Utility Systems Worker (Line Maintenance)

Salary: $35,092.00 - $55,200.00 Annually
Location : Public Utilities Operations Center, Benton Road, Suffolk, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 04550
Department: PUBLIC UTILITIES-LINE MAINT
Opening Date: 06/12/2026
Closing Date: 6/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


Description

Under general supervision, performs specialized maintenance work for the Public Utilities Department. Employees in this class perform work such as operating equipment, installing and maintaining water and sewer lines and equipment, and maintaining equipment and facilities in the Line Maintenance, Water Treatment Plant Production, or Maintenance divisions. Employee must exercise initiative and some independent judgment in completing assigned tasks. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy and firmness in contact with customers and the general public.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.


The City of Suffolk is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace

Essential Job Functions

• On-call availability after hours.
• Operates motorized equipment used in the maintenance and distribution operations of the Public Utilities Department, including a backhoe, ditching machines, boring machines, jackhammers, lawn mowers, and other equipment used in the installation and repair of water and sewer mains, water services, pumps, valve boxes, hydrants, and associated fixtures and inspects and performs minor maintenance on equipment.
• Repairs water and sewer systems; repairs and performs maintenance on valves, hydrants and manholes; assists skilled laborers/mechanics with more complicated repairs to and maintenance of distribution systems.
• Backfills and levels ditches and excavations; grades and repairs roads affected by water and sewer repair.
• Performs maintenance on water and sewer facilities, including repairing vacuum systems, applying degreaser in man holes, and releasing pressure from sewer lines.
• Assists lead worker in responding to calls for after hours or emergency repair work.
• Inspects vehicles and reports any problems.
• Prepares related paperwork and reports and assists in recordkeeping and log maintenance.
• May perform some carpentry duties.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications
1 year of experience in water or sewer maintenance or grounds keeping or closely related work ; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Valid Driver's license required.
Supplemental Information

• Knowledge of ditching machines, boring machines, jackhammers, concrete and pipe saws and other equipment used in water and sewer system maintenance.
• Knowledge of water and sewer line maintenance work.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards involved and proper safety precautions necessary for the proper operation of varied construction and maintenance equipment.
• Knowledge of the tools, materials and supplied used in the repair and maintenance of a variety of water distribution and collection and sewer fixtures.
• Skilled in the operation of trucks and motorized equipment. Is skilled in the servicing and care of motorized equipment.
• Ability to perform minor maintenance on water distribution and collection equipment and fixtures.
• Ability to use equipment and tools necessary to locate and unearth water and sewer fixtures. Is able to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform limited supervisory duties.
• Ability to train less skilled workers in the safe operation of motorized equipment used in water distribution system maintenance.
• Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods of time, possible under arduous conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to speak and signal to people to convey or exchange information of a general nature.
• Ability to use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculates ratios, rates and percents.
• Ability to read routine sentences, instructions, regulations, procedures, or work orders; writes routine sentences and completes routine job forms and incident reports; speaks routine sentences using proper grammar.
• Ability to make a few decisions, affecting the individual and a few co-workers; work in a stable environment with clear and uncomplicated written/oral instructions but with some variations from the routine.
• Ability to perform semi-skilled work involving set procedures and rules but with frequent problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results or occasional exposure to unusual pressure.
• Ability to make moderate impact decisions - affects those in work unit.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress and/or emergency situations.

Performance Evaluation Criteria

• Quality of Work
• Quantity of Work
• Dependability
• Attendance
• Initiative and Enthusiasm
• Judgment
• Cooperation
• Relationships
• Coordination of Work
• Safety

Physical Requirements
Heavy work that involves constantly lifting, shoveling, and carrying 35 to 50 pounds on a regular and recurring basis and exerting 100 pounds of force on a frequent basis. Handles or uses machines, tools, or equipment requiring moderate instruction and experience such as large shop equipment and machines, vehicles, light trucks; or may repair power tools and light equipment. Works indoors or outdoors in areas where fumes and noxious odors are generated. Responsibility for safety and health of others and for occasional enforcement of the laws and standards of public health and safety. Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using heavy motorized machinery. Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as heavy motorized machinery. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Compares or inspects items against a standard. Responsible for only small quantities of low cost items or supplies where opportunities for achieving economies or preventing loss are negligible.
Seasonal Employees- No Benefits
Part-time Employees - Sick Leave (See below)
Full Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits;

Retirement (Virginia Retirement System employer) for employees hired on or after 1/1/14 - Hybrid Members
Hybrid plan members contribute 4 percent of creditable compensation to the defined benefit plan and 1 percent to the defined contribution plan each month. Members may voluntarily contribute up to an additional 4 percent in 0.5 percent increments to the defined contribution plan each month. Members can increase or decrease their voluntary contributions on a quarterly basis. With the mandatory and voluntary contributions to the defined contribution component of the plan, members can contribute a maximum of 5 percent with a 3.5 percent match from the employer. Members invest in various investment options that best fit their needs.
Vested after 5 years in the defined benefit part of the plan. Vested in phases based on years in the Defined Contribution part of the Plan. The retirement eligibility for a full or reduced retirement pension in the Hybrid Plan is very detailed. Please contact the Virginia Retirement System or the Human Resources Department for details.

Paid Time Off (PTO) Yearly earnings
120 Hours (1-59 months), 144 Hours (60-119 months), 168 Hours (120- 179 months), 192 Hours (180 and over)
Sick Leave
Part Time employees earn 4 hours per month Sick leave accrues at the end of the month and may be accrued with no ceiling.

Personal Leave
All regular full time employees are granted 24 hours of personal leave each calendar year. Personal leave must be preapproved and is not cumulative.
Health Insurance
Coverage available for you and your eligible dependents using pre-tax payroll deductions if elected.
Supplemental Insurances
Employees may purchase the following supplemental insurance policies: short term and long term disability, cancer, accident, supplemental hospitalization, and group universal life insurance.
Employer Sponsored Short Term and Long Term Disability
Provides disability coverage for employees work and non-work related disabilities. Work related disabilities are covered starting on day one (1). Non work related disabilities are covered starting on day eight (8), after you have been employed for one year.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees may participate in the Health Reimbursement, Dependent Care Reimbursement and Premium Reimbursement Accounts. All deductions are made on a pre-tax basis and will reduce your taxable income.
Life Insurance
The city pays the entire premium for life insurance coverage in the amount of 2 times annual salary for natural death and 4 times annual salary for accidental death.
Optional Life Insurance
Employees have the option of electing additional life insurance coverage in the amount of 1, 2, 3 or 4 times their annual salary. Employees may only purchase optional life insurance on spouses and children if they are enrolled in optional life insurance for themselves.


Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
12 weeks of job protected leave for leaves approved in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act. Employees receive continuation of health insurance, job protection and consideration for a comparable job when available, or an equivalent job, upon return to work.
Funeral Leave
24 hours of paid leave of absence in case of death in immediate family.
Holidays
Suffolk follows the Virginia State holiday calendar as set by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Jury Duty
Time off with pay with difference between jury pay and regular pay or use annual leave and keep check.
457 Deferred Compensation, ROTH IRA, Traditional IRA
Offered through ICMA Retirement Corporation as a way to shelter a portion of your salary from income taxes and save for retirement.
Employee Assistance Program
Offers employees and immediate family members (3) free, confidential counseling sessions related to a broad range of issues such as marital or family conflict, job or personal stress, alcohol or drug abuse, financial or legal worries, etc.

Worker's Compensation
Should an employee have an on the job injury, he/she could be eligible for Workmen's Compensation Benefits, except in cases of willful neglect.

Pay Days
Employees will be paid on the 15th and last working day of each month.
Credit Union
A Suffolk Credit Union is available to employees.
Legal Services
Employees may prepay for access to legal assistance.
Notary Public Services
Services available in the Human Resources Department.

Alternative Work Schedule For some positions -Offers 4 Alternative Work Schedule options to provide employees with greater control over their personal and professional time, as well as reducing absences.
01


Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have at least 1 to 2 years of experience in the use of heavy motorized equipment, preferably in water/sewer maintenance/grounds keeping work?

• Yes
• No

03


Which of the following best describes your plumbing experience?

• 0 to less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• 6 or more years

04


This position requires on-call availability after hours. Will your schedule accommodate this?

• Yes
• No

Required Question