Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Utility Crew Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Utility Crew Assistant supports field crews in the installation, repair, maintenance and emergency response of public and private utility systems (water distribution, sanitary sewer, storm drains, pipelines, hydrants and meters). This hands-on position performs manual and equipment-assisted tasks under direction of a Lead or Crew Supervisor, follows safety and confined-space procedures, communicates with the public during field operations, documents work performed, and assists licensed technicians on complex repairs. Ideal candidates are reliable, safety-first, physically fit, able to use basic construction tools, and committed to timely, high-quality execution of field maintenance and emergency work.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Seasonal or temporary laborer in public works or utilities
Grounds, landscape, or general construction laborer
Entry-level meter reader, hydrant technician, or stormwater maintenance worker

Advancement To:

Utility Crew Leader / Senior Utility Technician
Heavy Equipment Operator (backhoe, excavator)
Licensed Distribution Operator / Utility Operator (water/sewer)
Public Works Inspector or Maintenance Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Meter Service Technician
Traffic Control Technician / Flagging Specialist
Wastewater Collection Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform manual and semi-skilled tasks to assist utility crews with installation, maintenance, and repair of water mains, sewer lines, service laterals, storm drains, manholes and hydrants, ensuring work meets safety and municipal standards.
Operate and assist with light equipment and tools — including jackhammers, pneumatic tools, small excavators, trench boxes, compactors, and portable pumps — while following manufacturer and site-specific safety procedures.
Dig, trench, backfill and compact trenches for pipeline and service repairs using shovels, picks, saws and machinery, and ensure proper shoring and slope stability is maintained to protect crew safety.
Set up, maintain and remove traffic control devices and signage (cones, barriers, flagging stations) to safely route vehicles and pedestrians around work zones in accordance with MUTCD or local traffic control plans.
Assist with confined space entry tasks by preparing entry equipment, attending as an attendant, monitoring atmospheric conditions with gas detectors, and maintaining lockout/tagout procedures under qualified supervision.
Locate, expose and mark valves, service connections, and buried infrastructure using hand digging, valve keys and locating equipment, while protecting underground utilities by following one-call/811 requirements.
Perform hydrant inspection, maintenance and flushing activities, including lubrication, gasket replacement, operational checks, and documentation of flushing volumes and locations.
Install, remove, test and replace water meters and associated meter boxes, read mechanical and AMI meter registers, and perform basic meter troubleshooting and customer notification when required.
Assist with emergency response for water main breaks, sewer overflows, storm damage and pipeline outages — responding quickly, isolating systems, executing temporary repairs, and restoring service under supervisor direction.
Perform routine service and preventative maintenance on vehicles, power tools and jobsite equipment; maintain tool inventory, perform basic troubleshooting, and report complex repairs to fleet or lead technicians.
Handle materials such as ductile iron, PVC and HDPE pipe, fittings, valves, and bedding aggregates; load, unload and stage materials safely and efficiently at the jobsite.
Maintain accurate field records, work orders and daily logs using paper forms or mobile devices, capturing start/stop times, materials used, as-built notes and customer interactions for billing and compliance.
Assist licensed operators with pipe tapping, valve installation, saddle placements and other tasks that require coordinated team effort during new connections and rehabilitation projects.
Perform sewer cleaning and root removal operations using rodders, jetters and cutters as assigned, observe and report obstructions, and assist with CCTV readiness (cleaning and accessibility).
Support installation and maintenance of erosion and sediment control measures at sites — install silt fences, inlet protection, rock check dams and ensure compliance with stormwater pollution prevention plans.
Respond to and coordinate with dispatch and customer service for service calls, locate service lines at customer properties, and provide professional, courteous on-site communication and updates to residents.
Conduct basic water sampling, test pH and chlorine residuals (when trained), and assist laboratory or certified staff with chain-of-custody procedures and sample transport.
Maintain public right-of-ways, perform minor pavement cuts and restorations, and coordinate temporary asphalt or cold-patch repairs to restore safe pedestrian and vehicle access.
Participate in scheduled hydrant flushing, valve exercising programs and preventive maintenance initiatives aimed at improving system reliability and reducing emergency repairs.
Follow all site-specific and company safety programs, including PPE use, site hazard assessments, incident reporting, and attend required safety trainings and toolbox talks.
Support crew training by mentoring newer crew assistants on safe work practices, tool handling, traffic control setup, and procedural checklists to maintain consistent operational standards.
Provide nighttime or call-out coverage as required for emergency repairs, storm response, or scheduled outages, demonstrating flexibility and timely on-call responsiveness.

Secondary Functions

Maintain and organize hand tools, safety gear and consumable supplies in trucks and storage yards to ensure job readiness and reduce downtime.
Assist with spot repairs to sidewalks, curbing and landscaped areas impacted by utility work, coordinating with municipal inspectors for acceptance.
Help perform visual inspections of manholes, vaults and access points and report structural issues or safety hazards for prioritized follow-up.
Support cross-functional crews (electric, gas, telecommunications) on joint projects when trained and permitted, maintaining clear communication and coordinated schedules.
Participate in community outreach efforts during planned outages and capital projects by assisting with door-knocks, notices and in-field signage.
Complete basic GIS or asset tagging tasks in the field such as affixing barcodes, taking geo-referenced photos, and updating asset condition notes for the records team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Trenching and excavation techniques, including shoring, sloping and trench box setup; understanding of OSHA excavation standards and safe practices.
Traffic control setup and flagging techniques compliant with MUTCD or local standards for temporary work zones.
Confined space awareness, attendant procedures and basic rescue awareness (entry by a qualified attendant only); familiarity with gas detection monitors.
Operation and safe handling of pneumatic tools, jackhammers, compactors, portable pumps, wet/dry vacs and light excavating equipment.
Pipe handling and jointing for common materials (PVC, HDPE, ductile iron), plus experience with mechanical couplings, clamps and saddles.
Basic meter installation/removal, meter reading (manual and AMI/AMI-compatible systems), and understanding of service box adjustments.
Use of locating equipment (pipe/utility locators) and interpretation of utility maps, as-builts and markups.
Basic water quality sampling protocols, chlorine residual testing and chain-of-custody fundamentals (where applicable).
Familiarity with sewer cleaning equipment (rodding, jetting) and safe access/cleanout procedures.
Proficient with mobile devices or tablets for work-order entry, GPS photo capture and simple GIS/asset update workflows.
Equipment maintenance fundamentals: daily inspections, grease points, fluid checks and reporting of defects.
Basic restorative techniques for asphalt cold patching, gravel dressing and temporary pavement repairs.

Soft Skills

Strong commitment to safety with the ability to follow checklists, report hazards and participate in safety briefings.
Clear verbal communication and courteous customer interaction skills when explaining service work or coordinating with residents.
Dependability and punctuality — ability to respond to shift start times and emergency call-outs reliably.
Team-oriented mindset: follows direction, supports lead technicians and contributes to a positive crew environment.
Physical stamina and dexterity for repetitive lifting, kneeling, stooping and working in various weather conditions.
Problem observation and reporting: notices anomalies or potential system failures and documents details for the lead.
Time-management skills to complete assigned tasks within planned windows while maintaining quality and safety.
Adaptability to shifting priorities during emergency responses, planned outages, or multi-tasking across multiple job sites.
Basic record-keeping discipline for accurate work logs, timesheets and material usage reporting.
Conflict resolution and calm demeanor when dealing with frustrated customers or time-sensitive system outages.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred; completion of vocational or trade coursework a plus.

Preferred Education:

Technical certificate in Public Works Maintenance, Water Distribution, Construction Trades, or related field.
OSHA 10-Hour certification, basic traffic control/flagger certification, or confined space awareness training preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Construction Trades / Civil Construction
Water/Wastewater Technology
Public Works / Infrastructure Maintenance
Occupational Safety and Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–2 years for entry-level positions; 1–4 years for mid-level hires who have hands-on experience in utilities, public works or construction labor.

Preferred:

1–3 years of experience assisting in water distribution, sewer collection, or general utility maintenance.
Experience with trenching, traffic control, and basic equipment operation (jackhammer, compressor, saws).
Prior municipal or contractor field experience and demonstrated reliability on rotating shift or on-call schedules.