Technician, Field Operations

American Water•Racine, WV

About The Position

The Technician, Field Operations performs field service duties and a variety of manual, technical, and operational tasks related to the installation, maintenance, and repair of water distribution systems. The role includes operating vehicles, construction equipment, hand and power tools, working with water system components, recording field information, reading meters, measuring pressure and flow, and completing customer-facing operational tasks. The position involves local travel to work sites and may require overtime, rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and on-call assignments depending on operational needs.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
0–2 years of experience in mechanical, industrial, environmental, or utility work.
Valid driver's license.
Must obtain any required license within the designated timeframe; license requirements vary by state.
Ability to learn water distribution system components and applicable field-operation safety practices.
Basic familiarity with mechanical equipment used in field service, including valves, meters, hand and power tools, and construction equipment.
Ability to perform basic measurements and calculations and accurately record field data.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with operations and maintenance personnel, supervisors, and external contractors.
Ability to read and interpret basic maps, plans, and utility drawings.
Basic understanding of piping systems and mechanical principles related to water distribution work, and awareness of electrical safety practices.
Basic computer proficiency, including mobile devices and software for work orders, meter reading, and field documentation.
Ability to follow established procedures and escalate abnormal conditions or emergencies.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and meet the physical requirements of the position, including standing, climbing stairs, walking or sitting for extended periods; safely lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and moving materials up to 80 pounds; and crouching, stooping, or kneeling for extended or repeated periods.
Ability to safely drive a company vehicle for extended or intermittent periods in varying conditions and frequently enter and exit vehicles.

Nice To Haves

Technical school coursework in industrial maintenance, mechanical systems, electrical systems, or a related field.
Prior water or wastewater treatment experience.

Responsibilities

Drive and operate company vehicles and equipment, including dump trucks, backhoes, and other equipment used for field service duties.
Operate hand and power tools; break asphalt and concrete with pneumatic tools; excavate valves and curb boxes; and position pipes, valves, fittings, and related infrastructure.
Tap into pressurized water mains, install repair clamps, flare and connect service piping, and operate valves, hydrants, and related appurtenances.
Operate pneumatic and/or hydraulic boring equipment for line installation and repair activities.
Complete and maintain forms, sketches, field notes, and documentation using maps and system records.
Read meters as required by daily schedules.
Work in meter boxes, confined spaces, trenches, and excavations.
Obtain and record water meter readings within established timeframes to support accurate customer billing.
Measure pressure and flow at meters to detect leaks.
Perform service turn-ons, turn-offs, and other customer-facing operational tasks according to company procedures.
Investigate and resolve customer service issues through professional communication and timely response.
Perform other duties as assigned.