Utilities/Pipelayer I

City-of-Kingsport,-T; Green Acres (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Kingsport seeks a motivated worker for installation, maintenance, and repair of underground water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. This is a temporary-to-hire role with potential for permanent placement through the City after a 3-month period with the staffing agency.

Responsibilities include operating and maintaining equipment, following safety rules, performing manual labor, and assisting in training new staff. Valid CDL preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Experience working in a team environment.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Valid State of Tennessee or Virginia CDL – Learner’s Permit within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled maintenance tasks for water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
• Set up, maintain, and operate traffic control for work zones.
• Operate vehicles and small equipment such as mowers, tractors, and trenchers.
• Install and maintain pressurized and gravity pipes in trench excavations.
• Perform work in confined spaces and assist with training other employees.
• Follow safety regulations and complete pre-trip inspections.
• Maintain records of tasks performed and inspections.

Skills

Safety awareness

Equipment operation

Manual labor

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Pipe tapping equipment

Traffic control equipment

Job description

Performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled work for the installation, maintenance, and repair of underground utility (water, wastewater, and stormwater) systems.

*(This position is a temporary to hire position. If selected for a Utilities/Pipelayer I position, employment will be setup for 3-months with a temporary staffing agency the City is contracted with for 2025/2026. *City benefits become effective on the official date of employment with the City of Kingsport if employment is offered after the initial 3-months employment through the temporary staffing agency).

The City of Kingsport does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations.

• Performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled maintenance tasks using appropriate hand and power tools (shovels, rakes, drills, blowers, chainsaws, pipe saws, etc.);
• Performs a variety of manual laboring tasks;
• Setup, maintain, and operate traffic control (including flagging) for work zones;
• Ensures all tasks are competed in a safe and efficient manner;
• Operates and maintains vehicles and small equipment (mowers, tractors, skid steer, trencher, asphalt rollers, concrete saws, pipe cleaning equipment, etc.);
• Install and maintain pressurized and gravity pipe in trench excavation, sometimes requiring use of trench shoring equipment;
• Performs work in confined spaces such as manholes, meter vaults, trenches, etc.;
• Performs tap installation using pipe tap machine;
• Assists in operation of high‑pressure pipe cleaning equipment;
• Performs maintenance work on water and wastewater facilities (pump stations, plants, etc.);
• Maintains facilities (utility plants, pump stations, underground utility infrastructure, storage facilities, etc.);
• Performs appropriate inspections and keeps equipment and vehicles clean and in safe working condition;
• Performs minor/maintenance/repairs to equipment and vehicles used;
• Keeps appropriate records of the tasks performed (pre-trip inspections, inventory control, etc.;
• Occasionally fills in for other positions when needed and assist in training other employees;
• Understand and comply with federal and state regulations regarding utility systems;
• Employee will be assigned to a specific after hours on-call schedule depending on assigned field;
• Attend training as needed to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements, as well as maintain required certifications;
• Assist in emergency operations as needed;
• Mentor new employees; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Ability to work independently and make independent judgements:
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and appropriate safety precautions for operating construction equipment;
• Knowledge in using hand and power tools in construction and maintenance work;
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and materials used in various utility (water, wastewater, and stormwater) construction projects;
• Knowledge of the operation, maintenance, and repair of relevant vehicles and equipment;
• Knowledge of the elements of construction technology as they relate to the assigned construction, maintenance, and repair activities;
• Skill in performing manual work requiring periods of extensive physical exertion and potential exposure to adverse weather conditions;
• Skill in reading schematics and follow oral and written instructions;
• Skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing including tactful and courteous communications with the public;
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co‑workers, other city personnel and the public.

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred;
• Experience working in a team environment;
• Valid driver’s license;
• Valid State of Tennessee or Virginia Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) – Learner’s Permit within 6 months of hire.