Utility Technician

Aqua America, Inc.; Valparaiso (IN); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Aqua America, Inc. in Valparaiso, Indiana is seeking a dedicated individual to support our wastewater services. The role involves installation, maintenance, and repair of equipment. You will interact with customers, resolve service inquiries, and conduct inspections.

No previous experience is necessary, but mechanical and/or electrical skills are preferred. A high school diploma or GED is required, along with a valid U.S. driver's license.

We are committed to a diverse workplace and offer equal opportunities to all applicants.

Qualifications

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
• No previous experience is required; mechanical and/or electrical experience is preferred.
• Valid U.S. driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain and repair wastewater collection pipes and pumps.
• Meet with customers and resolve inquiries regarding sewer utility service.
• Perform inspections and tests of distribution and collection system pipes.

Skills

Mechanical experience

Electrical experience

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Backhoe

Sewer TV inspection equipment

GPS equipment

Job description

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities.

About Essential Utilities Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families and entire communities. Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status – including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Understands the operation of equipment such as backhoe, vacuum/jetter truck, sewer TV inspection equipment, back‑up pumps, compressors, welder, generators and other equipment as the Company may have or acquire.
• Installation, maintenance and repair of wastewater collection pipes, manholes, pumps, service lines and related valves, fittings and appurtenances.
• Meets with customers and resolves inquiries regarding sewer utility service.
• Understands proper use of tools and instruments associated with the work.
• Makes measurements, surveys and performs infrastructure locates.
• Reads, understands, interprets and applies information from plans, system drawings, schematics and operations manuals to the performance of the work.
• Performs and records construction inspections and tests of distribution and collection system pipes, hydrants, valves, manholes, meters, computer controls, pumps and appurtenances.
• Wears and maintains required personal protective equipment and company‑provided uniforms.
• Performs duties in a safe manner following OSHA, 10HSA, USDOT, Company and any other applicable safety related rules and regulations.
• Understands safety inspection requirements and maintenance of vehicles.
• Is reasonably available for overtime work, on‑call duty and for emergency call‑out duty, as necessary to provide service to the public.
• Performs other duties as assigned to provide service to customers and/or forward the goals and objectives of the organization.
• Has the ability to operate computers and related software to retrieve and record data and information related to the work.
• Shows integrity, conscientiousness and a proper regard for the use of time and equipment, and awareness of the responsibility to safeguard the water supply and prevent pollution of surface water.
• Can cooperate with, communicate with and assist other employees and the public; reads and follows operating instructions given by supervisors; is neat, reliable, resourceful and able to act promptly.
• Can send and receive instructions by radio, computer and/or telephone.
• Has a good foundation in understanding the operations and maintenance of a sanitary sewer collection system, including the operation of pumps, valves, ARVs, lift station control panels, SCADATA equipment, compressors, chemical equipment and other appurtenances.
• Demonstrates good working knowledge on how to use and maintain cleaning equipment, televising equipment, bypass equipment, stand‑alone or portable generator equipment, small utility crane truck vehicle, locating equipment, GPS equipment and other equipment as the Company may have or acquire.
• Has a working ability to safely install pipe, manholes, pumps, ARVs, floats/transducers and related valves, fittings and other appurtenances.
• Maintains grounds over pipe, services and all other Company‑owned property; performs housekeeping of Company properties, garages and equipment/materials in the yards; keeps track of inventory.
• Can conduct inspections of development/capital projects such as reading and following construction plans, witnessing pipe installation, upholding Company standards and specification, taking measurements, documenting through photos and written work, recording testing after installation and submitting all witnessed work to the engineering department.
• Communicates with the engineering department on all projects as needed.
• Locates Company-owned assets such as pipe, manholes, cleanouts, valves and other appurtenances while using the provided GIS maps and AutoCAD maps to assist in properly locating assets within the sanitary sewer collection system to prevent damage from contractors, homeowners or other utilities.
• Loads and unloads various items delivered to the office, WWTP or onsite with Company-provided equipment.
• All Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) must be followed in order to perform jobs successfully, without injury, and with quick responses to non-emergency and emergency issues within the collection system.
• Is reasonably available for overtime work, on‑call duty and emergency call‑out duty as scheduled or unscheduled when necessary to provide service to the public.
• Maintains a professional appearance and demeanor when dealing with the Company’s customers and the public.
• Demonstrates the Company’s core values of Integrity, Respect and Excellence in interactions with customers, vendors and the public.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
• No previous experience is required although mechanical and/or electrical experience is preferred.
• Valid U.S. driver's license.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The job may be subject to extreme temperatures, noise, wet and/or humid conditions, mechanical, electrical, gas exposure hazards, fumes, dusts, mists, gases and/or poor ventilation atmospheric conditions. The employee must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Working conditions may include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents. The employee may be required to be “on‑call” per the site schedule. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.

Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1‑877‑271‑9012).

To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals: family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship, and family members cannot work in the same department.