Stormwater Pipe Journeyman

Pinellas County Government; Florida; On-site; USD 56,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

RPMGlobal is seeking a Stormwater Journeyman in Clearwater, FL to lead a small field crew in the construction, maintenance, and repair of stormwater systems. The role focuses on open-cut pipe work, culvert restoration, and concrete drainage structures, with emphasis on safety and on-site leadership.

You will operate survey and leveling equipment, install various pipe types to design elevations, and mentor crew members while ensuring quality and productivity in all tasks.

Qualifications

• Three years of skilled experience in public works construction, underground utility pipe laying, or stormwater drainage maintenance with lead worker/senior duties.
• An associate degree or vocational certification in Construction Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, or related trade, plus one year of related experience.
• Equivalent mix of education, training, and experience may be accepted.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small crew in field operations; coordinate daily site tasks and enforce safety around excavations and heavy equipment.
• Excavate, bed, align, join, and backfill stormwater pipes; ensure proper joint sealing and compaction.
• Set up and operate laser survey equipment to establish grades and flow lines.
• Replace and restore driveway culverts; perform concrete pouring and finishing or asphalt patching.
• Install MES and protect culvert crossings with geotextile, riprap, and slope protection.
• Build and repair catch basins, inlets, and masonry structures; manage lids and grates to grade.
• Ensure OSHA compliance and MOT setup; coordinate utility mark-outs before digging.
• Document daily labor hours and pipe footage in the Work Management System.
• Be available for emergency storm response and stormwater relief operations.

Skills

Lead Crew

Pipe Installation

Grade Setting

Concrete Masonry

Heavy Equipment

OSHA TTC

Trench Safety

Education

Associate degree / vocational cert

Tools

Pipe Lasers

Grade Rods

MS Office

Job description

Stormwater Pipe Journeyman - 2 Positions

Location: 22211 U.S. Highway 19 North, Clearwater, FL 33765

Schedule: Monday to Thursday or Tuesday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Position Summary

The Stormwater Journeyman performs skilled, journey-level trade work in the construction, maintenance, and structural repair of county stormwater conveyance systems. This position serves as the lead hands‑on craftsman and crew leader for a small field team executing open‑cut pipe replacements, driveway culvert restorations, concrete drainage structure construction, and ditch conveyance grading.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up and operate laser survey equipment to establish pipe grades and flow lines.
• Install various types of stormwater pipe to required design elevations.
• Construct and repair masonry catch basins and inlets.
• Pour and finish concrete driveway aprons.
• Install mitered end sections (MES).
• Serve as the technical lead for a small crew, providing direction on equipment operation, safety, and daily work.
• Document work orders and completed work in the County’s work management system.

Required License

Possession and maintenance of a valid State of Florida Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class B with an acceptable driving record. Class A is preferred.

What Would You Do?

• Lead Small Crew Operations: Guide, instruct, and work alongside a small crew in the field; coordinate daily site tasks, maintain productivity, and enforce safe work habits around open excavations and heavy equipment.
• Pipe Repair & Replacement: Excavate, bed, align, join, and backfill stormwater pipes (RCP, HDPE, corrugated metal, and polypropylene); verify proper joint sealing and mechanical compaction around pipe zones.
• Laser Survey & Grade Setting: Set up, calibrate, and shoot grades using rotating pipe lasers, builder’s levels, and grade rods; calculate and verify slope percentages, fall, and flow‑line invert elevations directly from blueprints, bench marks, or field schematics.
• Driveway Culverts & Restorations: Perform end-to-end replacement of residential and commercial driveway culverts, subgrade preparation, base compaction, and full driveway apron restoration (concrete pouring/finishing or asphalt patching).
• Mitered Ends & Apron Protection: Install, form, and set concrete or metal mitered end sections (MES) on culvert crossings; place geotextile fabric, rubble riprap, and slope protection to prevent scouring and erosion.
• Box Building, Lids, & Masonry: Build, modify, and repair catch basins, drop inlets, junction boxes, and ditch bottom inlets using concrete masonry units (CMU), brick/mortar, or form-and-pour techniques; set, adjust, and replace damaged lids, ring-and-cover assemblies, and inlet grates to finished road/curb grade.
• Trench Safety & Job Site Controls: Ensure compliance with OSHA excavation standards and the Florida Trench Safety Act; verify trench box placement, sloping, or shoring; implement Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) setups; coordinate Sunshine 811 utility mark‑outs prior to digging.
• Work Tracking & Reporting: Assist supervisory staff by tracking daily labor hours, linear feet of installed pipe, structural materials used, and equipment run‑time within the County’s Cityworks database.
• Emergency Storm Response: Serve on mandatory emergency response crews during tropical storms, hurricanes, and severe wet‑weather events to clear conveyance bottlenecks, handle emergency washouts, and run bypass pumps.
• Other Duties: Performs other duties as assigned.

What Do You Need to Have?

Experience

Three (3) years of skilled experience in public works construction, underground utility pipe laying, or stormwater drainage maintenance, including lead worker, crew chief, or senior journeyman responsibilities.

Education

Associate degree or vocational certification in Construction Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, or a closely related trade, plus one (1) year of experience in utility or stormwater pipe construction.

• Three (3) years of experience as described above; or,
• An associate degree as described above, and one (1) year of experience as described above; or,
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.

Additional Requirements

• Driver’s License: Possession and maintenance of a valid State of Florida Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B (Class A preferred) with an acceptable driving record.
• Physical & Environmental Requirements: Ability to perform heavy manual labor outdoors in high heat, humidity, rain, and muddy or submerged conditions; ability to enter confined spaces (trenches, catch basins, manholes) in compliance with safety standards.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Software Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, and other software applications necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Grade & Elevation Layout: Demonstrated skill in shooting grades, using pipe lasers, calculating run/fall ratios, and reading engineering plan-and-profile sheets.
• Structural Concrete & Masonry: Practical craftsmanship in building brick/block inlets, parging walls, forming/pouring footers and collars, and screeding/finishing flat concrete.
• Heavy Equipment Operation: Proven capability operating mini/mid-size excavators, backhoes, skid steers, vibratory trench compactors, and cut‑off saws.
• Safety Certifications: FDOT Temporary Traffic Control (TTC/MOT) certification; OSHA 10‑Hour or 30‑Hour Construction / Trenching & Confined Space Competent Person training.

Our benefits rank among the top in the area!

• Looking for a strong retirement? We have you covered as members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) with investment and pension options.
• We have deferred compensation programs and wellness centers to name a few perks. Check out these and more!

Want to Learn More?

Please review the full classification description with the Physical/Mental Demands, Working Conditions, and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities at the below link.

Stormwater Journeyman