Sewer Technician

City of Lancaster; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Pension plans

13 paid holidays

Sick, Vacation, and Personal Leave

Job summary

City of Lancaster in Lancaster, PA, is seeking a skilled worker for the Wastewater Collection System. The role involves constructing, maintaining, and repairing sewer components, with emphasis on safety and efficiency.

You will guide crews, operate heavy equipment, and ensure compliance with SOPs. Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED and at least five years of relevant experience, plus PA license requirements.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of safe practices related to Public Works.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and blueprints.
• Ability to lead field crews and coordinate tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in English reading, writing and communication.

Responsibilities

• Assemble pipe and operate heavy equipment under supervision.
• Follow safety protocols and SOPs during all duties.
• Enter confined spaces to inspect and repair sewer mains as required.
• Build forms for wastewater components and finish concrete.
• Lay bricks and blocks for DPW projects and construct sidewalks/curbs.
• Prepare alleys/roads for construction and establish trench safety.
• Oversee trench and excavation safety and shoring installations.
• Operate vehicles to haul materials and perform backfill tasks.
• Occasionally perform utility markouts as needed.

Skills

Public Works safety

Reading blueprints

Interpreting engineering drawings

Team leadership

English proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Carpentry tools

Concrete/masonry tools

Pipe installation tools

Culvert maintenance tools

Shoring equipment

Job description

Explore a rewarding career with the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania! Spanning just 7 square miles in south Central Pennsylvania, the City of Lancaster is home to nearly 60,000 diverse residents. The City oversees a range of public services including fire and police, health, housing, parks, streets, as well as water and wastewater for upwards of 120,000 customers in the surrounding region. This work is powered by nearly 600 employees who are committed to the core values of quality, teamwork, integrity, and respect. https://jobs.cityoflancasterpa.gov/

Mayor Arroyo’s Strategic Priorities

• An Economy That Works - Driving equitable growth, empowering small businesses, and creating opportunities that strengthen our community.
• Government That Delivers - Leading with integrity, accountability, and action to meet the needs of every resident and build trust in our city’s future.
• A City Built for Everyone - Ensuring safe streets, quality housing, and a community where every person has the tools they need to succeed.

Our Core Values: Quality. Teamwork. Integrity. Respect.

Primary Functions And Job Details

Performs skilled work as required for the construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, repair and replacement of components within the Wastewater Collection System which is comprised of combined, sanitary and storm sewer structures.

Examples Of Essential Duties

• Must be able to responsibly perform all field duties in the wastewater bureau, including but not limited to assembling pipe, operating heavy equipment, CCTV equipment, establishing lines, grades, and elevations, and instructing other staff on how work shall progress safely, under the Supervision of the Labor Supervisor.
• Adheres to all applicable safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Follows safe work practices in the performance of all duties and responsibilities.
• Safely enters and exits various types of OSHA defined “confined spaces” (e.g. excavations, pits and trenches; combined, sanitary and storm sewer mains and pipes; catch basins, manholes and inlets) in order to properly and safely clean, inspect, construct, maintain, repair and/or replace various components, including pipes of various material such as terra cotta, brick, plastic, etc. of the Wastewater Collection System.
• Properly builds forms necessary to construct various types of Wastewater Collection System components. Mixes, pours and finishes concrete.
• Properly lays bricks, cinder blocks, concrete masonry units and stone for various Department of Public Works projects.
• Constructs sidewalks, curbs and catch basins.
• Assists in the preparation of alleys, roads and streets for construction, paving and resurfacing by performing the work required to raise various casting (e.g. lampholes, curb stops, manholes, vent stacks and valve boxes).
• Serves as a Competent Person for a work crew and ensures Trench and Excavation Safety.
• Installs/replaces and inspects shoring equipment within excavated areas.
• Safely operates vehicles appropriate to the hauling of bricks, sand, cement, lumber, and other materials and supplies.
• Safely excavates and backfills trenches with a backhoe, trackhoe, loader, bulldozer, grader, dump truck, compactor, roller, picks and shovels.
• Safely loads and unloads pipe, materials, tools, and equipment.
• Safely operates Vactor truck in order to clean components of Wastewater Collection System.
• May be assigned utility markout responsibilities as needed.
• Can safely oversee the daily work site activities to ensure trench safety and other safeguards and considerations are in place for the safe performance of the work by themselves and others.

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduation from High School or completion of a GED is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience performing the type of work described herein, including the use of all tools related to carpentry, concrete/masonry work, specializing in pipes and/or culvert installation, maintenance, and repair.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a current valid Pennsylvania driver’s license is required.
• A class B CDL with tanker endorsement is required.
• Possession of a Class E Wastewater license is preferred. Effective August 30, 2016, new employees must obtain a DEP Class E Wastewater license within three (3) years of start in this position.
• Will obtain Excavation and Trenching Competent Person certification consistent with 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of safe practices related to Public Works.
• Knowledge of policies, rules, and regulations and the ability to recognize safety warnings and hazards is required.
• Knowledge of the locations of streets in the City and locations and characteristics of the sewer collectionsystem and related appurtenances.
• Knowledge of sewer line maintenance and repair practices and procedures.
• Proven ability to interpret sewer charts and blueprints, engineering design drawings and details, and otherrelated technical drawings.
• Ability to field locate and mark out wastewater and stormwater utilities in accordance with PA One Callregulations.
• Ability to enter and work within a manhole or within a confined space.
• Ability to operate a vehicle on private and public streets is required.
• Proven ability to work well under pressure and to maintain positive interactions is required.
• Positive interpersonal skills are required.
• Proven ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment is required.
• Ability to perform manual tasks and/or operate equipment for extended periods of time; sometimes under adverse weather conditions.
• Proven ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English is required.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and to collaborate successfully with others is required, as well as proven ability to direct field staff during normal and routine construction and maintenance procedures.
• Proven ability to adapt to new or changed situations and to show flexibility in making improvements in workprocesses and operations is required.
• Proven ability to exhibit customer-centered behaviors and to focus on customer needs is required.
• Proven ability to commit to excellence in service and to continuous improvement is required.
• Proven ability to oversee and implement Trench and Excavation Safety and utilize shoring, excavation, and safety best practices.
• Proven ability to safely assemble and disassemble shoring equipment per industry standards and manufacturer’s instructions.

Environmental Conditions

• Indoors, environmentally controlled.
• Outdoor, exposed to inclement weather and extreme temperature.
• Exposure to unpleasant odors.
• Exposure to noise, pollution.

Safety Equipment Used or Needed

• Personal Protective Equipment such as hardhats, gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, rain gear, steel toed safety shoes, rain boots and respirators.

Comments

• Works around motorized or moving equipment and machinery.
• Requires working long hours and must be available to handle emergency situations and weather events after hours, weekends and holidays as required.
• Requires manual lifting greater than or equal to 100 lbs.
• Requires the use of hand tools.
• Requires the use of air tools, hydraulic tools, and/or electric tools such as jackhammers, pavement saws, tampers.
• Assessment tests will be administered.
• This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.

Applicants must possess valid employment authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must have the ability to work on-site at City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania locations.

Employment Policy

It is the policy of the City of Lancaster to provide fair and equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants are recruited, selected and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, handicap, disability, veteran status or national origin.

Accommodations Statement for Job Applications

The City of Lancaster is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] to request a needed accommodation.

The City of Lancaster, PA provides a comprehensive benefits package for all benefits-eligible positions. Available benefits include Medical (PPO and HDHP/HSA options), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Critical Illness and Accident Insurance, Pension plans, and 457 Deferred Compensation. Employees also receive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Leave, as well as 13 paid holidays for non-essential positions. Essential positions receive bonus days in lieu of holidays. https://jobs.cityoflancasterpa.gov/benefits/