Utility Maintenance Technician
UTILITY MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN
General Statement of Duties
Performs a variety of responsible unskilled and semi-skilled maintenance, repair, and construction work on the water distribution system, sewer collection system, lift stations, and other public grounds and facilities.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled labor tasks in the construction, maintenance, and repair of the water distribution system, wastewater collection system, lift stations and hydrants, and assists, when needed, in the maintenance and repair of streets, grounds, and other public facilities and areas. Work also involves reading water meters and meter maintenance and repair. Work involves operating construction equipment and a variety of tools, along with light and heavy equipment to build, repair and replace sections of water and sewer lines and other infrastructure. Employees are subject to working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as loud noises, vibration, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation, and oils. Work is also subject to the final standards of OSHA on blood borne pathogens. Employees are also subject to on-call and call-back work. Work is performed under regular supervision and is evaluated through observation and inspection for adherence to instructions and standard trade and safety practices.
Essential Duties and Tasks
- Performs semi-skilled work in the construction, maintenance and repair of water and sewer lines; operates construction equipment such as dump trucks, back hoes, tractors, loaders, tampers, trenchers, air compression driven equipment, and other related light and medium equipment; performs preventive maintenance and minor repairs to equipment.
- Performs water taps; repairs leaks and repairs water and sewer lines; cleans and maintains sewer lines and manholes; repairs line leaks; repairs and replaces hydrants; exercises valves.
- Operates a hand-held computer to read water meters, when necessary, that may not yet be automated or are damaged; repairs and replaces water meters and associated equipment.
- Checks lift stations; takes readings; cleans and makes repairs; replaces gaskets, cleans wet wells, oils and greases, changes bearings, re-packs pumps; maintains access to lift stations.
- Operates a sewer jet machine to clear and clean sewer lines and manholes.
- Completes work orders to connect and disconnect utility service, check leaks, re-read meters, locate and mark underground utilities, etc.; assists customers with trouble-shooting high water bills.
- Maintains assigned vehicles and equipment; stocks truck with supplies, tools and materials.
- Participates in the work of other public works and utilities activities, as needed; assists with compliance efforts related to the City’s MS4 Stormwater permit.
- Provides traffic flagging and control and ensures safe work zone when working around traffic.
- Prepares simple records of work activities.
Additional Job Duties
Performs related tasks as required.
Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities
- Working knowledge of tools, materials and equipment used in public works and utility construction and maintenance work.
- Working knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the work.
- Working knowledge of municipal maintenance and construction practices including some knowledge of water and sewer line, street, and/or grounds maintenance work.
- Working knowledge of pumps and motors and water and sewer regulations.
- Some knowledge of the City’s water and sewer utility customer service policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of traffic laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to operations of motorized equipment.
- Some knowledge of the application of information technology to the work.
- Skill in the use of tools and operation and maintenance of assigned heavy construction equipment.
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, supervisors, and other employees.
- Ability to deal courteously with the general public.
- Ability to safely operate light to heavy construction and maintenance equipment with skill.
- Ability to prepare simple written records of work activities.
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and performing repetitive motions.
- Must be able to perform heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds constantly to move objects.
- Work is performed in extreme weather conditions.
- Must possess the visual acuity to operate mobile equipment such as the loader and dump truck in a safe manner, perform mechanical tasks, and to visually inspect the work performed.
Desirable Education and Experience
Graduation from high school and experience in semi-skilled maintenance, utility, or construction work, including heavy equipment operation experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Special Requirements
- Possession of, or the ability to obtain within the time stipulated upon hire, a valid North Carolina commercial driver’s license.
- Ability to obtain water distribution and/or sewer collection system operator certification within time stipulated upon hire.
Administering the Class: As a condition of employment, employees will be given a time frame to obtain desired certification(s) and may not complete the probationary period until these are obtained. Six-month probationary periods may be extended as necessary to achieve this objective.
Job Open Date
06/26/2023
Earliest Close Date
Until Filled
Salary Hiring Range is $41,050-$43,500, depending on experience. Applications can be found online or at City Hall. Email resume and cover letters to: cramsey@lowellnc.com. Mail applications to: City of Lowell, Attn: Cheryl Ramsey, Human Resource Officer, 101 W. First Street, Lowell, NC 28098. The City of Lowell is an Equal Opportunity Employer.