Distribution & Collections Technician I

Job Title

Performs responsible skilled work in the construction, maintenance and repair of the water distribution and sewer collection systems to ensure safe and efficient operation of public utilities providing water and sewer services to citizens.

Location: Public Services Complex, Kinston, NC

Salary: $36,233.60 - $60,860.80 Annually

Job Type: Full-Time Regular

Job Number: 01454

Department: Public Services

Division: Water Operations

Opening Date: 07/10/2026

Closing Date: 9/21/2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Job Description

An employee in this class performs a variety of technical skilled and manual work in the construction, maintenance, and repair of the City's water distribution and sanitary sewer collection system lines, valves, hydrants, manholes, and related infrastructure. Work involves assisting in the installation, repair, and replacement of water mains, services lines, valves, hydrants and meters as well as the inspection, cleaning, and repair of sewer lines, manholes, and service laterals. Work includes locating and repairing water line leaks, flushing hydrants, operating jet vac equipment to clear blockages, excavating and backfilling trenches and repair sites, making water and sewer taps, locating and marking underground water and sewer lines, performing vegetation control around manholes and hydrants, and responding to after-hours emergencies. Work requires the operation of power tools including jackhammers, cut off saws, and pipe cutters as well as some heavy construction equipment such as a backhoe, track hoe, tractors, and loaders around utility lines, traffic, and in tight spaces. 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 subject to the final standards of OSHA on blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment. 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 Functions

Installs, cleans, and maintains water and sewer service lines; repairs and replaces water and sewer lines, valves, hydrants, meters, manholes and other related structures.

Investigates complaints of leaking meters, water leaks, or high consumption and determines problem; locates and repairs water leaks or breaks in water mains and service lines; replaces water lines and meters.

Installs hydrants, water meters, valves, clamps, and related pipeline apparatus; sets meter boxes; repairs and replaces hydrants.

Cleans and repairs sewer mains, laterals, and manholes; clears blockages using jet/vacuum trucks and rodding equipment; assists with CCTV inspections to identify infiltration/inflow and pipe defects.

Assists with making water and sewer lines taps and service connections for new services.

Connects and disconnects water service in response to moving customers and/or delinquent utility payments.

Lays water and sewer pipe; adjusts pipe to proper grade and depth and replaces sewer and water lines and related facilities.

Performs landscaping and asphalt repair after repair work is completed.

Performs preventive maintenance on water and sewer system including manhole cleaning, root control, and clearing service laterals.

Participates in hydrant and valve exercising, hydrant flushing, manhole inspections, infrastructure maintenance, and other maintenance programs.

Receives and completes various activities as required by work orders; completes daily work logs and turns in with work orders completed; prepares other records of work activities.

Operates a variety of heavy and light equipment, hand tools, and power tools to excavate, backfill, and inspect utility infrastructure including backhoe, dump truck, excavator, mowers, compactor, concrete saw, pumps, generators, tampers, tapping machines, pipe cutter shovels, handheld detection equipment, and air compressors.

Performs landscaping and vegetation control around hydrants and sewer manholes.

Utilizes electronic locating equipment to locate, identify and mark and underground water and sewer lines prior to excavation; may receive and process 811 utility locate requests for contractors or homeowners.

Sets up traffic control devices for work zones; may flag traffic around construction sites.

May assist in the installation, replacement and repair of meters; troubleshoots problems such as visual reads and repairs meters.

Responds to after-hours calls and emergencies such as main breaks, overflows, and service disruptions.

Participates in cleaning and preventive maintenance on light and medium vehicles, equipment and tools used in the work.

Utilizes appropriate personal safety equipment (PPE) including safety glass, hard hats, gloves, etc. on job sites; assists with trench safety measures and confined space entry.

Stocks and maintains necessary parts and supplies on assigned truck; notifies supervisor on supply needs.

May back up or assist other staff or other divisions.

Performs other related tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities/Minimum Qualifications

Working knowledge of the tools, materials and equipment used in the installation, replacement, maintenance and repair of utility lines.

Working knowledge of a variety of maintenance and manual methods and tasks involved in the installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of water and sewer lines and appurtenances.

Working knowledge of the safe use and operation of construction equipment and use of common hand tools and power tools.

Working knowledge of the occupational work hazards and applicable safety precautions associated with the work, including trenches, confined spaces, traffic work zones, blood borne pathogens, lockout/tagout, etc.

Working knowledge of the application of technology to work assignments, including laptops, tablets, u/g locating equipment, GPS/GIS equipment, etc.

Working knowledge of the proper placement of traffic safety signs and cones.

Working knowledge of the municipal water service policies and procedures.

Skill in customer contact, teamwork and collaborative conflict resolution.

Skill in the operation of light and medium-sized construction equipment.

Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time, perform duties in heavy traffic and under adverse weather conditions, and work as part of a team in a variety of weather conditions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers and the public.

Ability to read utility line maps and operation and service manuals and to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Graduation from high school and some experience in construction-related utility work including heavy equipment operation experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements: Possession of, or the ability to obtain a NC Class B Commercial Driver's License with tanker endorsement within timeframe specified by the City. Possession of or ability to obtain a grade C water distribution and grade 1 wastewater collection certification, within 12 months of hiring for Technician II level.

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, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to perform very heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally; 50 pounds of force frequently; and 20 pounds constantly to move objects. Must possess the visual acuity for depth perception, inspection of small parts and/or defects, operating motor vehicles or equipment and for determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, read gauges, and make written records.

The City of Kinston offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees. Benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Additional benefits may also be available.