Heavy Motor Equipment Operator / Public Works Laborer

Somerville; Somerville, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 2,409,000 - 3,259,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision care

Pension plan

Tuition reimbursement

Free Blue Bikes

Job summary

City of Somerville is hiring for a water distribution maintenance role. The job involves installing, repairing, and maintaining water mains, hydrants, and related infrastructure, with emphasis on safety and proper procedures.

Responsibilities include operating hand tools, assisting in emergency repairs, and reading blueprints for locating utilities. Requires a valid MA CDL-B and pursuing a D1 Water Distribution license; physical labor is required.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid Massachusetts Class B Driving License with a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• Must obtain a D1 Water Distribution license issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure.
• Prior water utility experience preferred but not required.
• Must be in good health and able to perform hard physical work.

Responsibilities

• Install, repair, and maintain water mains, service lines, hydrants, valves, and related infrastructure.
• Operate hand tools and small power equipment to dig trenches, lay pipe, and backfill.
• Support water main break repairs and emergency response activities as directed.
• Read blueprints and locate underground water and sewer utilities; mark mains and services.
• Perform routine maintenance on tools, equipment, and vehicles; observe safety procedures.

Job description

DUTIES:

Performs a variety of manual labor tasks related to the maintenance, repair, and construction of the City’s water distribution system. Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Assisting in the installation, repair, and maintenance of water mains, service lines, hydrants, valves, and any other appurtenances and related infrastructure using whatever methods, tools, and procedures are necessary to complete the task in a safe, proper, and proficient manner.
• Operating and using hand tools and small power equipment to dig trenches, break pavement, cut and lay pipe, and backfill excavations.
• Assisting and supporting specialized units or contractors with water main break repairs, including, but not limited to, preparing or repairing work sites, shutting off valves, and checking or adjusting system components.
• Responding to emergencies as directed and assisting in emergency response activities as related to system failures and/or crisis situations.
• Reading water meters in the absence of the Meter Technician and conducting valve exercising.
• Reading and following specifications on engineering blueprints, sketches and diagrams of the water and sewer system.
• Locating, operating, repairing, and maintaining underground utilities and controls related to the water infrastructure.
• Mark out water mains and services.
• Performing minor maintenance functions on equipment, including, but not limited to, checking and maintaining air pressures and fluid levels, lubricating mechanical joints and applying necessary greases, and routinely cleaning vehicle exterior and interior.
• Assisting with customer response and problem resolution as directed by supervisor as related to water system issues and reporting such issues to foreman.
• Assisting in the safe collection and transport of water samples in compliance with all Environmental Protection Agency and State DEP safe drinking water regulations (with training).
• Transporting pipes, gates, service boxes and any other water appurtenances to job sites.
• Assisting in the unloading of parts from deliveries.
• Performing snow removal around hydrants and water/sewer facilities when necessary for department projects or public safety and spreading salt or sand as needed.
• Assisting other City departments as directed, including loading and unloading materials and equipment.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers and the general public.
• Use electronic work order system.
• Completing routine maintenance of tools, equipment, and vehicles.
• Observing safety procedures and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Responding to emergencies as directed.
• Reporting any emergencies to a Foreman.
• Performing related tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to receive and interpret written and oral instructions and to give written and oral reports to supervisors.
• Must have ability to use tools of trade in a safe manner.
• Must be in good health, dependable, and able to do hard physical work.
• Must possess a valid Massachusetts Class B Driving License with a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• Must obtain a D1 Water Distribution license issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure.
• Must have a safe driving record.
• Prior experience in water utility work is preferred but not required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work requires agility and physical strength, ability to function in close quarters, and is subject to outside environmental conditions, including wet, hot and cold weather. Worker is subject to noise, vibrations, hazards and atmospheric conditions including fumes, dust and air contaminants. Work requires some agility and physical strength, such as moving in, about or over rough terrain, or standing or walking most of the work period.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, crawl, sit, talk, move about, hear and speak. Noise level may be high when operating power equipment. Employee is exposed to outside weather conditions as a regular part of job. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and greater than 50 pounds using appropriate equipment.

Motor Skills:
While performing the duties, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with City staff. The position requires balancing, pushing, pulling, grasping, feeling and repetitive motion to complete tasks.

Visual Skills:
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employee is required to properly use such safety equipment as is appropriate to the work to prevent injury to self or others. Visual acuity is required to operate motor vehicles and heavy equipment.
Hours: Full-Time
Salary: $1,197.85 weekly, plus benefits
Union: SMEU B
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Pre-Employment Requirement: This is a safety-sensitive position. Mustpass a driving history check and pre-employment drug screening / physical prior to employment.
Date Posted: March 4th, 2026

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The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or [e-mail].

Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:

• MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
• Completion of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees

Overview of Total Rewards:

• 4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions. Union positions vary by contract. Please note, police officers are members of the SPEA union. Public Health Nurses are part of Union A (SMEA).
• Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
• Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
• Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Long term disability through Sun Life
• Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
• Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
• Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
• Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
• Annual cancer screening & wellness release
• Somerville Retirement Pension System
• Tuition reimbursement
• MBTA pass program
• FREE Blue Bikes membership
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.