Utility Technician

Essential Utilities, Inc.•Valparaiso, IN

About The Position

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team! About Essential Utilities Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint. Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

Requirements

Must possess a high school diploma or GED.
No previous experience is required although mechanical and/or electrical experience is preferred.
Valid U.S. driver's license
Must have the ability to operate computers and related software to retrieve and recorded data and information related to the work.
Be trustworthy, conscientious, and have the proper regard for the use of time and equipment, and an awareness of the responsibility to safeguard the water supply and prevent pollution of area surface water.
Have the technical, academic and physical ability to perform the duties of this classification.
Have a personality that allows cooperation with, communication with, and assistance to other employees and the public.
Be able to readily read, understand and accurately follow operating instructions as given by supervisors.
Be neat, reliable, and resourceful, have a retentive memory, and be able to think and act promptly.
Be able to discern between the relative importance of assigned duties.
Be able to send and receive instructions by radio, computer and/or telephone.
Have a good foundation in understanding the operations and maintenance of a sanitary sewer collection system, including the operation of pumps, valves; ARVs, lift station control panels, SCADATA equipment, compressors, chemical equipment, and other appurtenances.
Demonstrate good working knowledge on how to use and maintain cleaning equipment, televising equipment, bypass equipment, stand alone or portable generator equipment, small utility crane truck vehicle, locating equipment; GPS equipment, and such other equipment as the Company may have or acquire
Have a working ability to safely install pipe, manholes, pumps, ARVs, floats/transducers, related valves, fittings, and other appurtenances.

Nice To Haves

Holding a collection certification, wastewater license, or a PACP, MACP, LACP license is not required however, having a desire to acquire one is supported by the Company.
This person must have integrity which demonstrates honesty in the work that they perform; respect which demonstrates their ability to work among diverse groups within the Company, and then to have excellence which demonstrates a quality in an individual wanting to be outstanding or extremely good at their job.

Responsibilities

Understands the operation of equipment such as backhoe; vacuum/jetter truck; sewer TV inspection equipment; back-up pumps; compressors; welder; generators and such other equipment as the Company may have or acquire.
Installation, maintenance and repair of wastewater collection pipes, manholes, pumps, service lines and related valves, fittings and appurtenances.
Meets with customers and resolves inquiries regarding sewer utility service.
Understand proper use of tools and instruments associated with the work.
Make measurements, surveys and perform infrastructure locates.
Read, understand, interpret and apply information from plans, system drawings, schematics and operations manuals to the performance of the work.
Perform and record construction inspections and tests of distribution and collection system pipes, hydrants, valves, manholes, meters, computer controls, pumps and appurtenances.
Wear and maintain required personal protective equipment and company provided uniforms.
Perform the duties in a safe manner following OSHA, 10HSA, USDOT, Company and any other applicable safety related rules and regulations.
Understand safety inspection requirements and maintenance of vehicles.
Be reasonably available for overtime work, on-call duty and for emergency call-out duty, as necessary to provide service to the public.
Perform other duties as assigned to provide service to customers and/or forward the goals and objectives of the organization.
Maintain grounds over pipe, services, and all other Company owned property.
Housekeeping of Company properties, garages, and equipment/materials in the yards.
Keeping track of inventory as it comes in and out of the yards.
Must be able to conduct inspections of development/capital projects such as having the ability to read and follow construction plans, witnessing of pipe installation, upholding of Company standards and specification, taking measurements, documentation through photos and written work, recording through documentation of required testing after installation, submitting all witnessed work to the engineering department.
Communicating with the engineering department on all projects as needed.
Locating of the Company's owned assets such as pipe, manholes, cleanouts, valves, and other appurtenances while using the provided GIS maps and AutoCAD maps to assist you in properly locating assets within the sanitary sewer collection system; as to prevent damage from various contractors, homeowners or other utilities.
Load and unload various items that are delivered to the office, WWTP, or onsite with Company provided equipment.
All Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) must be followed in order to perform jobs successfully, without injury, and with quick responses to non-emergency and emergency issues within the collection system.
To be reasonably available for overtime work, on call duty, and emergency call-out duty as scheduled or unscheduled when necessary to provide service to the public.
Maintaining a professional appearance and professional demeanor when dealing with the Company's customers and with the public is a must.
The Company's core values are Integrity, Respect, and Excellence and therefore those values should show when our employees are engaging with customers, vendors or the public.
Communication skills (verbal or written) are equally important to help others to understand the collection system when resolving customer complaints, when helping other departments to understand what is out in the system, to help their supervisor and co-workers understand what needs to be addressed out in the field.