Utility Maintenance Worker

City of Carbondale, Illinois

Title: Utility Maintenance Worker

Dept./Div.: Public Works/Sewer Collection (6 months of satisfactory probationary employment; the employee may be moved to the Plumber’s Union first six-month apprentice wage, which is currently $23.35/hour)

This is a full‑time position in Sewer Collection in the Public Works Department. Work is primarily of a manual nature, entailing maintenance and repair of the utility system. The position is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the water distribution system and sewage collection system. Other duties include filling in for Meter Services staff as needed, reading water meters, and performing the duties assigned to the board runner.

The Utility Maintenance Worker reports to and is evaluated by the Water and Sewer Supervisor.

• Manually repair water main, sewer main, water service, and sewer service.
• Visually identify and manually select the proper tools, materials, and equipment for each job.
• Call for utility locations verbally and read drawings or sketches to determine where to dig.
• Set up safety signs, barricades, and cones and locate utilities using audible and visual pipe/metal locators.
• Mark utility locations with spray paint and use ladders to access holes.
• Excavate existing utilities or lines using shovels and hand tools or power tools.
• Remove, repair, and replace lines, lifting and carrying fittings and pipe weighing up to 100 pounds.
• Operate trash pump, generator, and flood lights; lift and carry 80‑pound concrete mix bags and mix concrete.
• Communicate safety commands verbally to others in the ditch or hole.
• Load dump truck with gravel or blacktop using an end loader; dump and tamp gravel and blacktop with tamper.
• Read, repair, install, and inventory water meters under all weather and site conditions.
• Record work order entries for personnel, equipment, hours used, and parts inventory.
• Clean up and return all equipment and tools to their proper condition.
• Write down and record any equipment or material defects or shortages.
• Operate a 2‑way radio or telephone to communicate with the supervisor.
• Physically install new water service, water main, hydrant, valve, sewer service, main, or manhole.
• Set up and operate a 150‑pound mole machine, a 100‑pound tapping machine, and other heavy equipment.
• Take inventory, record numbers, and tighten nuts or bolts on meters.
• Turn water back on, check for leaks, replace and secure lids, and record meter readings and serial numbers.
• Operate sewer jets: drive to site, position the jet, secure area with safety devices, lift manhole lid, start engine, engage pump, run hose, and clean the sewer segment.
• Read meters by riding or driving a city vehicle, securing the vehicle, walking routes, unlocking lids with a meter wrench, transferring numbers to a collection device, and returning lids.
• Operate vehicles and equipment such as pickups, dump trucks, end loaders, backhoes, and heavy machines, and manually perform preventive maintenance on valves, hydrants, and manholes.
• Flush fire hydrants in the field and record information on maintenance records.
• Follow oral and written instructions and practice good safety procedures with PPE.
• Work effectively both independently and as a team member, and be regularly available for overtime and emergency work.
• Arrive at work on time and be prepared to begin work at the shift start time.

Perform other duties related to the water and sewer system and the mission of the Utilities Department.

Work is performed primarily outdoors and exposes the employee to fumes, odors, dust, smoke, gases, excessive noise, extreme heat/cold weather, and moving vehicles. Protective equipment such as ear plugs, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, and steel‑toe shoes are required.

Regular walking, standing, bending, stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling, working in confined spaces, climbing, lifting and carrying heavy objects up to 100 pounds, and operating hand and power tools.

High school diploma or equivalent; valid CDL Class B Illinois driver’s license with air‑brake and tank endorsements within 60…