Primary Role

• Supervises and coordinates activities of Virginia American Water employees engaged in repair and maintenance of water distribution by performing the following duties:
  • Analyzes and solves work problems, and/or assists employees in solving problems, and further recommends measures to improve productivity. 
  • Responsible for job sites safety including traffic control, pedestrian control, excavation, confined space, hazardous materials, equipment, and Mapcall recording. 
  • Interprets facility maps and determines valving requirements for shutdowns and locates Virginia American Water assets.
  • Communicates effectively in a professional manner with employees and customers. 
  • Responds to after hours and weekend emergency callouts.

• Performs skilled tasks associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the water distribution systems. Not limited to, fire and domestic services, meter settings, water mains and valves. Routinely collects water samples, drives truck equipped with dump body to transport and dump loose materials such as sand, gravel, crushed rock, coal, or bituminous paving materials.

• Performs all functions in a safe and conscientious manner, with constant regard for the safety of fellow employees and the general public. Cuts, threads, and joins pipe sections as directed.

• Performs wet taps using large and small tapping machines, installs repair sleeves, flares copper, installs meter setting and yokes. Cuts, threads, and screws together sections of pipe forming service line and lays service line into trench. Erects barricades and places safety lights around worksites to protect workers from street traffic; may flag traffic as required. Breaks up pavement, using air hammer, manually digs a ditch preparatory to laying or removing pipe or service lines.

Key Accountabilities

• Maneuvers pipe sections, valves, and fittings into position. Backfills excavations using compaction equipment on dirt, crushed stone, and cold-mix asphalt. Removes and installs water meters, reads meter after installation. Performs maintenance work on company property and grounds. Drives company vehicles, including dump truck, may pull trailers / equipment. Pulls levers or turns crank to tilt body and dump contents. Moves hand and foot controls to jerk truck forward and backward to loosen and dump material adhering to body. Loads dump truck by hand and/or by operating mechanical loader. Inspects truck, equipment, and supplies such as tires, lights, brakes, gas/diesel, oil antifreeze and water. Cuts, threads, and joins pipe sections as directed. Other duties may be assigned.
• Directly Supervises 3-6 employees in the Working Crew.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include the continuous OJT training of employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Knowledge/Skills

• Broad working knowledge of distribution system components, including their installation, such as valves, hydrants, tapping devices and various types of pipe materials.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance, instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Experience/Education

• High School diploma/GED
• 4-10 years related experience and/training; equivalent combination of education and experience, and is familiar with the duties of Utility Worker, Equipment Operator, and Truck Driver.

Certifications & Licenses

• Confined Space Entry Certification is a plus.
• VDOT Flagging Certification is a plus.
• Competent Person for Excavation is a plus.
• Valid Driver’s License 

Work Environment

• Regularly works in outside weather conditions. 
• Frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and extreme cold. 
• Occasionally works in high, precarious places and occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, extreme heat and risk of electrical shock. The noise level is usually loud. 
• Works in confine spaces.

Competencies