Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Utility Workforce Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Utility Workforce Technician performs field-based installation, maintenance, inspection, troubleshooting and emergency response for municipal and investor-owned utility infrastructure (water distribution, wastewater collection, gas distribution, electric distribution, and utility metering). This role requires hands-on mechanical and electrical aptitude, safe operation of heavy equipment and service vehicles, strong customer-facing skills, and adherence to regulatory and safety standards (OSHA, confined space, lockout/tagout, NFPA/NESC as applicable). Utility Workforce Technicians support 24/7 operations, scheduled preventive maintenance, capital projects, meter services, and storm or outage restoration.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Utility Apprentice / Trainee (lineman, water tech, meter reader)
Facilities or Grounds Maintenance Technician
Heavy Equipment Operator or Construction Laborer

Advancement To:

Lead Utility Technician / Crew Leader
Field Supervisor / Foreman (Distribution or Collection)
Utility Operations Supervisor / Manager
Senior Technician, Maintenance Planner, or Reliability Specialist

Lateral Moves:

SCADA Technician / Instrumentation Tech
Water/Wastewater Treatment Operator
Gas Distribution Specialist
Electrical Distribution Lineman

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Inspect, install, maintain and repair distribution infrastructure including water mains, valves, hydrants, gas mains and service lines, electric distribution equipment, manholes, and utility meters in accordance with safety and operational procedures.
Safely operate and maintain field equipment such as backhoes, excavators, dump trucks, vacuum trucks, line-locators, trench boxes, and utility service vehicles during construction, repair, and restoration activities.
Perform emergency response and outage restoration duties 24/7, including storm damage assessment, temporary repairs, service isolation, and coordination with dispatch to restore customer service safely and quickly.
Conduct leak detection, line locating, pressure testing, flow testing, and cathodic protection checks to identify and mitigate distribution system risks and ensure regulatory compliance.
Execute planned preventive maintenance programs — valve exercising, hydrant maintenance, pump station inspections, meter testing and calibration — and document work completed in computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
Read and interpret as-built drawings, utility maps, GIS data, schematics and construction plans to accurately locate and repair underground utilities and coordinate excavation and permitting activities.
Perform safe confined space entry and rescue support, including pre-entry inspections, air monitoring, ventilation, and use of retrieval systems, following confined space protocols and permit requirements.
Install, read, troubleshoot and replace residential and commercial utility meters and metering equipment, including AMI/AMR devices, ensuring accurate billing and customer service follow-up.
Execute safe hot-work, lockout/tagout, and de-energization procedures; follow electrified equipment isolation standards and wear appropriate PPE for electrical and arc-flash hazards when applicable.
Perform pipeline repair and replacement tasks including tapping, coupling, fusion, welding or mechanical joining of pipes and fittings in accordance with material and engineering specifications.
Monitor and maintain pump stations, lift stations and related electrical/mechanical equipment — including motors, drives, valves and controls — performing troubleshooting, lubrication and minor repairs.
Collect field samples and perform basic laboratory testing (chlorine residuals, turbidity, pH, BOD/TSS sampling for wastewater) and document chain-of-custody and test results per regulatory schedules.
Use hand and power tools, pressure gauges, meters, thermographic cameras and diagnostic instruments to isolate faults and verify repairs, ensuring all tools are calibrated and stored properly.
Coordinate traffic control, excavation safety, public notices and restoration of public right-of-way surfaces and vegetation after repairs, complying with municipal standards and permitting requirements.
Perform customer service tasks such as service turn-ons/turn-offs, meter exchanges, safety inspections, and field troubleshooting while maintaining a professional and helpful demeanor with residents and business customers.
Participate in project coordination with contractors, engineers and inspection staff during capital improvement projects and emergency repairs to ensure work meets quality and safety standards.
Maintain accurate and timely field records, daily logs, work orders, service tickets and GIS updates; enter field data into mobile devices, tablets, or enterprise systems for traceability and billing.
Support on-the-job training and mentoring for apprentices and new hires; lead toolbox talks, safety briefings and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce incidents and increase reliability.
Perform smell, pressure, and visual inspections for gas service irregularities; secure and ventilate areas, isolate services and notify emergency responders as required for hazardous conditions.
Conduct preventive cathodic and corrosion control activities, including anode replacement, rectifier inspections and mitigation recommendations to extend asset life and maintain safety.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the development and continuous improvement of standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency response plans and preventive maintenance schedules.
Support inventory management by tracking parts, materials and tooling needs, placing purchase requests, and organizing storerooms to minimize downtime.
Complete after-action reports, incident investigations and corrective action documentation following outages, spills or safety incidents; present findings in crew debriefs.
Provide input to capital planning teams by reporting recurring failure modes, asset condition assessments and field observations that inform replacement prioritization.
Participate in cross-functional initiatives such as meter reading optimization, data quality efforts, GIS cleanup, and pilot projects for new technologies (AMI, leak detection sensors, remote valves).
Support community outreach and public education efforts relating to safe digging practices, utility locate requests (811), water conservation, and emergency preparedness.
Assist scheduling and dispatch in prioritizing reactive and preventive work based on risk, customer impact and regulatory deadlines.
Contribute to training materials, competency matrices and certification tracking to maintain a qualified and compliant field workforce.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in excavation, backfilling, shoring and trench safety; experienced with trench boxes, shoring systems and OSHA excavation rules.
Operation and basic maintenance of heavy equipment: backhoe, excavator, vacuum truck, skid steer, and utility cranes.
Hands-on experience installing and repairing water, wastewater, gas and/or electrical distribution components including meters, valves, hydrants, service lines, and poles.
Competence with pipeline joining methods (mechanical couplings, solvent welding, fusion, tapping) and pipe materials (PVC, HDPE, ductile iron, steel).
Metering technology experience: installation, testing and replacement of mechanical and electronic meters, AMI/AMR modules and communication devices.
Proficient with utility locators, pipe/cable locators, GPS/GIS mobile data capture, and reading/annotating as-built plans.
Familiarity with confined space entry procedures, atmospheric testing equipment, retrieval systems and rescue practices.
Strong electrical troubleshooting skills for low-voltage systems, motor controls, starters, and basic switchgear; understanding of NESC/NFPA 70E where applicable.
Experience with CMMS, mobile field data apps, electronic work orders and basic office software (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace).
Knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements including OSHA, EPA, state water/wastewater rules, DOT and local permitting.
Certifications such as CDL Class B (preferred), OSHA 10/30, First Aid/CPR, confined space, HAZWOPER (as applicable), NIMS/ICS training, and industry-specific operator certifications.

Soft Skills

Strong safety mindset with the ability to consistently apply procedures, PPE use, and situational awareness in dynamic field conditions.
Clear, professional verbal and written communication for customer interactions, crew coordination, and accurate reporting.
Problem-solving orientation: diagnose issues in the field, propose practical repairs, and escalate complex problems appropriately.
Team player who collaborates with technicians, supervisors, contractors and emergency services during restoration and projects.
Time management and task prioritization to meet service windows, emergency response requirements and preventive maintenance schedules.
Adaptability and resilience when responding to weather events, high-pressure outages, and changing operational priorities.
Attention to detail for correct meter readings, accurate documentation, safe excavation and compliance with permit conditions.
Customer service focus with an ability to de-escalate situations and explain technical issues in plain language.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED (required).

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical certificate in Utility Technology, Electrical Technology, Construction Technology, or related trades.
Completion of a lineman program, water/wastewater operator certification coursework, or technician apprenticeship.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Utility Technology / Distribution Systems
Electrical or Mechanical Technology
Civil Construction / Heavy Equipment Operation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on utility field experience; entry-level candidates with strong mechanical aptitude and apprenticeship exposure considered.

Preferred: 3+ years of utility distribution or field service experience (water, wastewater, gas or electric), demonstrated emergency response experience, and documented certifications (CDL, OSHA, confined space, First Aid/CPR).