Utility Maintenance Worker

Salary : $33,269.00 - $56,300.00 Annually
Location : City of Washington, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 1900395
Department: Water Resources
Opening Date: 07/09/2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt


Job Description

Summary
Responsible for performing a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled work in the maintenance and repair of water and sewer distribution and collection system including taps, hydrant valves and utility lines. Locates utility locates for the Water and Sewer Division. Work involves using a variety of tools and light equipment to build, repair and replace sections of water and sewer lines and to unstop clogged sewers.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

• Performs unskilled and semi-skilled trades work in the construction, replacement and repair of water and sewer lines.
• Performs maintenance on hydrants and assists in meter changeouts.
• Performs utility locates, reads maps and completes locate orders from ULOCO.
• Cleans stopped sewer lines with pressurized hoses, rakes, and shovels.
• Assists with traffic control.
• Uses shovels to finish grading trenches for construction of water and sewer lines; fits pipe; uses hand tools and operates equipment to back fill trenches.
• Performs minor preventive maintenance on vehicles and equipment.
• Performs and assists with making water and sewer taps, installing fire hydrants and installing and replacing water meters.
• Operates ¾ ton truck; operates light construction equipment such as tampers, jackhammers, air compressors, boring tools, tapping machines, etc.
• Obtains parts and supplies and transports.
• Work also involves mowing and other grounds and facilities maintenance around utility facilities and rights-of-way.
• Records work and activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and/or Experience
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and one to four years' general construction or maintenance experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.


Special Requirements
Valid N.C. driver's license and acceptable driving record


Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of tools, materials and equipment used in general construction and maintenance work.
• Knowledge of municipal maintenance and construction practices.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the work.
• Knowledge of traffic laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to operations of motorized equipment.
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions.
• Ability to operate construction tools.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.

Physical Requirements
This is heavy work requiring the exertion of 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, crouching, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and repetitive motions. Vocal communication is required to express or exchange ideas. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring or testing devices, assembly of equipment, operating plant equipment, determining accuracy and thoroughness of work performed, and observing surroundings and activities.


Working Conditions
Work is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions including extreme heat and extreme cold. Physical activities include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping and feeling. Employee is subject to noise, vibration, and hazards, including a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, exposure to chemicals, and atmospheric conditions. Employee is exposed to oils and greases and blood-borne pathogens. Employee is required to wear a respirator when necessary. Employee may frequently work in close quarters, crawl space, shafts, small enclosed rooms and other areas which could cause claustrophobia. Employees are also subject to on-call and call-back work.
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance:

The City of Washington provides, at no cost , employee only coverage for Medical (High-Deductible with H.S.A), Vision and Dental insurance. Coverage is available for all regular status full-time employees scheduled to work 40 hours. Employees may also choose to cover eligible dependents. Benefits begin on the 1st day of the month following 30 days of employment.

Paid Life Insurance

The City provides $15,000 of term life insurance and $15,000 of accident death insurance to all full-time employees at no cost. Employees may elect additional coverage, including dependent coverage, at their own cost.

Employer Paid Leave:

Paid Vacation: Full-Time employees earn 8 hours of vacation leave per month. Leave accruals increase based on the number of years of City service. (Ex: at 5 years increases to 10 hours per month)

Paid Holidays: The City of Washington observes 13 paid holidays per calendar year. The approved holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, 2 days at Thanksgiving and 3 days at Christmas.

Sick: Full-Time employees earn 8 hours of sick leave per month (Fire Personnel earn 14.15 hours). Sick leave hours accumulate without limits and may be used toward credible service upon retirement from the NC Local Government Retirement System.

Retirement:

The City assists our employees in securing their financial future during retirement by participating in the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System, administered by the State of North Carolina. Regular status employees, scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week, become members in the retirement system upon employment. As a member of this system, employees are required to contribute 6 percent of their gross salary on a tax-deferred basis.

Deferred Compensation Plans:

To further assist employees in saving for retirement, the City offers two supplemental retirement savings programs. These programs offer employees an opportunity to save a portion of their salary on a tax-deferred basis to supplement their retirement benefit. The programs offered are 401(k) Supplemental Retirement Income Plan and the 457 Plan through Prudential.

Cafeteria Plan / Supplemental Benefits:

Realizing that each employee may have different insurance needs, the City offers its employees the opportunity to supplement City-provided benefits by selecting from the benefits listed below. These benefits are offered at employee's expense through payroll deduction:
• Supplemental Term Life Insurance
• Cancer Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Whole Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (Pre-tax basis)

Death Benefit:

After one year as a contributing member of the Retirement System, a death benefit is provided that is equal to the highest 12 months' salary in a row during the 24 months before death, no less than $25,000 and no more than $50,000. There is no cost to the employee for these benefits.

Pay Periods/Direct Deposit:

City employees are paid bi-weekly, every other Friday through direct deposit.

Full benefit details may be viewed here: