Apprentice - Utility Technician I

Charlotte Water is an enterprise department of the City of Charlotte and one of the largest public water and sewer service providers in the southeast, serving over 330,000 customer accounts with more than 1,300 employees. Our service area includes the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mint Hill, Matthews, and Pineville.

About the role

This is a one-year apprenticeship position designed to prepare the apprentice to become a Utility Technician. The role includes both on-the-job training and classroom work. Upon completion, the apprentice will perform various manual and semi-skilled tasks in construction, maintenance, and repair within the Charlotte Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems.

Responsibilities

• Performs manual and semi-skilled tasks related to construction, repair, and maintenance, including cutting streets and driveways, excavating, backfilling, and compacting areas.
• Locates utilities, digs out utilities manually or by machine, and performs simple measurements and routine safety inspections.
• Interacts with customers, receives parts and materials from warehouse personnel, and transports tools and equipment to and from job sites.
• Sets up and removes warning signs and traffic control devices.
• Operates electronic utility locators, hand and power tools, jackhammers, tampers, fire hydrants, gas monitors, air compressors, pneumatic tools, and generators.
• Maintains utility vehicles in clean, operating condition based on a checklist, and ensures a clean and safe work area.
• Sets up jet/vac units and cleans/unblocks wastewater lines.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements

• Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver’s License.
• Must obtain and maintain a City Driver’s Permit.
• Must obtain a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) permit within 6 months and a full CDL with tanker endorsement within 1 year.

Skills

• Ability to operate power tools and small equipment such as electronic locators, jackhammers, tampers, front-end loaders, chainsaws, air compressors, and generators.
• Knowledge of maintaining truck inventory and safe work areas.
• Ability to set up jet/vac units and clean/unblock wastewater lines.
• Effective interaction with Charlotte Water customers.

Physical Demands

• Ability to walk over rough terrain, jump ditches, and work in adverse conditions (hot and cold).
• Occasional lifting of up to 100 pounds and walking from 1 to 10 miles over various types of terrain.
• Work on noisy construction sites, in residential areas, and in high-traffic areas.
• Work in confined spaces and environments with heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm.

Schedule

• 1st Shift: Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM
• 2nd Shift: Monday - Friday, 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM
• On Call/Standby Shift: Hours change to 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM for one week every 6-8 weeks. Must be available 24/7 during on-call weeks.

Pay

$25.00 per hour

Benefits

• Assigned mentor/trainer
• Workplace-ready certification and customized workshops
• Career pathing opportunities
• OSHA-10 certification
• Wellness programs and on-site gym access