Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Drainage Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Drainage Technician is a field-focused tradesperson who inspects, maintains, repairs and installs storm drainage systems, culverts, inlets, ditches and pump stations to ensure efficient surface water conveyance, protect public infrastructure and minimize flood risk. The role blends hands-on mechanical work (vacuum trucks, trenching, pipe repairs), diagnostic inspection (CCTV, flow assessments), environmental controls (sediment and erosion measures), and regulatory documentation (inspection reports, maintenance logs). The ideal Drainage Technician is physically fit, safety-minded, skilled with excavation and confined-space procedures, and experienced coordinating with operations, engineering and emergency response teams.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Utilities Laborer or General Maintenance Worker
Construction Laborer or Excavation Helper
Municipal Public Works Assistant

Advancement To:

Senior Drainage Technician / Lead Drainage Technician
Drainage Maintenance Supervisor / Field Supervisor
Stormwater Program Coordinator or Civil Maintenance Manager

Lateral Moves:

Sewer Technician / Sanitary Sewer Specialist
Wastewater or Pump Station Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct routine and scheduled inspections of storm drains, catch basins, culverts, ditches and pump stations using CCTV cameras, flow meters and visual assessments to identify blockages, structural damage, sediment accumulation and erosion risks, and document findings in electronic work orders.
Operate vacuum trucks (Vactor), sewer jets and high-pressure water equipment to clear roots, debris, sediment and grease from storm lines and catch basins, ensuring safe and efficient removal and appropriate disposal of material per environmental regulations.
Perform pipe repair, joint sealing, patching, slip-lining and short- and long-span culvert replacement work using hand tools and light construction equipment to restore hydraulic capacity and structural integrity.
Execute confined-space entry for access to manholes, vaults and pump pits following confined-space permit procedures, atmospheric testing, attendant responsibilities and rescue protocols to maintain crew safety and compliance.
Maintain, service and troubleshoot stormwater pump stations — including motors, controllers, floats, check valves and alarms — performing scheduled preventive maintenance and emergency repairs to minimize downtime.
Respond rapidly to emergency calls for flooding, blocked drains and pump failures, assess on-site risks, implement immediate mitigation (pumping, temporary bypasses, debris removal) and coordinate with emergency services and supervisors.
Dig, backfill and compact trenches for drainage pipe installation and repair using excavators, backhoes and hand tools while following shoring, trench safety and traffic management procedures.
Install, adjust and repair inlets, grates, headwalls, flared end sections and trash racks to optimize inlet performance and reduce blockages from debris and sediment.
Implement erosion and sediment control measures (silt fences, turbidity curtains, check dams, riprap) at work sites and during construction to protect waterways and ensure compliance with stormwater permits and local regulations.
Use CCTV Inspection systems to perform video inspections of storm sewer lines, annotate defects, measure pipe grade and provide coded reports for engineering assessment and capital planning.
Read blueprints, site plans, as-builts and GIS maps to locate underground infrastructure, determine pipe slopes and depths, and plan excavation approaches while minimizing impacts to utilities and public property.
Coordinate traffic control for roadside drainage work, setting cones, signs and barriers and following MUTCD guidelines or local traffic management standards to protect workers and the public.
Collect water and sediment samples for turbidity and basic quality testing when required, following chain-of-custody and sampling protocols for environmental monitoring and regulatory reporting.
Operate skid-steer loaders, mini-excavators, trenchers and other light equipment to remove sediment, shape ditches and install pipe bedding, performing routine checks and basic maintenance on equipment.
Maintain accurate digital and paper records including daily logs, maintenance histories, CCTV inspection reports and material manifests to support regulatory compliance and asset management systems.
Communicate directly with residents, businesses and stakeholders on-site to explain work scope, respond to concerns and minimize disruption during drainage repairs or emergency responses.
Coordinate with engineers, permitting authorities and contractors to facilitate planned upgrades, capital repairs and complex rehabilitation projects, providing field-level input and as-built observations.
Cut, thread and join pipe materials (PVC, HDPE, corrugated metal, concrete) using appropriate adhesives, couplers and welding techniques per manufacturer and engineering specifications.
Remove, handle and properly dispose of contaminated sediment, organics and debris in accordance with local environmental regulations and workplace hazardous materials procedures.
Lead or participate in preventive maintenance programs such as catch basin cleaning cycles, ditch mowing/clearing schedules and pump station inspection plans to extend asset life and reduce emergency interventions.
Mentor and train junior technicians and seasonal workers in safe excavation, confined-space procedures, equipment operation and best practices for drainage maintenance and repair.
Conduct site risk assessments prior to starting work, implement required PPE and lockout/tagout procedures, and ensure all activities adhere to OSHA, local safety codes and company policies.

Secondary Functions

Assist engineering staff with field measurements, as-built documentation and verification of completed drainage projects to support capital planning and GIS updates.
Support permit application processes by providing inspection records, photographic evidence and field notes required for regulatory approvals and environmental compliance.
Maintain inventory of parts, valves, pumps, fittings and consumables, and recommend procurement of specialty parts based on recurring failures or aging infrastructure.
Participate in after-action reviews and continuous improvement sessions to refine response protocols, preventive maintenance schedules and equipment selection.
Provide on-call coverage rotations and participate in storm response drills to maintain team readiness for severe weather and flood events.
Contribute to community outreach and education efforts about stormwater pollution prevention, proper yard waste disposal and drainage system stewardship.
Assist with seasonal tasks such as leaf and debris management, culvert inlet protection ahead of high-flow seasons and snow/ice-related drainage mitigation.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

CCTV sewer and stormwater inspection systems operation and video logging.
Operation and maintenance of vacuum (Vactor) trucks, high-pressure jetting units and portable pumps.
Confined-space entry procedures, permit systems and atmospheric testing (gas detectors).
Trenching and excavation techniques, trench safety, shoring and backfill/compaction best practices.
Pipe installation and repair skills for multiple materials (PVC, HDPE, CMP, concrete), including coupling and bedding techniques.
Pump station troubleshooting and basic electrical/mechanical repairs (motors, floats, controls).
Heavy equipment operation: mini-excavators, skid-steers, backhoes and trenchers (basic certification preferred).
Traffic control setup and MUTCD-compliant lane and work zone management.
Erosion and sediment control installation (silt fences, turbidity curtains, riprap, check dams).
GIS and asset-management software usage for locating assets and updating inspection/maintenance records.
Basic water quality sampling and chain-of-custody procedures.
Reading civil plans, as-builts and interpreting grades, invert elevations and pipe specifications.

Soft Skills

Strong safety mindset with the ability to enforce and follow strict safety protocols.
Clear verbal and written communication for field reporting, stakeholder interaction and teamwork.
Problem-solving and troubleshooting under pressure during emergency responses.
Physical stamina and dexterity to perform repetitive manual tasks, lift heavy items and work in variable weather conditions.
Time management and ability to prioritize multiple competing service calls and routine maintenance tasks.
Attention to detail for accurate inspection documentation, measurements and inventory control.
Customer service orientation when interacting with residents, contractors and municipal stakeholders.
Adaptability and willingness to learn new equipment, technologies and regulatory requirements.
Team player who can both lead small crews and follow direction from supervisors and engineers.
Professional ethics and reliability, including attendance for on-call rotations and scheduled emergency coverage.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; demonstrated experience in utilities, construction or field maintenance accepted in lieu of formal post-secondary education.

Preferred Education:

Technical certificate or associate degree in Civil Technology, Construction Management, Environmental Science, or a related trade program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Civil Engineering Technology
Environmental Science / Water Resources
Heavy Equipment Operation / Construction Trades
Occupational Health & Safety / Environmental Compliance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years of hands-on experience in drainage, stormwater, utility maintenance, or civil construction; municipal experience strongly preferred.

Preferred:

3+ years performing CCTV inspections, operating vacuum trucks and pump station maintenance; experience with confined-space entry and traffic control.
Certifications such as OSHA 10/30, Confined Space Entry, HAZWOPER (if handling contaminated materials), DOT traffic control flagger certificate, and relevant equipment operation licenses are highly desirable.