challenges in the field, monitor system performance, carry out preventive maintenance, and collaborate with engineers to develop practical and innovative solutions.
• Train and mentor junior technicians, local system operators, community members, and other relevant stakeholders on system installation, operation, maintenance, safety, and basic troubleshooting.
• Project reporting, including taking photographs and recording testimonials.
• Conduct routine water quality testing in accordance with approved procedures and standards.
• Coordinate the availability, receipt, storage, use, and accountability of materials, tools, and equipment in the field, and work with relevant teams to ensure timely procurement and delivery
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

• Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Impeccable integrity and stewardship that demonstrates to those who invest in WMU a sense of security and trust that their gifts are well used and invested.
• Must be standards and detail-oriented with ability to plan.
• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent advanced diploma– Water Resources, Civil, Environmental, Hydrogeology, Chemical, or Mechanical are preferred.
• Registration as a Graduate Engineer with the Engineers Registration Board Uganda is an added advantage.
• Advanced skills with office computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and familiarity with design & modeling programs (EPANET, AutoCAD).
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills English is the preferred language
• A strong work ethic and self-starter demonstrating initiative.
• A candidate must have a driver’s license.

Experience needed

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience for the advanced diploma holder or two (2) years for a bachelor’s degree holder in water resources, sanitation, wastewater engineering, or a related field.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Ability and willingness to travel.

• Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, donors, volunteers, and the public.
• Mobilize and oversee community volunteers as they prepare for the project including digging trenches for pipes and gathering the materials.
• Support engineers in assessing and developing appropriate solutions for water systems.
• Support engineers with material quantification and preparation/review of technical drawings for project implementation.
• Supervise contractors, local skilled and casual labors to carry out field construction activities in accordance with approved designs, specifications, schedules, technical standards, safety requirements, and quality standards.
• Lead and supervise construction of different water systems infrastructures including enclosures for water treatment and electrical systems, intakes, solar racks, storage tanks, distribution networks, tap stands, sanitation facilities such as latrines, handwashing etc.
• Supervise water sources development including geophysical survey, boreholes drilling and carrying out pumping test of drilled boreholes.
• Install, commission, operate, maintain, and repair water systems and their components, including pumps, pipes, filters, chlorinators, electrical systems, solar panels, storage tanks, and distribution lines.
• Diagnose and resolve technical and operational challenges in the field, monitor system performance, carry out preventive maintenance, and collaborate with engineers to develop practical and innovative solutions.
• Train and mentor junior technicians, local system operators, community members, and other relevant stakeholders on system installation, operation, maintenance, safety, and basic troubleshooting.
• Project reporting, including taking photographs and recording testimonials.
• Conduct routine water quality testing in accordance with approved procedures and standards.
• Coordinate the availability, receipt, storage, use, and accountability of materials, tools, and equipment in the field, and work with relevant teams to ensure timely procurement and delivery
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

• Advanced skills with office computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Familiarity with design & modeling programs (EPANET, AutoCAD).
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Strong work ethic and self-starter demonstrating initiative.
• Ability to plan.
• Standards and detail-oriented.

• Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Impeccable integrity and stewardship.
• A bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent advanced diploma– Water Resources, Civil, Environmental, Hydrogeology, Chemical, or Mechanical are preferred.
• Registration as a Graduate Engineer with the Engineers Registration Board Uganda is an added advantage.
• Driver’s license.