Water Distribution - Utility Worker Trainee, I II

City of Abilene, Texas; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Abilene, Texas is hiring for a Utility Worker - Water Distribution to maintain and repair water and sewer lines across Abilene. The role requires operating heavy equipment, examining systems for leaks, and coordinating with teams to keep water services reliable.

The position calls for at least a high school diploma or GED, a Texas driver’s license, and a CDL within 90 days where applicable. Driving a City vehicle and standing by for possible after-hours work are expected.

Qualifications

• Six (6) months of experience as a Laborer, Utility Worker, or related work.
• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• A Texas driver’s license or military waiver is required; CDL Class A within 90 days preferred.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, maintain, repair, install and/or replace water distribution and sewer lines and related components.
• Operate city vehicle and heavy equipment as needed; ensure safe worksite conditions.
• Investigate leaks, outages, and customer complaints and coordinate repairs with staff.

Skills

Safe driving

Heavy equipment operation

GIS familiarity

Education

High school diploma or GED

Texas driver’s license

CDL Class A within 90 days

Job description

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 6:00 AM

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the immediate or general supervision of a Lead Supervisor or higher; to perform, either alone or within a team, required construction, maintenance and operational duties in the assigned Division/Branch of the water and sewer system.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

These positions do not exercise supervision.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Inspect, maintain, repair, install and/or replace damaged water distribution and sewage collection lines, valves, fire hydrants, pumps, meters and meter assemblies.
• Assist with cleanup and periodic maintenance of water utility property and easements.
• Operate a City vehicle daily to travel to various worksites.
• Operate at least one of the following: backhoe, loader, dump truck, air compressor, vacuum truck/machine.
• Ensure the work site is safe and productive at all times.
• Operate all the following: backhoe, loader, dump truck, air compressor, vacuum truck/machine.
• Investigate customer complaints related to leaks, low pressure, outages and other issues related to water distribution.
• Contact and coordinate with required personnel and agencies to make repairs.
• Communicate effectively with other employees, customers and supervisors the nature and status of work being performed.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

May also assist with accomplishing some Wastewater Collection-related tasks.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge Of:

• Safe driving and heavy equipment operating principles and practices.
• All approved methods, materials, tools, equipment, and practices used to safely repair and maintain water and sewerage systems.
• The different jobs and tasks in the assigned Division/Branch and how they generally impact the operations of the City’s water and sewerage systems.
• The use of general Geographical Information System (GIS) applications.
• City of Abilene Policies and Procedures within six (6) months of employment.

Skill To:

• Safely operate and care for all tools, vehicles, equipment and materials.
• Safeguard and effectively use assigned information technology equipment in the field.

Ability To:

• Pay attention-to-detail when performing general maintenance work.
• Accomplish required tasks at the minimum acceptable rate for this position.
• Communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in written reports.
• Read and understand street maps displayed on paper and electronic devices.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
• Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
• Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience And Training Guidelines

Utility Worker Trainee

• Experience: Six (6) months of experience as a Laborer, Utility Worker, or other related work is required.
• Education/Training: A high school diploma or GED is required.
• License Or Certificate: A Texas driver’s license or a military waiver is required.
• A Class A Texas Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), or the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment is required.

Utility Worker I

• License Or Certificate: A Class A Texas Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is required.
• Possession of or the ability to obtain a TCEQ Class D Water License or Wastewater Collection I license within one (1) year of employment is required.

Utility Worker II

• Experience: Two (2) years of experience comparable to that of a Utility Worker is required.
• License Or Certificate: A TCEQ Class C Water Distribution License or Wastewater Collection II License is required.
• A TCEQ Class B Water Distribution License or Wastewater Collection III License is preferred.

Special Requirements

• Bloodborne Pathogens training and HazCom training are required within sixty (60) days of employment.
• Working outside or in a confined workspace with exposure to cold, heat, noise, chemicals, and hazardous materials.
• Ability to travel to different sites.
• Availability to work an 8-hour shift during normal business hours and be on standby (on call) to work outside normal business hours, as needed.
• With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:
• ___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
• ___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
• ___ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
• _X_ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
• ___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes

• The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes For How Often:

• N = No
• E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
• M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
• I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
• A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

• _E_ Standing
• I_ Sitting
• _E_ Walking
• _E_ Lifting
• _M_ Carrying
• _E_ Pushing/Pulling
• _A_ Overhead Work
• _M_ Fine Dexterity
• _E_ Kneeling
• _E_ Crouching
• _A_ Crawling
• _M_ Bending
• _M_ Twisting
• _E_ Climbing
• I_ Balancing
• _M_ Vision
• _M_ Hearing
• I_ Talking
• ___ Other: _____________________

Job Details

• Job Family Utility Worker - Water Distribution
• Pay Type Hourly
• Hiring Min Rate 18.83 USD
• Hiring Max Rate 25.39 USD

Download

Water Distribution, 701 E. Hwy 80, Abilene, Texas, United States of America