Sewer Technician

City of Lancaster (PA); Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Lancaster (PA) seeks a skilled Wastewater Field Worker to perform construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair in the Wastewater Collection System. Responsibilities include assembling pipe, operating heavy equipment, CCTV gear, trench safety, and guiding staff to ensure safe progress and adherence to SOPs.

The role requires high school completion and at least five years’ hands-on experience with carpentry, concrete/masonry, and pipes/culvert work, plus valid PA driver’s license

Qualifications

• Graduation from High School or GED is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience performing the described work, including carpentry, concrete/masonry, and pipes/culvert installation, maintenance, and repair.

Responsibilities

• Assemble pipe and operate heavy equipment to support wastewater collection work.
• Instruct staff on safe progress of tasks under supervision.
• Safely enter confined spaces and perform inspections, maintenance and repairs.
• Construct forms, lay bricks and masonry units, and build sidewalks/curbs as needed.
• Safely operate vehicles and excavate with equipment such as backhoes and Vactor trucks.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Pipe installation

Concreting

Trench safety

Blueprints interpretation

PA One Call locate

Team leadership

English literacy

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Vactor truck

Backhoe/Trackhoe

Loader

Dump truck

Pavement saws

Job description

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.

• 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 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.