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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Drain Technician

💰 $35,000 - $65,000

FacilitiesMaintenancePlumbingUtilities

🎯 Role Definition

A Drain Technician (also known as Sewer Technician, Drainage Specialist, or Drain Cleaner) is a hands‑on field professional responsible for diagnosing, cleaning, repairing and maintaining residential, commercial, and municipal drain and sewer systems. The role centers on operating truck‑mounted equipment (jetters, vacuums), performing CCTV camera inspections, executing point repairs and preventive maintenance, and ensuring safe, compliant confined‑space work. This position blends technical plumbing skills, heavy equipment operation, and strong customer service — critical for fast, reliable response to backups, blockages and infrastructure aging.

Keywords: Drain Technician, sewer technician, drain cleaning, hydro-jetting, CCTV inspection, vacuum truck, confined space entry, pipe repair, root removal, sewer lateral.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Maintenance Technician / Facilities Maintenance Worker
  • Plumbing Apprentice or Helper
  • Field Service Technician (HVAC, Landscaping, Utilities)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Drain Technician / Lead Technician
  • Service Supervisor or Field Operations Supervisor
  • Pipeline Rehabilitation / CIPP Technician
  • Field Service Manager or Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • CCTV Pipeline Inspector / Data Analyst (inspection reporting)
  • Vacuum Truck Operator / Hydrovac Technician
  • Preventive Maintenance Coordinator / Sewer Preventive Maintenance Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Respond promptly to service requests for clogged drains, sewer backups, and overflows; perform on‑site diagnostics and recommend corrective actions that minimize customer disruption and comply with municipal codes.
  • Operate truck‑mounted high‑pressure water jetting equipment (hydro‑jetter) to clear mains, laterals and storm drains safely and efficiently, adjusting pressure and nozzle selection for pipe material and blockage type.
  • Run CCTV camera inspections through mains and laterals to locate blockages, root intrusion, fractures, offsets, and sediment accumulation; generate detailed inspection reports with time‑stamped video, images, and recommended repairs.
  • Perform mechanical root cutting with power rooters and specialized cutters, removing root mass from sewer lines and advising customers on root control and long‑term mitigation.
  • Conduct emergency response for sewage backups and overflows, including vacuum truck operation to remove water/debris, deploy bypass pumping when required, and coordinate with environmental and municipal agencies for containment and remediation.
  • Execute spot repairs, pipe patching, and joint sealing on small‑diameter lines; install and remove inserts, couplings and lined sections as needed to restore flow and prevent repeat failures.
  • Perform confined space entry and rescue‑aware tasks using permits, harnesses, ventilation, gas monitoring and a buddy system to inspect and service manholes, wet wells and underground vaults.
  • Utilize electronic locating equipment (sonde locators, ground‑penetrating locators) and plumbing blueprints to trace laterals, identify service lines and verify elevations and invert locations for accurate repairs.
  • Conduct preventive maintenance programs for commercial and municipal accounts, including scheduled jetting, sediment removal and manhole maintenance to reduce emergency callouts and extend pipe life.
  • Maintain accurate work orders, inspection logs, safety checklists and service reports in the company’s field management software or mobile apps; capture photos, video and GPS coordinates for documentation and billing.
  • Advise customers and property managers on repair options, pipe rehabilitation techniques (CIPP, lining, point repair), cost estimates and recommended schedules, demonstrating strong upsell and solution‑selling skills when appropriate.
  • Follow hazardous materials handling procedures including safe use and disposal of root control chemicals, emulsifiers and degreasers; maintain MSDS records and PPE inventories.
  • Coordinate with public works, traffic control and utility locators to ensure safe excavation, traffic management and protection of underground utilities during repair and installation work.
  • Perform routine maintenance on service vehicles and heavy equipment including jetters, vac trucks and cameras; perform pre‑trip inspections, basic troubleshooting and report mechanical issues for timely repair.
  • Install and maintain catch basins, cleanouts and access points to improve system access and reduce future blockages; cut and prep pipe ends for coupling, patching and lining.
  • Conduct pressure testing and smoke testing to identify leaks, illicit connections and stormwater inflow/infiltration in sanitary systems; document results and recommend corrective action.
  • Train and mentor junior technicians and apprentices in safe operation of jetting and camera systems, proper confined space procedures, and accurate report writing.
  • Implement and enforce safety programs including PPE use, lockout/tagout, fall protection, and site hazard assessments; participate in safety meetings, incident investigations and corrective action planning.
  • Assist in inventory control and parts ordering for pumps, nozzles, camera reels, couplings and seals to ensure field readiness and minimize downtime.
  • Collaborate with project managers, engineers and contractors on larger rehabilitation projects, providing field insight on access points, pipe conditions and recommended repair sequences.
  • Provide professional, courteous customer service at all times; explain work to customers, answer questions about causes and long‑term prevention, and follow up to confirm problem resolution and satisfaction.
  • Maintain compliance with local, state and federal regulations relating to wastewater handling, confined space entry, stormwater protection and worker safety; complete required certifications and training renewals.

Secondary Functions

  • Support scheduling and dispatch by providing accurate time estimates and scope details for service calls to improve routing efficiency and SLA compliance.
  • Assist estimating and invoicing by documenting parts used, labor hours and recommended follow‑up work to streamline billing and customer communications.
  • Participate in pilot programs and trials for new drain cleaning technologies, cameras and rehabilitation methods; provide field feedback on performance and implementation needs.
  • Help maintain stock of consumables and safety supplies in the truck, performing periodic inventory counts and restocking before major jobs.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by reporting recurring failure modes, proposing preventive tactics, and participating in toolbox talks and operational reviews.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • High‑pressure water jetting / hydro‑jetter operation (nozzle selection, pressure control, hose management)
  • CCTV pipeline inspection and reporting (camera reels, push‑cameras, lateral launch systems, NASSCO PACP familiarity)
  • Vacuum truck / hydrovac operation and solids handling
  • Root cutting and mechanical augering for sewer lateral and mainline obstruction removal
  • Confined space entry, permit procedures, and rescue coordination; use of harnesses and retrieval systems
  • Atmospheric monitoring and gas detection (O2, LEL, H2S detectors) and pre‑entry testing
  • Pipe repair techniques: spot repairs, couplings, liners (CIPP basics), grout sealing and point repairs
  • Electronic locating and sonde operation to trace sewer laterals and buried utilities
  • Preventive maintenance planning for drainage systems and manhole maintenance
  • Truck and equipment preventive maintenance and basic troubleshooting skills
  • Use of field management / work order software, GPS tagging and digital photo/video documentation
  • Knowledge of municipal sewer regulations, stormwater controls, and environmental compliance
  • Basic plumbing skills (cleanouts, trap clearing, lateral connections) and pipe fitting (PVC, cast iron, clay)
  • Traffic control basics and OSHA/municipal requirements for work in public rights‑of‑way
  • CDL or class B driving experience where required by employer for heavy vehicles (if applicable)

Soft Skills

  • Strong customer service and professional communication when interacting with homeowners, property managers and municipal contacts
  • Problem‑solving and diagnostic thinking to identify root causes and recommend durable fixes
  • Time management and ability to prioritize multiple service calls during emergency response periods
  • Detail orientation for accurate reporting, inspection documentation and compliance adherence
  • Teamwork and willingness to mentor apprentices or work with contractors on multi‑trade projects
  • Flexibility and adaptability to respond to on‑call schedules, weather impacts and urgent after‑hours calls
  • Safety mindset with proactive hazard recognition and corrective action
  • Dependability, punctuality and a professional appearance in customer‑facing roles
  • Ability to learn new equipment and technologies quickly and apply manufacturer best practices
  • Resilience and stress tolerance during emergency cleanup, odor control, and high‑pressure situations

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational certificate or associate degree in Plumbing Technology, Construction Technology, or a related trade program.
  • Certifications such as OSHA 10/30, Confined Space Entry, NASSCO PACP/LACP (preferred), and CDL (if required by employer).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Plumbing Technology
  • Construction / Civil Technology
  • Environmental Science / Wastewater Technology
  • Mechanical Trades / Heavy Equipment Operation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years in drain cleaning, plumbing, or utility fieldwork; entry‑level candidates with relevant vocational training and strong mechanical aptitude may be considered.

Preferred:

  • 2–4 years of hands‑on experience operating jetters, CCTV cameras and vac trucks.
  • Proven experience with confined space entry and municipal sewer systems.
  • Demonstrated record of customer service in field service roles and ability to produce professional inspection reports.

Certifications and ongoing training are valued and often required for promotion to lead technician or supervisory roles.

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