Utility Technician I

About the role

Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, American States Utility Services, Inc. contracts with the federal government to provide water and wastewater services on military installations throughout the United States. The company serves installations home to nearly 350,000 military and civilian personnel and families.

Responsibilities

• Performs activities related to water and wastewater system maintenance, including water quality and water supply inspections, installation, repair, replacement, testing, and certification of water mains, water services, water meters, fire hydrants, backflow protection devices, and other related water system assets.
• Inspects, installs, repairs, and replaces sewer lines, lateral cleanouts, manholes, collection mains, and operates video equipment on sewer lines to determine system deficiencies and other related wastewater system assets.
• Inspects sewer lift stations; ensures SCADA alarms are communicating; conducts visual inspections of wet wells and pump cycling and float conditions.
• Responds to Service Orders related to line locations. Marks water and wastewater infrastructures, as well as subsidiary-owned electric lines near pump stations and their respective emergency generator assemblies.
• Interacts with the public in a professional manner. Notifies customers of scheduled and emergency outages. Proficient at interpreting technical and operational documents, manuals, blueprints, system maps, construction specs, and standards.
• Reads meters manually and/or using automated equipment. Responds quickly and accurately to service requests. Operates heavy machinery, including dump truck, Vactor truck, and backhoe, as well as other related equipment, in performing skilled and semiskilled duties for water and wastewater maintenance.
• Timely completes work orders, forms, records, and other associated paperwork both manually and digitally. Performs basic preventative maintenance of heavy machinery; greasing, fluid level checks, pre-trip inspections, etc.
• Analyzes and evaluates pump equipment operation. Troubleshoots malfunctions. Monitors water supply and wastewater operations. Performs moderately complex tasks to ensure compliance with water quality, wastewater compliance, and environmental regulations.
• Updates and executes System Flushing Program, Cross-Connection Control Program, Spill Response Program, and Preventative Maintenance Program. May perform routine sampling of both water supply and wastewater systems.
• Operates leak detection equipment and analyzes data to complete assigned duties. Performs routine sampling of both water supply and wastewater systems. Reads and interprets technical & operational documents, manuals, blueprints, and diagrams.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Position Skills

• Knowledge and comprehension of safety practices for general construction and handling of all materials used in water and wastewater system operations, to include liquid and gaseous chemicals, as well as hazardous solids, confined space entry, competent excavation, electrical safety, etc., while being under supervision.
• Familiar with many aspects of field activities. Familiar with many aspects of the water supply and wastewater collection systems.
• Familiar and proficient, or able to become proficient, with the operation of heavy machinery, including dump truck, backhoe, Vactor truck, sewer jet, and rodding equipment.
• Communication skills including demonstrated fluency with reading, writing, and speaking the English language. Must be able to effectively communicate with customers in order to cogently resolve any issues or concerns. Interact with the public in a professional manner.
• Basic Microsoft Office skills preferred.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Basic math skills required.

Minimum Position Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of two (2) years as a Utility Technician I, or related position, in the water and/or wastewater industry.
• Valid Driver’s License issued by the state where employed. Must be able to obtain applicable commercial Driver’s License issued by the state where employed within 6 months of hire date and keep current thereafter.
• Must attain and keep current an interim level water and/or wastewater operator certification required by the State where employed. If the State doesn’t require certifications, an acceptable industry standard will be used for required certification.
• Backflow Device Tester and Repair Certification issued by the state where employed may also be required.
• To comply with regulatory requirements, must take and pass Federal OSHA, US Army Corps of Engineers, and / or State Mandated Safety training, with annual refresher courses, as required by the associated regulations for this position. Such training will be provided by the Company and compliance is mandatory.
• Understand regulatory requirements and have increasing responsibility to ensure all regulations are met with counsel from supervisory staff.

Physical Requirements

• May Include Working in confined spaces.
• Working in areas exposed to noise and chemicals.
• Working in extreme weather conditions.
• Lifting and carrying loads up to 50 lbs.
• Climbing inspection ladders.
• Performing work up to the limits of elevated water storage tanks.
• Standing, sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling, grasping, fine dexterity, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, bending, twisting, climbing, balancing, vision including color determination, hearing, foot & hand controls.

Benefits

Our Company supports our employees with rich benefit programs and resources to help them thrive today and prepare for tomorrow. Benefit options include medical, dental, and vision plans with the Company currently paying 85% of the monthly premium for employees and their eligible dependents. We also offer paid vacation and sick time and twelve Company paid holidays per year. To help our employees plan for the future, we offer both a 401(k) retirement plan as well as a Defined Contribution Profit Sharing retirement plan. Additional benefits include life, AD&D, and LTD insurance as well as health savings account and flexible spending plans.

Compensation Information

The compensation range provided is in compliance with state specific laws. Multiple factors are used to determine the actual starting rate of pay for all of our positions, including specific skills, years of experience, education, certification(s), and other job related factors.

Note

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with special needs to perform the essential functions of this job. The responsibilities of this position will involve access to information that may be considered confidential, private and sensitive. Therefore, the individual filling this position will be required to both allow and pass a background check.