Service Authority - Utility Crew Leader (Amherst, VA; Madison Heights, VA)

Amherst County Government; Amherst, Madison Heights (VA, VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Amherst County Service Authority is seeking a skilled Utility Crew Leader to guide water and wastewater crews in Amherst, VA. This hands-on leadership role requires operating equipment, troubleshooting field issues, and ensuring safe, efficient project completion.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in water/wastewater operations, 2+ years leading crews, and a valid Virginia driver’s license. CDL/VDOT/CPR certifications are encouraged and may be pursued within set timelines.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Virginia driver’s license (current, valid).
• Knowledge of mechanical equipment and safety procedures, including hand tools and light power tools.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in water/wastewater operations and equipment.
• Minimum 2 years of experience leading or supervising construction crews.
• Ability to read technical manuals, drawings, and specs.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations accurately.
• Effective communication, both oral and written.
• Ability to obtain VDOT Flagging certification within 1 year.
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR within 1 year.
• Ability to obtain a CDL within 2 years.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise crews performing water and wastewater construction, maintenance, and repair.
• Schedule, prioritize, assign, and inspect crew work.
• Lead installation of water and sewer mains, services, meters, and related infrastructure.
• Lead repairs of damaged mains and related infrastructure.
• Locate and mark underground utilities.
• Maintain and troubleshoot water and wastewater equipment and facilities.
• Oversee fleet trucks and heavy equipment maintenance.
• Troubleshoot infrastructure, equipment, and mechanical issues.

Skills

Mechanical knowledge

Safety procedures

Written and oral communication

Reading technical manuals

Arithmetic calculations

Field troubleshooting

Vehicle operation

Team leadership

First aid awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Water and/or wastewater operator license (preferred)

Tools

Hand tools

Light power tools

Job description

Service Authority - Utility Crew Leader (Amherst, VA; Madison Heights, VA)

AMHERST COUNTY SERVICE AUTHORITY
NOW HIRING: UTILITY CREW LEADER
Starting Pay: $49,447+ to commensurate with relevant experience

Lead the crew. Solve problems. Keep our community's water and sewer systems running.

Amherst County Service Authority (ACSA) is seeking an experienced Utility Crew Leader to lead our water and wastewater maintenance and construction crews.

This is a working supervisor position. You won't just be giving directions from the sidelines — you'll be right alongside your crew installing and repairing water and sewer infrastructure, operating equipment, troubleshooting problems, and maintaining ACSA's vehicles and equipment.

The Crew Leader is responsible for scheduling, assigning, prioritizing, supervising, and inspecting crew work while ensuring that projects are completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with ACSA procedures.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead and supervise crews performing water and wastewater construction, maintenance, and repair.
• Schedule, prioritize, assign, and inspect work performed by utility maintenance and construction crews.
• Lead the installation of water and sewer mains, service lines, meters, valves, backflow preventers, cleanouts, and other infrastructure.
• Lead repairs and replacements of damaged or aging water and wastewater mains, services, and related infrastructure.
• Locate and mark underground utilities.
• Lead scheduled maintenance of water and wastewater equipment and facilities, including pumps, controls, and variable frequency drives.
• Lead maintenance and repairs of fleet trucks and heavy equipment.
• Troubleshoot water and wastewater infrastructure, equipment, and mechanical problems.
• Perform basic mechanical and electrical troubleshooting and repairs.
• Cut metal with torches and weld to repair equipment or fabricate parts.
• Operate vehicles, heavy equipment, power tools, and other equipment used in utility operations.
• Lead the loading and unloading of treatment chemicals, materials, tools, and equipment.
• Maintain accurate records of water and wastewater operations.
• Respond appropriately to accidents and emergencies, including providing first aid and contacting 911 when necessary.
• Identify safety concerns and work with ACSA management to determine safe and efficient solutions.
• Ensure crew members follow ACSA standard operating procedures and safety requirements.
• Protect ACSA infrastructure, adjacent properties, the public, and fellow employees while performing work.

YOU'LL BE A HANDS-ON LEADER

This isn't a desk job.

The Utility Crew Leader is expected to work alongside the crew and participate in daily operations. You'll use your experience and technical knowledge to recognize unusual situations, troubleshoot problems, determine appropriate solutions, and know when to call in additional support.

You should be comfortable both leading people and doing the work yourself.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Required:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Current, valid Virginia driver's license.
• Knowledge of mechanical equipment and safety procedures, including hand tools and light power tools.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in construction, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment plants, pump stations and related equipment, water and wastewater piping, and heavy equipment operation.
• Minimum 2 years of experience leading or supervising construction crews performing similar work.
• Ability to read and understand technical manuals, drawings, specifications, and related materials.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations accurately.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers and crew members.
• Ability to obtain VDOT Traffic Control Flagger certification within one year of employment.
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification within one year of employment.
• Ability to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within two years of employment.

Preferred:

• Water and/or wastewater operator license(s) are highly valued.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

We're looking for an experienced utility professional who can lead a crew, troubleshoot problems, operate equipment, and make sound decisions in the field.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have strong water and wastewater utility experience.
• Be comfortable leading and working alongside a crew.
• Have strong mechanical and equipment knowledge.
• Be able to assess a problem and determine a safe, practical solution.
• Take safety seriously and lead by example.
• Communicate clearly with both crew members and management.
• Be dependable and able to respond when emergencies occur.
• Take pride in maintaining public infrastructure and providing an essential community service.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is physically demanding, outdoor work. The position involves bending, stooping, lifting, and periodic repeated lifting of 50 pounds or more. Work may be performed in heat, cold, rain, darkness, water and wastewater, chemicals, overgrown areas, and around equipment, exhaust fumes, noise, and vibrations.

The Crew Leader may encounter dirt, grease, sewage, chemicals, water under pressure, heavy equipment, power tools, vegetation, animals, insects, and other outdoor hazards.

SCHEDULE & EMERGENCY RESPONSE

The Utility Crew Leader works a 10-hour/4-day work week and participates in a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week on-call rotation, including nights, holidays, weekends, and periods of severe weather, to respond to water and wastewater emergencies.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY

Water and wastewater infrastructure is something our community depends on every single day. As a Utility Crew Leader, you'll have the opportunity to lead a skilled team, solve real-world problems, work with your hands, and help keep essential services running safely and reliably.

If you're an experienced utility professional who is ready to take the lead, we'd like to hear from you.

Position: Utility Crew Leader
Employer: Amherst County Service Authority
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

This is a management position.

This is a full time position.