Utilities Field Specialist - Water Distribution (Maintenance Repair Crew)

About the role

The City of Richmond's Department of Public Utilities Water Distribution Division is seeking a highly enthusiastic entry-level Utilities Field Specialist for the day shift (7:00 am - 3:30 pm) team. This position is responsible for providing, maintaining, and repairing the City's water distribution system, including emergency response to water leaks on mains and services. Hours may vary based on department needs. Employees in this classification will be required to work rotating weekends and holidays as scheduled.

This is an essential personnel position requiring the selected candidate to report to work for emergency and on-call duty in response to inclement weather, natural disasters, disruptions in the water distribution system, and other urgent events. The selected candidate will be required to work 24-hour on-call, weekend, and holiday call duty as scheduled.

Responsibilities

• Installing and repairing water service fire hydrants, meters, lateral/main, sampling stations, valves, and all other water assets.
• Using various hand tools, hydraulic tampers, compressors, pneumatic air, and power tools.
• Operating heavy equipment and trucks, including backhoe, crane truck, excavator, single and tandem axle dump trucks with trailers.
• Reading, interpreting, and executing plans by following detailed technical illustrations such as maps, surveys, and diagrams.
• Following established safety procedures and protocols.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• One year of experience in water pipelines/plumbing.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications.
• Requires a commercial driver's license (Class B or higher) within 6 months of hire. A Class A CDL is required to progress into the highest broadband level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two to three years of experience working around utilities and repairing water infrastructure.
• Three to five years of plumbing and/or pipefitting experience.
• Experience with operating various equipment (e.g., backhoe, dump trucks, crane trucks, or rubber tire roller).
• Experience working on utility lines.
• At least two years of experience performing routine maintenance checks on equipment and machinery.
• Valid Driver's License.

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of water pipeline maintenance and repair (e.g., placing a sleeve to stop a leak), pipe fitting, plumbing, and pipe materials (e.g., ductile iron, copper, cast iron).
• Knowledge of Miss Utility Laws and OSHA Regulations.
• Demonstrated skill using hand tools (e.g., shovels, wrenches), heavy equipment (e.g., backhoes, dump trucks), and power tools (e.g., jackhammer, pipe saw, water pump).
• Demonstrated skill in oral and written communication, and driving a work truck (CDL required).
• Ability to identify hazardous situations, follow standard operating procedures, and multitask.
• Ability to work outside in summer and winter conditions and lift up to 50 lbs.

Benefits

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS).
• Language Incentive.
• Referral Bonus.
• Tuition Assistance Program.

Pay

The anticipated hiring range is $45,285 - $60,375.

Schedule

Day shift: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm. Hours may vary based on department needs. Rotating weekends and holidays required. 24-hour on-call, weekend, and holiday call duty as scheduled.

Working Conditions

This role involves exposure to environmental hazards, including travel within and outside the City of Richmond, hazardous physical conditions (e.g., mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations), atmospheric conditions (e.g., fumes, odors, dust, gases, poor ventilation), inadequate lighting, intense noise, and disruptive or threatening environments.

Physical requirements include performing detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks with frequent interruptions under time constraints. The employee must regularly reach, stand, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, talk, see, and hear. Frequent climbing, balancing, stooping, crouching, crawling, walking, and using substantial repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and fingers are required. This classification is considered heavy work, exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 20 pounds constantly.