UTILITY TECHNICIAN I (WATER)

Herndon; Virginia; On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Herndon is seeking a Utility Technician I to support the water distribution system, water quality monitoring, and metering operations. The role involves sampling, meter work, customer service investigations, and emergency response, with increasing independence as experience and certifications grow.

The position is essential personnel, requiring a high school diploma and CDL-B eligibility, with regular hours Monday–Friday and potential for field work in varying conditions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Vocational/technical training in water systems operation and maintenance preferred.
• One year of water sampling or related experience preferred.
• Experience using computers and Microsoft Office Suite.
• VDOT flagging certification or ability to obtain within six months of employment.
• Competent person training for trench safety and confined space entry within six months.
• VDOT basic work zone safety within one year of employment.
• Valid Class B CDL or ability to obtain within six months.

Responsibilities

• Assist with collecting water quality samples following procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Perform routine flushing, water quality monitoring, and distribution system maintenance.
• Install, repair, replace, and maintain water meters, AMR/AMI equipment, and related components.
• Assist in investigating customer concerns regarding water quality, pressure, leaks, and billing issues.
• Read meters and verify accuracy as assigned.
• Perform basic maintenance and repairs on water distribution components and appurtenances.
• Operate light and medium-duty vehicles and equipment used in water utility operations.
• Assist with locating underground utilities and supporting construction activities.
• Complete work orders, service requests, maintenance records, and documentation.
• Maintain inventory, tools, and work areas in a safe condition.
• Respond to water emergencies, outages, and service calls; participate in snow removal and storms.

Skills

Computer literacy

Education

High school diploma or GED

Vocational/technical training in water systems operation and maintenance

Job description

The Utility Technician I performs semi-skilled and skilled work in support of the Town's water distribution system, water quality monitoring activities, metering systems, and utility operations. The position assists with water quality sampling, meter installation and maintenance, customer service investigations, utility construction and maintenance activities, and the operation of equipment and vehicles used in water utility operations. Work is performed under established procedures and direction from higher-level staff, with increasing independence as experience and certifications are obtained.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Assists with collecting water quality samples in accordance with established procedures and regulatory requirements.
2. Performs routine flushing, water quality monitoring, and distribution system maintenance activities.
3. Installs, repairs, replaces, and maintains water meters, meter boxes, AMR/AMI equipment, and related components.
4. Assists in investigating customer concerns regarding water quality, pressure, leaks, consumption, and billing issues.
5. Reads water meters and verifies meter accuracy as assigned.
6. Performs basic maintenance and repairs on water distribution system components and appurtenances.
7. Operates light and medium-duty vehicles, equipment, machinery, and hand tools necessary to perform assigned work.
8. Assists with locating underground utilities and supporting utility construction activities.
9. Completes work orders, service requests, maintenance records, inspection forms, and other documentation.
10. Maintains inventory, equipment, tools, and work areas in a clean and safe condition.
11. Responds to water emergencies, outages, and service calls as assigned.
12. Participates in snow removal, storm response, and other emergency operations.

Position is considered “essential personnel”; defined as staff who are required to report to their designated work location during weather-related or other emergencies, even when town offices are closed or normal operations are suspended.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required
• Vocational/technical training in water systems operation and maintenance preferred
• One year of experience and/or training that includes water sample collections preferred
• Experience using computers and Microsoft Office Suite
• Possession of flagging certification issued by the Virginia Department of Transportation or ability to obtain within six months of employment
• Must be able to complete competent person training for trench safety and confined space entry within six months of employment
• Possession of or ability to obtain VDOT basic work zone safety within one year of employment
• Valid commercial driver’s license (Class B) with acceptable record or ability to obtain within six months

Days / Hours

Monday - Friday (6:30am - 3:00pm)

Duties involve the ability to exert heavy, physical effort, and involves some lifting, carrying, pushing, climbing, crouching, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling up to approximately 100 pounds. Duties may also require coordinated movements to operate different types of equipment and vehicles. Duties may also require adequate visual perception, as well as adequate oral communications abilities.

Duties may risk exposure to adverse, environmental conditions such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, animal pests, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, loud machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, violence, disease and pathogenic substances.