The water man of Paulatuk
Angus Dillon takes on new role
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, February 3, 2014
PAULATUK
Angus Dillon is one of the busiest people in Paulatuk today. In addition to his role as the community's water plant manager, he also took on another job as the hamlet's asset manager trainee six months ago.
Dillon said his work keeps him on the go.
"It's pretty busy. It's non-stop, nine to five here and at the water plant," he said. "I'm juggling two jobs and wearing two different hats."
Dillon said although he's busy, he enjoys both of his jobs. He said an average day begins with inspections of the community's buildings and vehicles.
"A normal day is just doing work orders, checking all the buildings, making sure all the equipment is running good," he said. "If it's not, I order parts."
Throughout the day, Dillon visits the water plant and tests the water, making sure chlorine and turbidity levels are where they should be. He has been the water plant manager for nearly three years.
"I go to the water plant and test the water two or three times a day," he said.
Dillon said one of the best parts of his day is taking a break from the jobs' physical demands to catch up on computer work.
"I enjoy relaxing on the computer and doing the work orders and updating the system every day," he said.
Dillon said in addition to his own workload, he works with a team of hamlet employees who make sure the community's work gets done.
He said operating as a team is the most effective way to make sure necessary jobs are accomplished.
"It's just how much work and planning and how much communication you need to get progress," he said. "How much teamwork you need to get things done."
Dillon said he hopes to work toward becoming the community's foreman, which would include taking care of Paulatuk's airport.
"The next step to the asset manager is the foreman position," he said. "That will probably be my next step."
Taking care of the airport would include making sure the airport's runway is kept clear and making sure pilots have the information they need to land safely. Other foreman duties would include capital planning, such as budget-making and working on long-term plans for the hamlet.
The foreman position would require additional training, but Dillon said he looks forward to the opportunity.
He has already proven himself as a good student and has taken a variety of training programs to help him in his current roles.
"I have been to a small systems water plant operator course and recently completed a plan, build and maintain course in Inuvik and I'm eager to learn more about asset management," he stated in an e-mail to News/North.
He said he would advise anyone looking to become a municipal employee to make sure they got the most out of school.
"I would just advise them to stay in school, do the best they can," he said.
