Apprentice - Utility Technician Level II / Weekends

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 across the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mint Hill, Matthews, and Pineville.

About the role

This is a six-month apprenticeship position with the goal of preparing the apprentice to be a Utility Technician. The role includes on-the-job training and classroom work. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, the apprentice will perform various manual and semi-skilled tasks in construction, maintenance, and repair within the Charlotte Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems. Apprentices will be primarily assigned to second shift and weekend operations to support staffing needs.

Responsibilities

• Performs manual and semi-skilled tasks related to construction, repair, and maintenance, including cutting streets and driveways, manually excavating, backfilling, and compacting excavated areas.
• Locates utilities on the job site, digs out utilities manually or by machine, and performs simple measurements, interprets meter readings, and conducts routine safety inspections.
• Receives parts and materials from warehouse personnel and interacts with utility customers.
• Transports materials, 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, generators, and other equipment.
• Maintains utility vehicles in clean, operating condition based on a checklist, and ensures truck inventory is up to date.
• Maintains a clean and safe work area.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements

• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License.
• Must obtain and maintain a City Driver’s Permit.
• Must have a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) and obtain a license with tanker endorsement within six (6) months.
• Prior construction, utility, or related experience preferred.

Skills

• Ability to operate power tools and small equipment such as electronic locators, jackhammers, tampers, fire hydrants, front-end loaders, chainsaws, air compressors, and generators.
• Knowledge of maintaining truck inventory and safe work areas.
• Knowledge of setting up jet/vac units and cleaning/unblocking wastewater lines.
• Ability to effectively interact with Charlotte Water customers.

Physical Demands

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

Pay

$25.00 per hour.

Schedule

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM (40 hours with mandatory overtime).

Benefits

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