Utility Worker I

Utility Worker

The Chesterfield County Department of Utilities is a public water and wastewater utility that uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver the highest quality service to its approximately 121,000 water customers and 103,000 wastewater customers. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference in the community by meeting or exceeding water quality standards while also protecting the James River and the Chesapeake Bay. We pride ourselves in being fiscally fit as one of only a handful of water and wastewater utilities nationwide to have achieved AAA ratings on its revenue bonds from each of the three top rating services.

This Utility Worker will serve as a member of a repair and maintenance crew within the Operations and Maintenance section of the Department of Utilities along with a crew chief, heavy equipment operator and other Utility Workers. The position is responsible for being a dependable and supportive member of their team by assisting in the maintenance and repair of the county's underground water distribution system infrastructure and meeting overall Utilities Department goals. This includes wearing appropriate PPE (provided by the county) and following county and OSHA safety rules and regulations for General Industry and Construction.

Our typical work hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Our work schedules are not impacted by inclement weather. We work through rain, snow, and shine. While we do not routinely operate 24 hours a day, we do, however, frequently work outside of normal work hours in response to emergencies, including weekends and holidays. In some cases, this means that a work shift may exceed the regularly scheduled eight hours per day. Working overtime, beyond the regularly scheduled 40 hours per week, is frequent and required. The employee will be compensated for overtime under FLSA guidelines. For coverage on weekends and holidays, there is a rotating "on-call" schedule with five crews on the rotation, so you can expect to be on-call once every five weeks. The employee will be compensated for being on-call, plus time worked, if any.

In this position, you will:

• Use hand tools such as shovels, rakes, spades, etc.
• Use powered hand tools such as jackhammers, pipe saws, chain saws, etc.
• Drive tandem axle dump trucks with trailers to transport materials and equipment
• Occasionally operate heavy equipment to load and unload materials
• Occasionally use asphalt roller and other tools to restore asphalt

You will assist the crew in:

• Maintaining the cleanliness and stock levels on a construction truck that is essentially a "rolling warehouse"
• Repair, replace, and install water service lines ¾" – 2"
• Repair, replace, and install water mains up to 48"
• Repair, replace, and install fire hydrants, in-line valves, blow-offs, and other related appurtenances
• Perform other duties, as required

Here's what you need:

• High school diploma or GED and one year of experience in a maintenance-related field; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Some computer skills are preferred.
• Good communication and customer relations skills are required; heavy lifting required; ability to perform maintenance tasks using hand tools such as shovels and picks, tampers, and pavement breakers.
• Current valid driver's license and good driving record are required.
• Based on the Virginia DMV point system, your record must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months. Out-of-state driving records must be obtained by applicant and presented at the time of the interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of the interview date.
• This position is a federally regulated DOT position and is subject to random drug testing and alcohol testing. The use of medical marijuana for this position is prohibited. Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check, and education/degree verification are required.
• This position requires a Class A CDL within one year of employment. If the employee does not have a Class A CDL at the time of hire, the county will provide the required training and testing during business hours. Candidates who already have a Class A CDL will be considered for a Utility Worker II position with additional compensation.
• The successful candidate will be a self-starter, possess a strong mechanical aptitude, and have good verbal communication skills. Additionally, the candidate must be a team player and have the ability to develop positive working relationships.

What's in it for you:

• If you are passionate about making a difference in the community, join our team. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes the Virginia Retirement System and long and short-term disability.
• We work hard to achieve our mission, but we also value work-life balance through paid time off (PTO) and the ability to earn compensatory leave time. The candidate will accrue 7 hours of PTO for 24 of the 26 pay periods with the balance, up to the maximum carryover limit, rolling over from year-to-year. The candidate will also be granted 40 hours of PTO on their second paycheck.
• Additionally, the candidate will also have the option to convert overtime and on-call hours into compensatory time up to a maximum of 50 hours.
• This is a uniform required position. The county has a contracted third-party vendor that provides uniform services. The county will outfit you with appropriate cold-weather gear, in addition to all required PPE, including safety footwear and eyewear.
• This position is part of an approved Career Development Plan (CDP) and offers career progression opportunities and salary incentives, as funding permits, based on performance, qualifications and experience. The salary range for this position is $43,442 – 66,249. Salary offered will be based on qualifications and experience. Employees may be hired above entry level in the CDP if they possess the required skills and experience.
• In addition to CDPs, we support professional development through tuition reimbursement program, our award-winning Learning and Performance Center programs, and opportunities for advancement within the organization.