Hydrant Maintenance Operator- 26-111

Charleston Water System; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 46,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Charleston Water System is seeking a Hydrant Maintenance Operator to perform hydrant and valve maintenance, testing, and data collection in the Water Distribution department. The role includes hydrant painting, flow testing, and field documentation, with on-call duties and potential emergency response.

Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, a D-level Water Distribution Operator’s License within 24 months, and a valid SC driver’s license.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• D level Water Distribution Operator’s License within 24 months of hire.
• Valid South Carolina Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Performs hydrant maintenance and painting; repairs or lubrication of hydrants and accessories.
• Inspects and tests hydrants to ensure proper operation and document deficiencies.
• Performs hydraulic testing to assess flow capabilities and locate deficiencies.
• Locates valves and water mains in the field using detection equipment and maintains permanent records.
• Prepares reports and communicates findings to stakeholders.
• Responds to water quality concerns and assists with customer inquiries and emergency conditions.

Skills

hydrant maintenance

valve operation

hydraulic testing

data collection

report preparation

customer service

emergency response

computer literacy

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Mainframe Database

CMMS

Job description

Job Description

Hydrant Maintenance Operator

Job Announcement No: 26-111

Vacant Position(s): 1

Department: Water Distribution

Applications Accepted through Sunday, September 6, 2026

Salary Range: $45,760.00 ($22.00/hr.) - $68,640.00 ($33.00/hr.)

Hiring Range: $45,760.00 ($22.00/hr.) - $57,200.00 ($27.50/hr.)

Grade: 105

Hours: 7:00 am – 3:30 pm

Position Summary

Under limited supervision performs hydrant and valve maintenance. Working on a two-person UDF or Valve Operation crew or as a one-person crew performing hydrant painting and miscellaneous preventive maintenance procedures. Other associated duties include performing hydrant flow tests and minor hydrant repairs as well as valve box adjustments.

Essential Functions

• Performs preventive maintenance and repairs on fire hydrants, i.e. cleaning, painting, repair, replacement and/or lubrication of nozzles, caps, operating nuts, stems, gaskets, chains, etc.
• Inspection and testing of fire hydrant to ensure proper operation and to itemize deficiencies.
• Perform hydraulic testing on fire hydrants to establish flow capabilities, and to locate flow deficiencies.
• Collection of pertinent hydrant data through office and field investigation to become permanent records within the mainframe database, i.e. hydrant number, manufacturer, model, connections, year, valve opening size, depth, accurate location, etc.
• Operation of distribution and transmission valves to ensure proper position and operation.
• Prepares reports.
• Locate valves and water mains in the field using electronic detection equipment.
• Follows up on deficiencies found to ensure repairs are made promptly and correctly.
• Help to solve customer complaints and problems as well as those reported by local fire departments.
• Responds to customer water quality concerns.
• May be required to work during emergency conditions.
• Regular attendance is required.
• Job performance must conform to all CWS policies and procedures.
• Specific knowledge of CWS Environmental Management System Policy and Procedures.

Additional Duties

• Ability to operate a personal computer and/or keyboard for inputting into the Mainframe Database and CMMS (Computer Maintenance Management System).
• Ability to perform water quality testing in accordance with DHEC regulations.
• Subject to 24-hour on call.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements, Activities, and Working Conditions

• Ability to operate and maintain motor vehicles.
• Constantly works in internal / external environmental conditions. Subject to atmospheric conditions of one or more of the following that affect the respiratory system or skin: Fumes (paint), odors, dusts, gases, etc. Personnel Protective Equipment Required.
• Constantly positions self to move, traverse in the field as necessary to perform required work.
• Frequently positions self to maneuver objects weighing up to 30 lbs and occasionally weighing up to 60 lbs. Objects greater than 50 lbs requires a two-person operation.
• Frequently positions self to use up to 50 ft lbs of torque and up to 200 ft lbs of torque occasionally, to operate valve, hydrants, etc.
• Considerable movement and traversing involved up to 6 miles per day frequently and in excess of 8 hours per day occasionally at work sites on unpaved streets, uneven ground and cluttered work areas.
• Ability to properly use and maneuver various powered and non-powered tools and/or equipment (to include but not limited to: shovels, wrenches, oversized pipe wrenches, assorted small wrenches, bush ax, weed eater, metal files, etc).
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing, verbally and with a 2-way radio, to include comprehension of complex oral and written instruction.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make fine distinctions in sound, such as when making adjustments on equipment.
• Routinely ascend/descend a ladder to climb in and out of excavations, embankments, meter vaults, manholes, confined spaces, etc.
• Must be able to make visual observations in daylight and night.
• Routinely and safely operate computer to include desktop and tough notebook laptops in the field.
• Subject to noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level. Hearing Protection Required.
• Subject to vibrations. Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities of whole body.
• Must be able to wear Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined in the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) to perform the required essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or GED required. One (1) year of general maintenance experience preferred.
• Prior work record indicating dependability and conscientiousness.

Licenses, Certifications, Registrations

• “D” level Water Distribution Operator’s License required within 24 months of hire.
• Valid South Carolina Driver’s License required.

Training Needs

• OSHA and Departmental safety training as required.
• Skills Based Training
• Standard Operating Instruction (SOI) per department requirements
• ISO 14001 standards for department and company.
• See Department Competency and Training Matrix for this position

Potential Career Path

• Unidirectional Flushing Foreman
• Distribution System Technician

ELIGIBILITY FOR PROMOTION TO VARIOUS POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMISSION DEPENDS UPON INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATIONS, AND NOTED JOB PROGRESSIONS ARE NO GUARANTEE OF CAREER PATH TO THESE OR ANY OTHER JOB(S) AT THE COMMISSION.