From the city of Great Bend
Earlier this week, staff members from the City of Great Bend Utilities Department completed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 30 Construction Training across the water distribution, wastewater collections and wastewater treatment plant divisions. This course is an advanced supervisory level safety certification that provides in-depth instruction on hazard recognition, regulatory compliance and injury prevention.
“Utility work involves inherent hazards that require constant awareness and discipline,” said Director of Public Utilities Darren Doonan. “This training reinforces our commitment to employee safety, regulatory compliance and professional development. Investing in our staff directly translates to safer operations and more reliable service for our residents.”
Training was administered on-site by the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and covered electrical safety, confined space entry, trenching and excavation, lockout and tagout, personal protective equipment, hazard communication and emergency response. KDOL staff also conducted walk-throughs of the utilities' headquarters and wastewater treatment plant to observe operations and identify opportunities for additional safety improvements. This allowed a focus on workplace layout, equipment use, signage and procedural controls, and provided feedback to further strengthen existing safety practices.
By hosting the training in-house, the utilities department ensured consistent instruction across all divisions while minimizing service disruptions to the community. This approach also reinforced a unified safety culture across water and wastewater operations.
The utilities department continues to prioritize proactive training and adherence to state and federal safety standards. Ongoing education and certification programs are a key component of the city’s long-term strategy to protect employees and maintain critical infrastructure.
The city is looking to add more personnel to the utilities department and offers a clear career progression path with corresponding wage increase when certifications are obtained. Service Person I entry positions start at $18.00 an hour while applicants with a CDL earn an extra dollar per hour. For those interested, please apply online at https://tinyurl.com/UtilitiesApplication. For questions, please contact the human resources department at 620-793-4111.