Utility Technician I

General Statement

The Utility Technician I, under general supervision, performs entry-level maintenance and repair within the Union County Water Department. Work involves installing and repairing water/sewer taps, emergency and routine system repairs, locating water/sewer lines, fire hydrant flushing and maintenance, valve exercise and maintenance/repair, cleaning and maintaining sewer lines, utility right-of-ways maintenance including mowing, and operating various types of heavy equipment and pumps. Other duties may require attending training and providing assistance to other areas as needed.

Essential Functions

Assist in performing preventative maintenance on all equipment and facilities as appropriate.

Conducting routine inspections and scheduled PM's. Records PM's, asset maintenance records, and work order completion in the work order system.

Exercises valves ensuring proper operation, repair broken valve boxes and valves, conducts investigation into water pressure and water quality issues, assists customers with complaints taking necessary actions and precautions, conduct water sampling to ensure water quality and regulatory compliance, flush and maintain hydrants.

Operates and maintains equipment including vehicles, trucks, booms/cranes, power tools, fork lifts, safety systems, tractors, excavators, backhoes, skid steers,etc.

Enters and works in permit required confined space as necessary.

Conducts and assists with water/sewer line construction and repair, locate water/sewer lines, and install and repair water/sewer taps, landscaping areas after pipe installation or repair work, repair broken meter boxes, replace faulty meters.

Maintains and cleans water/sewer lines ensuring proper system operation, maintains water/sewer right-of-ways including mowing and inspections, operate Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) inspection equipment and vacuum/hydraulic jetter equipment.

Maintains pump and booster stations.

Utilizes proper safety precautions related to all work performed and participates in monthly safety meetings, attending all required safety training.

Serves on a regular roster rotation for on-call duty or will be required to work a night shift as assigned.

Performs work in emergency situations as required.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

High School Diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED).

Licenses or Certifications:

Ability to obtain the appropriate State water and/or sewer certifications, as well as, industry standard training and certifications, including, but not limited to, NC DOT approved flagger safety training, Federal OSHA excavation requirements including competent person, confined space.

Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.

Must obtain a valid Class “A” Commercial Driver's License within 12 months of hire.

Special Requirements:

Employment pre-placement Drug and/or Alcohol test required for this position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

High School Diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED), and six (6) months of related experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

Must has a valid Class “A” Commercial Driver's License with Tanker Endorsement License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.

Any of the following certifications:

North Carolina Grade C Water Distribution System Operator certification.

NC Cross Connection Control System Operator certification.

North Carolina Grade I Water Pollution Control Collection System Operator certification.

Special Requirements:

Employment pre-placement Drug and/or Alcohol test required for this position.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including trucks, boring machines, tractor trailers, wheel loaders, tamps, computers, locators, air compressors, etc. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Requires the ability to maintain body equilibrium when bending, stooping, crouching, climbing, reaching and/or stretching arms, legs or other parts of body to grasp, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical requirements are for Heavy Work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in an environment with heavy equipment and machinery that could result in bodily harm to co-workers or others. Work performed in all types of weather.

INSURANCE PROGRAMS

HEALTH INSURANCE

All full-time employees and their eligible dependents can participate on the first day of the first full month of employment. You must sign up for coverage within your first 30 days of employment or wait until the annual enrollment period. Preventative Care Coverage Prescription Coverage

Health & Wellness Center available exclusively to Union County employees, spouses and dependents covered under the health plan.

DENTAL INSURANCE

All full-time employees and their eligible dependents can participate on the first day of the first full month of employment. You must sign up for coverage within your first 30 days of employment or wait until the annual enrollment period.

LIFE INSURANCE

Basic Term life Insurance in the amount of one times the annual salary is provided for all full-time and benefitted part-time employees. Additional coverage for Life Insurance (Accident, Cancer, Long Term and Short Term) is available for purchase through payroll deduction for the employee and eligible dependents.

FINANCIAL PROGRAMS

RETIREMENT

Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement System is a requirement for all full-time and benefitted part-time employees. Employees contribute six percent (6%) of their annual compensation before it is taxed. If you leave County service before retirement, you may withdraw your retirement contributions or elect to freeze your contributions in anticipation of future local government employment. If you have five (5) years of service, you are 100% vested in the NCLGERS.

NC401(k)

The NC401(k) supplemental retirement program is available to full-time and benefitted part-time employees. The County establishes this 401(k) account for each eligible employee and makes a five percent (5%) contribution based on biweekly earnings. Employees may elect to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction.

457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The 457 Deferred Compensation program is available to all employees through payroll deduction. Deferred compensation is a voluntary investment plan to supplement retirement income and to defer taxable income.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS

Options are available to regular full-time and benefitted part-time employees who wish to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and daycare expenses. The Flex Debit Card program gives you instant access to your account funds.

Health Care Spending Account - Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health care expenses.

Dependent Care Spending Account - Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible dependent care expenses.

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Deposit of your paycheck will be made to checking or savings accounts in a bank of your choice.

TRUIST

No Overdraft Fees

$100 Negative Balance Buffer

Online and Mobile Banking with Bill Pay

LEAVE PROGRAMS

VACATION LEAVE

Vacation leave is accrued based on creditable years of service in the Local Government Employees Retirement System.

SICK LEAVE

For full-time County employees, sick leave accrues at eight (8.0) hours per month. Benefitted part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on a percentage of the full-time rate. Your unused sick leave balance can be applied as creditable service toward a service retirement under the guidelines of the NCLGERS.

SICK LEAVE TRANSFER FROM OTHER AGENCIES

Unused sick leave earned from another North Carolina Governmental Agency and/or entity, will be accepted and transferred to the County as follows: twelve (12) sick leave days will be transferred and added to the employees active sick leave balance after completion of six (6) months of employment. The remaining balance of sick leave documented for transfer at the time of employment will be recorded in the employees permanent personnel file. On the fifth anniversary of employment with the County, the remaining balance of transferred sick leave will be added to the employees active sick leave balance.

HOLIDAYS

There are 13 County recognized holidays (includes 3 days for Christmas) per year with 1 floating holiday available.

UNIFORMED SERVICES LEAVE

Eligible employees - 30 paid workdays granted.

CIVIL LEAVE

Paid leave is provided to full-time or regular part-time County employees called for jury duty or as a witness of the court for the federal or state government, or a subdivision thereof.

FAMILY & MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Federal law provides job protection and continuation of existing paid health insurance during 12 weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, to an eligible employee for qualifying events. These events can include birth or adoption, and serious illness of an immediate family member, or of the employee.

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE

Parental Leave provides the employee paid leave for the first eight weeks of approved FML for the birth of a son or daughter, or placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

Educational Leave is available to regular full-time and benefitted part-time employees when participating in a job-related, short course, such as an update, not to exceed ten (10) consecutive working days.

VOLUNTEER TIME OFF

Volunteer Time Off will provide employees with 16 hours of paid time per calendar year to volunteer at approved Union County community partner agencies.

OTHER PROGRAMS

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Employee Assistance Program is open to all employees and their dependents. It is a confidential service provided at no cost to the employees of the County. EAP provides certified counselors who administer assessment and brief therapy to employees who want help with a variety of personal and work-related issues such as stress, parenting concerns, grief, alcohol/drug use, family problems, financial concerns, and work-related problems.

AQUATIC AND FITNESS CENTER

We believe that staying healthy is more than just exercising regularly and eating well. Individual and family discount membership and monthly dues are available to full-time and benefitted part-time employees through payroll deduction.

NATIONAL COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM

The National College Savings Program is open to all employees. The Program is designed to provide certain tax advantages, encourage and facilitate saving to pay the costs of attending eligible institutions.