UTILITIES MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN I, II, III

Salary : $42,806.40 - $79,289.60 Annually
Location : Municipal Operations Center (1300 N Broad St), Gastonia, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01754
Department: Public Utilities
Division: Water & Sewer/Utilities Maintenance
Opening Date: 03/31/2026
Closing Date: 6/30/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt


General Definition of Work
Performs skilled and semi-skilled work in the construction, maintenance, and repair of the City of Gastonia's water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Employees in this series operate motorized equipment, perform physical labor, maintain infrastructure, respond to emergencies, and support regulatory compliance and customer service. Work is performed under varying degrees of supervision depending on the level.


DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS BY LEVEL
Level Summary of Role UMT IEntry-level technician performing maintenance and repair tasks under close supervision using established procedures. Focused on learning water and sewer repairs, equipment operation, safety practices, and basic water/sewer functions. UMT IIIntermediate-level technicians independently operate heavy equipment around live utilities, perform complex water and sewer repairs and installations, and coordinate daily work sequences.UMT IIISenior technician with advanced experience operating heavy machinery around live utilities, mentoring junior staff, and handling the most complex excavation, water and sewer repairs, and emergency response activities.

Essential Functions/Duties


The following job functions are typical for a position of this nature at all levels. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each function. Other job functions and duties may be required as assigned.

• Operate dump trucks, backhoes, trackhoes, mini-excavators, loaders, tractors, skid steers, high-pressure flushers, air compressors, saws, and other motorized and mechanical equipment to construct, maintain, and repair water and sewer systems
• Perform excavation and installation of water and sewer lines around live utilities
• Conduct pre-trip and pre-operation inspections and routine maintenance on vehicles, tools, and equipment
• Use hand and power tools such as shovels, rakes, drills, saws, chainsaws, and tampers
• Perform physical labor including lifting, digging, shoveling, backfilling, patching asphalt, landscaping, and restoring disturbed areas
• Work in confined spaces, around traffic, and in all weather conditions
• Maintain job site safety through PPE use and adherence to OSHA, trenching/shoring, and confined space protocols
• Document work performed, equipment usage, maintenance, incidents, and accidents in electronic working-order systems
• Serve in an emergency on-call rotation and respond to water main breaks, sewer overflows, and severe weather events
• Interact courteously and professionally with the public
• UMT II and UMT III may assist in mentoring UMT I staff and coordinating workflow on complex projects

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Operation of light, medium, and heavy construction equipment
• Knowledge of water distribution and wastewater collection systems
• Understanding of safety regulations, PPE usage, and hazard recognition
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor and work in hazardous conditions
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to identify equipment issues
• Effective verbal communication and ability to read maps, work orders, and manuals

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Level Requirements UMT IHigh school diploma or GED. No prior experience requiredUMT IIHigh school diploma or GED and proven experience operating heavy equipment, including excavation, and water and sewer utility maintenance experienceUMT IIIHigh school diploma or GED and 3 + years of heavy equipment operation, including excavation, and water and sewer utility maintenance experience
CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES Level Requirements UMT INIMS IS-700 within 12 months; NC Class A CDL with Restrictions 8 & Tanker Endorsement within 90 days of hireUMT IIValid NC Class A CDL; NC Grade I Wastewater Collections or NC Grade C Distribution certification within 12 months of hire or promotionUMT IIIValid NC Class A CDL; Two certifications; NC Grade I & II Wastewater Collections OR NC Grade I Wastewater Collections and NC Grade C Distribution certification at time of hire or promotion
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
1. The physical activity of this position includes

A. Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.

B. Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

C. Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

D. Kneeling: Bending legs at the knee to come to rest on the knee or knees.

E. Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the leg and spine.

F. Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.

G. Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

H. Standing: Particularly for sustained periods.

I. Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

J. Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward.

K. Pulling: Using the upper extremities to exert force to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.

L. Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

M. Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

N. Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

O . Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.

P. Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas using the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Q . Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.

R. Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

2. The physical requirements of this position

A. Office Environment Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Office environment work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are categorized as office environment if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other Office Environment Work criteria are met.

B. Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Office Environment Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

C. Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, /or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

D. Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

E. Very Heavy Work: Exerting more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, /or over 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or over 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

3. The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception, and field of vision

A. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following. (Check all of the following which apply):? preparing and analyzing data and figures; ?accounting; ?transcription; ?computer terminal; ?extensive reading; ?visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines (including inspection); ? using measurement devices; ? assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

B. The worker is required to have visual acuity to perform one or more of the following: (Check all of the following which apply):? operate machines such as lathes, drill presses, power saws, and mills where seeing job is at or within arm's reach;? performs mechanical or skilled trades tasks of a non-repetitive nature such as carpenters, technicians, service people, plumbers, painters, mechanics, etc.

C. The worker is required to have visual acuity to be the operator of trucks, forklifts, cranes, and other equipment.

D. The worker is required to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned (i.e. custodial, food services, general laborer, etc.)

4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position

A. Theworker is subject to inside environmental conditions; Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.

B. The worker is subject to outside environmental conditions: No effective protection from weather.

C. The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

D. The worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour.

E. The worker is subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour.

F. The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout to be heard above the ambient noise level.

G. The worker is subject to vibration: Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.

H. The worker is subject to hazards: Including various physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat, or exposure to chemicals.

I. The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.

J. The worker is subject to oils: There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.

K. The worker is required to wear a respirator.

L. The worker frequently is in close quarters, crawl spaces, shafts, manholes, small-enclosed rooms, small sewage and water line pipes, and other areas that could cause claustrophobia.


M. The worker is required to function in narrow aisles or passageways.

N. None:The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in a typical office or administrative work environment).
Drug screening, criminal background, and reference checks are required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity.

The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/H)
High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
Dental
Vision
Life
Supplemental Insurance Plans
Pension (Local Government Employees' Retirement System)
401(k)
457
Short-term/Long-term Disability
Dependent Care Plan
Employee Assistance Program
On-Site Health Clinic
Employee Educational Assistance Program
Sick Leave (12 days per year)
Initial Employment Vacation: Starting at 12 days per year
Holidays (11 days per year)
Personal Day (1 day per year)

A comprehensive list of benefits can be found online at