Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Utilities Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Utilities Technician is responsible for the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of utility systems including electrical, water, gas, steam, HVAC, and process piping across industrial, commercial, or municipal facilities. This role ensures continuous, safe, and efficient utility services by performing preventive maintenance, emergency response, system monitoring, and compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Ideal candidates combine hands-on technical skills with strong safety awareness, documentation practices, and effective communication with operations and engineering teams.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Junior Maintenance Technician / Maintenance Apprentice
Electrical Apprentice / Electrical Helper
HVAC Technician or Plumbing Apprentice

Advancement To:

Senior Utilities Technician / Lead Utilities Technician
Utilities Supervisor / Shift Supervisor
Facilities Manager or Maintenance Manager
Field Operations Manager or Plant Engineer

Lateral Moves:

Instrumentation & Controls Technician
Metering/SCADA Specialist
Reliability Technician / Predictive Maintenance Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform routine and preventive maintenance on electrical distribution systems (transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers), ensuring continuity of service, documenting maintenance activities, and coordinating outages to minimize production impact.
Troubleshoot and repair mechanical and rotating equipment (pumps, blowers, compressors, motors) using diagnostic tools, vibration analysis, and hands-on mechanical techniques to restore system performance quickly and reliably.
Inspect, test, calibrate, and maintain utility metering equipment (flow meters, pressure transmitters, gas meters, water meters) and validate readings to ensure accurate billing, regulatory compliance, and operational metrics.
Operate and maintain building and process HVAC systems, including chillers, boilers, air handlers, and control valves; adjust controls and perform preventative servicing to maintain temperature and air quality standards.
Respond to emergency alarms, utility failures, leaks, and process upsets 24/7 as required; isolate affected systems, perform temporary repairs, and coordinate with operations and engineering for permanent resolution.
Perform confined space entry, lockout-tagout (LOTO), and energized work where applicable, following OSHA, NFPA 70E, and site-specific safety procedures while maintaining accurate permits and rescue plans.
Maintain and repair domestic and process piping systems including valves, fittings, and pumps; perform pipefitting, threading, welding/brazing, and flange replacement to maintain fluid and gas distribution integrity.
Conduct electrical troubleshooting on low- and medium-voltage systems using multimeters, clamp meters, insulation testers, and thermal cameras; diagnose faults, replace components, and verify proper operation post-repair.
Perform preventive maintenance programs (PM rounds), create and update PM schedules, generate work orders, and log completed maintenance in CMMS (e.g., SAP, Maximo, Oracle Work Orders).
Support commissioning and start-up of utility equipment and systems by performing pre-start checks, functional testing, and coordination with vendors and project engineers to ensure successful handover.
Monitor facility utility systems via SCADA, BMS, or DCS interfaces; analyze alarms and trends, initiate corrective action, and escalate complex issues to engineering while documenting findings and interventions.
Conduct vibration, oil analysis, and thermography inspections as part of a predictive maintenance program; interpret results, recommend corrective actions, and coordinate repairs to prevent catastrophic failures.
Repair and maintain gas detection systems, emergency ventilation, and fire/safety-related utilities, ensuring life-safety systems remain functional and compliant with local codes and internal policies.
Perform motor control repairs, install and calibrate variable frequency drives (VFDs), starters, relays, and PLC I/O components; collaborate with controls specialists for software-related troubleshooting.
Execute planned shutdowns and turnarounds: prepare scopes of work, take part in pre-shutdown planning, execute maintenance tasks safely under tight schedules, and verify restart procedures.
Maintain accurate asset records, update schematics and as-built drawings, and contribute to preventive maintenance optimization through condition-based recommendations and root cause analysis documentation.
Test and maintain water treatment and chemical feed systems, ensure correct dosing and compliance with environmental discharge limits, and coordinate sampling with environmental teams.
Install, inspect, and repair site utility infrastructure such as underground piping, manholes, hydrants, and trenching; coordinate with contractors and follow excavation safety procedures and locates.
Perform housekeeping, inventory control, and spare parts management for utilities shops; recommend critical spare lists and coordinate procurement to prevent extended downtime.
Train junior technicians, apprentices, and operations staff on safe work practices, preventive maintenance procedures, and emergency response for utility systems, fostering a culture of safety and reliability.
Coordinate with external vendors and contractors for specialized repairs and inspections (transformer oil testing, boiler certifications, certified welders) and verify work meets contractual and safety requirements.
Conduct routine environmental and regulatory inspections related to utilities (stormwater controls, gas leaks, emissions points), prepare reports, and implement corrective actions to maintain compliance.
Execute energy conservation measures by identifying inefficiencies in utility systems, recommending upgrades or process improvements, and participating in facility energy management initiatives.
Maintain proficiency with technical documentation: read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, instrumentation diagrams, and operation manuals to support troubleshooting and maintenance tasks.
Support capital projects by providing field expertise during design reviews, ensuring constructability and maintainability of new utility systems, and assisting with punch-list completion.

Secondary Functions

Assist in developing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety checklists, and maintenance protocols for utility systems to improve consistency and compliance.
Provide subject-matter input to the maintenance planning team for estimating labor, materials, and downtime during scheduled outages and capital projects.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, 5S, RCM) to reduce maintenance backlog, improve mean time between failures (MTBF), and enhance overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
Support cross-functional teams (operations, engineering, environmental, safety) during investigations, audits, and root cause analyses to identify and implement corrective actions.
Contribute to workforce development by mentoring apprentices, delivering toolbox talks, and documenting lessons learned to build team competency and resilience.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Electrical troubleshooting and repair (low/medium voltage systems, switchgear, transformers, circuit breakers).
Mechanical maintenance of rotating equipment (pumps, compressors, motors) including alignment and bearing replacement.
HVAC and boiler system maintenance, chiller operation, and steam system knowledge.
Piping and plumbing skills: pipefitting, welding/brazing, valve maintenance, and leak repair.
SCADA/BMS/DCS monitoring and basic controls troubleshooting; understanding of PLC I/O and VFDs.
Calibration and maintenance of instrumentation and sensors (pressure, flow, temperature, level).
Confined space entry, rope access basics, and rescue procedures with applicable permit management.
Competence with CMMS platforms (creating/closing work orders, PM scheduling, asset tagging).
Use of diagnostic tools: multimeter, clamp meter, thermal camera, vibration meter, and gas detectors.
Knowledge of safety standards and regulatory frameworks (OSHA, NFPA 70E, EPA, local utility codes).
Metering systems maintenance (water, gas, steam metering) and meter calibration techniques.
Welding, brazing, and basic fabrication skills for in-field repairs.
Preventive and predictive maintenance methods including thermography, oil analysis, and vibration analysis.
Excavation, trenching, and underground utilities work with adherence to utility locates and safety procedures.

Soft Skills

Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills with an emphasis on practical, field-proven solutions.
Clear verbal and written communication for shift reports, handovers, and technical documentation.
Team collaboration and the ability to coordinate effectively with operations, engineering, and contractors.
Time management and prioritization to handle multiple maintenance tasks and emergency responses.
Attention to detail and meticulous record-keeping for compliance, safety, and audit readiness.
Adaptability and decision-making under pressure during plant upsets and outage conditions.
Initiative and continuous learning mindset to stay current with new utility technologies and best practices.
Customer-service orientation when interfacing with internal stakeholders or external vendors.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with relevant trade certifications (electrician, HVAC, plumbing, welding).

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical diploma in Electrical Technology, Mechanical Technology, HVAC, Industrial Maintenance, or a related technical field.
Certifications such as NATE, EPA 608 (for refrigerants), NCCER, or industry-recognized safety credentials.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Electrical Technology / Electrical Engineering Technology
Mechanical Technology / Industrial Maintenance
HVAC / Refrigeration
Instrumentation & Controls
Welding / Pipefitting

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on maintenance experience in utilities, facilities, or industrial environments.

Preferred: 3–7+ years of progressive experience maintaining utility systems (electric, water, gas, steam, HVAC) with documented experience in preventive and corrective maintenance, CMMS usage, and safety program participation.