Utility Maintenance Technician

The City of Marion is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Utility Maintenance Technician. This is an opportunity to be a part of a dynamic experienced team of skilled professionals dedicated to the operation repair and maintenance of the Citys water distribution and sewer collection lines.

The City offers a comprehensive employee benefits package including employer-paid medical dental vision and life insurance; enrollment in the Local Government Employees Retirement System; a 5% employer contribution to a supplemental retirement plan with no required employee match; paid holidays; and paid time off.

Job Summary:

The Citys Utility Maintenance division of Public Works is responsible for the installation operation maintenance and repair of water distribution and sewer collection lines and related appurtenances including lift stations. We are seeking candidates with some experience in semi-skilled labor as well as a Class B CDL and an NC DOT-approved Work Zone Installer certification or the ability to obtain both within a specified period of time.

Detailed Description of Duties:

This position performs a variety of unskilled semi-skilled and some skilled trades tasks in the construction operation maintenance and repair of water distribution and wastewater collection lines and appurtenances and the operation maintenance and repair of pump stations. Work involves operating a variety of tools and light medium and heavy equipment to construct repair and replace sections of distribution and collection lines and other infrastructure; making daily rounds of lift stations and ensuring they are functioning properly; adding odor control; mowing grass; weed eating; cleaning around lift stations; checking and cleaning bar screens; clearing pump stations of debris; checking the generators; topping off fluids; making repairs to pump station pumps and equipment; and assisting with other assigned projects. Work may require a significant amount of record keeping of work activities especially with regard to the pump stations.

Essential duties include but are not limited to:

• Installs maintains and replaces water and sewer lines hydrants and valves; repairs main and service line breaks; ensures locates have been performed before beginning work.
• Operates construction equipment such as dump trucks loaders tampers trenchers air compression-driven equipment such as jackhammers and boring machines backhoes and other related light medium and heavy equipment; performs preventive maintenance and minor repairs to equipment; operates a variety of hand tools.
• Makes water and sewer taps; installs fire hydrants; sets meter boxes and installs meters and registers.
• Assists with determining sources of leaks and repairing leaking lines; determines if leak is in main or service line; performs maintenance and repairs on valves.
• Uses shovels to finish grading trenches for construction of water and sewer lines; fits pipe; uses hand tools and equipment to back fill trenches; ensures proper fall of sewer lines.
• Operates jet rodder machine to unstop sewers; drains lines with pressurized hoses; cleans stopped sewer lines with rods rakes and shovels; installs grease blocks; conducts smoke testing of sewer lines; operates camera to inspect sewer and drain lines for blockages or breaks.
• Installs and maintains manholes; repairs manhole rings and covers; cleans out manholes.
• Exercises water valves and hydrants; flushes hydrants to maintain water quality.
• Cleans and cuts back utility right of ways using mowers weed eaters chainsaws etc.
• Participates in snow removal and storm clean up as needed.
• Checks and inspects pump stations at least daily; makes operational adjustments or repairs when problems are detected; documents and reports problems that cannot be repaired immediately; monitors for trends in pump cycling; empties bar screen cans; washes down pits and bar screens; clears debris in and around lift stations and access roads; adds deodorizing chemicals; performs routine preventative maintenance such as greasing changing oil replacing filters packing pumps etc. Ensures all generators at the lift stations are filled with fuel and working properly; checks mission units valves floats and transducers; assists with removal of debris that can cause high wells or other problems; periodically transports screenings to transfer station as needed; cleans out wet wells.
• Coordinates schedule for pump truck to pump lift stations to prevent buildup of grease and trash.
• During storms or other emergency situations makes quick assessment of the situation and takes corrective action accordingly; notifies supervisor according to standards.
• Regulates and adjusts floats motors pumps valves and other apparatus to meet changing operating conditions.
• Pulls pumps from wet wells and dry wells using hoists and cranes.
• Performs repairs to lift station pumps and equipment. Assists contractors with larger more complex repair projects at the lift stations.
• Performs facility maintenance at lift stations; cleans and paints; mows and weed eats; uses box blade to smooth gravel; applies herbicides.
• Cleans assigned vehicles equipment and facilities.
• May occasionally assist with grounds maintenance at the surface disposal units.
• May occasionally assist with maintenance and repair projects at the WWTP.
• May perform brief periodic visual observations of equipment and processes at the Wastewater Treatment Plant to verify operation and report apparent problems.
• Assists other divisions with a variety of operational tasks including assisting Sanitation in the collection of garbage and recyclables occasionally.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines:

Interested candidates will be assessed on the following knowledge skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of the tools materials and equipment used in water distribution and wastewater collection line installation maintenance and repair work and the operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of the lift stations.
• Knowledge of modern methods used to operate and maintain water distribution and wastewater collection systems including lift stations.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions to be taken when performing maintenance and repair work on water distribution and wastewater collection systems including lift stations.
• Some knowledge of municipal water and sewer service policies practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of traffic laws ordinances and regulations pertaining to operations of motorized vehicles and ability to safely operate vehicles in accordance with North Carolina traffic laws.
• Ability to detect malfunctioning of pumps motors and other equipment by observation sound chart and gauge readings and to take proper remedial action.
• Ability to safely use common hand tools and power tools.
• Ability to safely use specialty tools to make water taps install meters make water and sewer line repairs etc.
• Ability to perform heavy physical effort for extended periods.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read line maps operation and service manuals meters charts drawings and schematics.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens supervisors and other employees.
• Ability to prepare written records of work activities.

Minimal Education Certifications and Licenses:

• Graduation from high school and some experience in semi-skilled work installing maintaining and repairing water and sewer lines and/or in the mechanical or plumbing trades and/or operating and maintaining lift stations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possession of a valid class B commercial North Carolina drivers license (CDL) or ability to obtain within specified period of time.
• NC DOT-approved Work Zone Installer certification or ability to obtain within specified period of time.

How to Apply:

Email completed City of Marion Employment Application to:

Kathleen Nolan ().

Applications are available in the Job Details section on the right of this posting.

Required Experience:

IC