Water Sewer Crew Leader

Clinton, City of (SC); Clinton (SC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Dental coverage

Vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid holidays

Paid leave and vacation

Training and professional development

Licenses and certifications support

Job summary

The City of Clinton is seeking a Water & Sewer Crew Leader / Heavy Equipment Operator to guide field crews, operate heavy equipment, and ensure safe, reliable service for residents. This role requires leadership, strong mechanical skills, and the ability to respond to emergencies after hours.

Responsibilities include coordinating daily assignments, installing and repairing water and sewer infrastructure, and training coworkers in safety and equipment operation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid SC driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Ability to obtain SC Class B CDL within 6 months.
• Ability to obtain SC Class C Water Distribution Operator and Class C Wastewater Collection Operator within 2 years.
• Experience in water/sewer operations or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate field crews for water, sewer, and stormwater work.
• Set daily assignments and ensure safe, efficient project completion.
• Install/repair water mains, service lines, and sewer infrastructure.
• Operate heavy equipment including backhoes, excavators, and trucks.
• Locate leaks, clear blockages, repair lines, restore sites.
• Inspect equipment and maintain records; report hazards and issues.
• Maintain safe work zones and traffic control measures.
• Train staff on equipment operation and safety procedures.
• Respond to after-hours utility emergencies as part of on-call rotation.

Skills

Leadership

Equipment operation

Safety awareness

Communication

Training others

On-call readiness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Backhoes

Excavators

Dump trucks

Job description

JOIN THE CITY OF CLINTON TEAM

Open until filled or until we receive sufficient applications.

The City of Clinton seeks an experienced, dependable, safety-focused professional to serve as a Water & Sewer Crew Leader / Heavy Equipment Operator.

This working-leadership position coordinates daily field assignments while actively participating in installing, maintaining, and repairing the City's water distribution, wastewater collection, and storm sewer systems. The selected candidate will operate heavy equipment, guide and train crew members, maintain safe job sites, respond to utility emergencies, and help ensure dependable service for Clinton residents.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced utility, construction, or heavy-equipment professional who is ready to take on greater leadership responsibilities and advance within municipal public service.

The position reports to the Water-Sewer Assistant Division Manager.

What You’ll Do

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead and assist field crews performing water, sewer, and stormwater installation, maintenance, and repair work.
• Coordinate daily work assignments and help ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Install and repair water mains, service lines, sewer lines, valves, hydrants, manholes, meters, and related infrastructure.
• Operate backhoes, excavators, dump trucks, tampers, bush hogs, and other vehicles and specialized equipment.
• Assist with locating water leaks, clearing sewer blockages, repairing damaged lines, and restoring job sites.
• Inspect equipment and vehicles before use and complete required inspection, maintenance, and operational records.
• Identify and report unsafe conditions, equipment problems, infrastructure concerns, and service interruptions.
• Set up and maintain safe work zones, including signs, cones, barricades, and traffic-control measures.
• Train employees in equipment operation, utility procedures, job-site expectations, and safe work practices.
• Monitor crew activities and reinforce compliance with City policies, OSHA requirements, and applicable utility regulations.
• Interact professionally with residents, contractors, vendors, supervisors, and other City employees.
• Participate in the division's scheduled on-call rotation and respond to after-hours utility emergencies.
• Assist crew members with physical and technical duties as operational needs require.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• At least six months of related experience in water and sewer operations, underground utilities, construction, equipment operation, infrastructure maintenance, or a closely related field.
• A valid South Carolina driver's license and an acceptable driving record.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a South Carolina Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within six months of employment.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a South Carolina Class C Water Distribution Operator License and Class C Wastewater Collection Operator License within two years of employment.
• The ability to participate in scheduled on-call duty and respond to emergencies during nights, weekends, and holidays.

An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, certifications, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:

• Experience working in municipal water distribution or wastewater collection.
• Experience installing or repairing underground utility lines.
• Professional experience operating backhoes, excavators, dump trucks, or similar heavy equipment.
• Experience leading employees, assigning work, training coworkers, or coordinating job sites.
• A current South Carolina Class A or Class B CDL.
• A current Water Distribution or Wastewater Collection Operator License.
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements, trench safety, confined-space procedures, and work-zone traffic control.

What We’re Looking For

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Leadership and the ability to guide a field crew.
• Dependability, initiative, and consistent attendance.
• Safe and responsible equipment operation.
• Strong mechanical and problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of job-site and traffic-control safety practices.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• The ability to follow plans, instructions, regulations, and established procedures.
• Professional and respectful customer service.
• The ability to remain calm and make sound decisions during emergencies.
• A commitment to teamwork, public service, and workplace safety.

Physical and Working Conditions

This position requires regular outdoor work in varying weather and environmental conditions, including heat, cold, rain, humidity, dust, noise, and uneven terrain.

The employee must be able to:

• Stand, walk, bend, stoop, crouch, climb, reach, push, and pull for extended periods.
• Safely operate vehicles, heavy equipment, hand tools, and power tools.
• Enter and exit equipment and work around excavations, utility lines, traffic, and active construction sites.
• Frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Assist with heavier objects by using appropriate equipment or team-lifting procedures.
• Wear required personal protective equipment.
• Perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The position is subject to applicable Department of Transportation requirements and the City’s drug-and-alcohol-free workplace policies.

Compensation and Benefits

The City of Clinton offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• City-paid employee health coverage
• City-paid basic dental coverage
• Vision insurance
• South Carolina Retirement Systems participation
• Life and long-term disability insurance
• Paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave
• Flexible spending accounts
• Supplemental insurance options
• Employee Assistance Program
• YMCA membership
• Paid training and professional-development opportunities
• Support for obtaining required licenses and certifications

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Clinton provides equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related medical conditions, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants who require assistance with the application process may contact the City of Clinton Human Resources Department.