Utility Lines Worker

An employee in this class performs basic unskilled maintenance of fire hydrants in accordance with state requirements for hydrant maintenance. Work includes chipping, painting, pressure testing and greasing hydrants, and cleaning the ground surrounding hydrants. The employee may assist Utility Line Technicians at line breaks or with other installation or repair tasks. The employee must be able to work independently in the field as a two‑person team.

The employee is subject to working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as loud noises, vibration, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation, and oils. The employee is also subject to working in water or sewer pipes and manholes, may work around raw sewage, and is subject to OSHA standards on blood borne pathogens.

The employee may be subject to call‑back work. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated through observation and inspection for adherence to instructions and standard trade and safety practices.

• Uses City and department maps to locate fire hydrants.
• Uses shovels to finish grading trenches for construction of water and sewer lines; fits pipe; and uses a variety of hand tools to join lines.
• Uses hand tools to perform basic maintenance on fire hydrants.
• Scrapes fire hydrants to chip off paint; repaints.
• Checks valves to ensure they are fully in the down position.
• Conducts a pressure test of hydrants, recording the number of gallons per minute, size of main line to the hydrant; color codes the top of hydrants; logs and keeps cards on data for fire department.
• Tags each hydrant.
• Checks and adds oil in bonnet when needed.
• May raise extension to barrels to raise valves; leaves valve on when work is completed.
• Cleans ground within a 25‑foot diameter around each hydrant; sprays with weed killer as needed.
• Greases operating nuts and checks turns; cleans tread on caps.
• Completes logs on work completed; records hydrant number and location, work completed, make and barrel size, manufacture date and flow data.
• May assist Utility Line Technicians during line breaks, stopped‑up lines and in making water and sewer taps, or installing fire hydrants, and meters, etc.; hands tools and materials to Technicians, assists in holding pipe and other materials and applying pressure or pulling out grease from lines; digs with shovels, etc.
• Responds to citizens on site, explains hydrant maintenance when asked and/or provides name and phone number of the supervisor for questions or complaints about utilities.

• Some knowledge of the basic working of fire hydrants and basic maintenance required and tools used in hydrant maintenance.
• Some knowledge of water and sewer line construction and maintenance tasks.
• Some knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the work.
• Ability to understand oral instructions and to read line street maps.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers and supervisors.
• Ability to perform heavy work for extended periods.

• Graduation from high school or GED; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver’s License.
• Possession of a valid North Carolina Commercial Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within the designated time established by the City of Clinton.