Utility Technician Trainee - Wastewater Collection Division

City of Phoenix; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 26,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Traditional pension

401(a) and 457 plans

Medical plans options

Post-Employment Health Plan

Job summary

City of Phoenix is offering a 12-month Utility Technician Trainee program in the Water Department, focusing on water service repairs in distribution and wastewater collection activities in the Wastewater Collection Division. The program provides on-the-job training under a Senior Utility Technician, with increasing duties as the program progresses.

Ideal candidates will work in cramped spaces, handle raw sewage with PPE, climb ladders, and read English.

Qualifications

• Possession of ADEQ Grade 1 Wastewater Collection certification within 12 months of hire.
• Possession of a Class A CDL Instructional Permit within 6 months of hire, and possession of a Class A CDL within 12 months of hire.
• Demonstrated ability to perform water or wastewater utility work, as shown by prior experience and training or through examination.

Responsibilities

• Perform semiskilled work in operation and maintenance of the wastewater collection system's gravity mains, force mains, manholes, pumps and metering stations.
• Maintain, monitor, install, and/or repair wastewater infrastructure using hand tools, power tools, machine equipment and work aids.

Skills

Read and interpret in English

Cramped spaces work

Work with sewage/chemicals with PPE

Climb ladders

Education

Arizona ADEQ Grade 1 - Wastewater Collection

Class A CDL Instructional Permit

Job description

About This Position

Utility Technician Trainees in the Water Department learn the skills required to perform water service repairs/activities in the water distribution system or wastewater service repairs/activities in the wastewater collection system by participating in City education and training programs as well as in on-the-job training. Trainees receive guidance and direction from a Senior Utility Technician and assigned duties increase in scope and difficulty as the 12-month structured program progresses.

Wastewater Collection Division

The Wastewater Collection Division is comprised of Administration, Operations and Maintenance, Closed Circuit Televising, and Lift Station Sections with 112 full-time employees. The division is responsible for 4,928 miles of sewer main, over 106,000 manholes and cleanouts, and 425,319 sewer tap connections within a 540 square mile service area.

Utility Technician positions in this division perform semiskilled work in the operation and maintenance of the City's wastewater collection system's gravity mains, force mains, manholes, pumps and metering stations. They maintain, monitor, install, and/or repair the city's wastewater infrastructure utilizing manual operations such as hand tools, power tools, machine equipment and work aids.

Ideal Candidate

• Work in small, cramped spaces, such as trenches, to repair water mains or service connections.
• Work with raw sewage and chemicals in the collection system using only normal protective equipment.
• Climb ladders to enter or exit manholes or trenches.
• Read and interpret in English.

Salary

Pay Range: $19.07 - $28.17 per hour

Hiring Range: $19.07 - $23.18 per hour

Pay Range Explanation

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

Your job classification can be found in eCHRIS > Personal Details under your name, located in the top left section of the page.

The pay grade and classification/unit of your current position may be found by looking up your job title on the job description page.

Benefits

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information.
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions.
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans.
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan.
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually.
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• Employer paid long-term disability.
• Free Bus/light rail pass.
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year.
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days.
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period.
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi.

For more details, visit: Unit 002 Benefits

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Grade 1 certification in Wastewater Collection within 12 months of hire.
• Possession of a Class A Commercial Driver License Instructional Permit within 6 months of hire, and possession of a Class A Commercial Driver License within 12 months of hire.
• Demonstrated ability to perform water or wastewater utility work, as shown by prior experience and training or through examination.
• Candidates selected to move forward in the hiring process will be required to complete the Office Proficiency Assessment Certification (OPAC). This requirement is based on qualifications and is not guaranteed for all applicants
  • No action is required at the time of application.
  • If selected, candidates will be invited to complete this requirement (OPEC) via email after the recruitment closes.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• These positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• In addition, individuals may be required to pass an Arizona Department of Transportation physical exam and possess the appropriate commercial driver's license (C.D.L.). Pre-employment drug testing is required for C.D.L. positions. Employees in C.D.L. positions will be subject to unannounced alcohol and drug testing as a condition of continued employment.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
• The City job description can be found here.

Environmental Conditions Will Include The Following

• Working outside in a variety of environmental extremes such as heat, cold, rain, air pollution, and dust.
• Working around spiders, scorpions, snakes, cockroaches, bees, etc.
• Performing heavy manual labor for extended periods of time in a construction-type of environment.
• Moving heavy objects 50 pounds or more over short distances and repetitively bending and moving heavy objects throughout an eight-hour shift.
• Traveling across rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces at excavation sites.

Recruitment Dates

Recruitment closes October 13, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

REFERENCE

Utility Technician Trainee(NC), JC:53000, ID# 63222, 10/07/2026, USM, JG, Benefits:002

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City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.