Utility Technician Trainee

This is manual and semi-skilled construction, maintenance and repair work.  Bargaining unit position.

An employee in this class is responsible for performing various manual and semi-skilled tasks of average difficulty in construction, maintenance, and repair at Water Distribution, Collections, or Stormwater Divisions. Employees operate power tools and small equipment. Under guidance, the employee exercises minimal initiative and independent judgment in performing assigned tasks. Employees may only remain in this class for up to one year while working towards the mandatory requirement to become a Utility Technician I.  Some positions might require the employee to perform tasks of a hazardous nature and to work shifts. Work is reviewed while in progress and upon completion through observations and results obtained.

Performs manual and semi-skilled laboring tasks related to construction, repair, and maintenance; cuts out streets and driveways; excavates to facilitate manual repair, backfills and compacts excavated areas; installs erosion control material (rip rap, sandbags) .

Locates utilities on the job or digs out utilities by hand with guidance. Performs simple measurements; interprets gauge and meter readings.

Receives parts and materials from warehouse personnel.

Transports materials, tools and equipment to and from job sites; setups and removes warning signs and traffic control devices with guidance.

Assists with cleaning and upkeep of vehicles and maintains checklist; cleans work area.

Operates electronic utility locators; hand and power tools; small equipment such as walk behind rollers, tampers, saws; fire hydrants; gas detector equipment; and air compressors and generators.

Water department task require testing, repair, and replacement of water service-lines, water mains, and the associated assets, for example, meters, valves, and fire hydrants.  

Stormwater infrastructure Inspections, maintenance, repair, and construction .  Requires physical strength, technical skill, equipment proficiency

Utilize various hand tools to perform manual labor, trouble shoot stormwater issues, and determine viable solutions.  

Repairs and rehabs cave-ins to  including entering pipes for internal structural repairs

Construction duties include installation and replacement of drain systems, construct and reconstruct retention ponds, 

Masonry grading and regrading

Generating reports for various areas and divisions

Performs related work as required.

Some knowledge of: proper safety practices; proper use of hand signals for equipment operations; gas detector equipment; pipe sizes and materials; confined space; directional flow of collection systems or water distribution systems; communications equipment.

Ability to: read and write; understand and follow oral and written instructions; read and interpret road map; drive and work safely; perform work requiring physical strength; work in confined spaces; operate small equipment; work in a team atmosphere; read and interpret engineering plans, drawing, and stormwater maps; communicate effectively; work in physical demanding environment,  deal with and resolve conflict within a team; be courteous under pressure; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and general public.

Skill in: the use and care of basic hand and power tools; the use of small equipment; driving truck.  MOT (maintenance of traffic Standards)

Mostly outside work, able to lift up to 50 lbs., stand, works outdoors very frequently. Requires some use of computer, typing and viewing a monitor.

Graduation from an accredited high school, technical or vocational school; or, if already employed at Water Distribution, Collections or Stormwater must meet Trainee level of the skills matrix.

Possession of a valid Florida Commercial driver’s license, Class "A" (with tanker endorsement) (for Collections and Stormwater). Possession of a valid Florida Commercial driver’s license, Class “B” (for Water Distribution Only). All skills required for Utility Technician I must be obtained within one year.

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

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