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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Utility Crew Engineer

💰 $60,000 - $95,000

UtilitiesMaintenanceField OperationsEngineering

🎯 Role Definition

The Utility Crew Engineer is a field-facing maintenance and operations professional responsible for inspecting, maintaining, repairing, and upgrading utility infrastructure (water, wastewater, gas, electric, and street utilities). This role coordinates daily crew activities, executes preventive and corrective maintenance, operates heavy equipment and hand tools, performs safety-critical confined space and trenching tasks, responds to emergency service calls, documents work in a CMMS, and interfaces with customers and regulatory inspectors. The Utility Crew Engineer combines hands-on technical skills (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation) with strong safety compliance, troubleshooting, and communication abilities to ensure continuous, safe utility service delivery.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Utility Crew Member / Utility Technician Apprentice
  • Maintenance Technician or Facilities Mechanic
  • Construction Laborer with utility or pipeline experience

Advancement To:

  • Senior Utility Engineer / Crew Leader
  • Field Supervisor / Maintenance Supervisor
  • Distribution Operations Specialist (Water/Electric/Gas)
  • Asset Management or Reliability Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • SCADA/Control Systems Technician
  • Metering & Instrumentation Technician
  • Pipeline Inspector / Leak Survey Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Plan, lead, and execute daily crew assignments to inspect, repair, and maintain utility distribution systems including water mains, sewer lines, gas mains, manholes, valves, hydrants, pumps, and electrical transformers, ensuring compliance with municipal and regulatory standards.
  • Diagnose mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical failures at pump stations, lift stations, booster stations, and distribution assets; perform troubleshooting, calibrations, and component replacement to restore service and prevent future failures.
  • Perform scheduled preventive maintenance using CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System): create work orders, complete inspections, record asset conditions, update maintenance logs, and recommend capital repairs based on findings.
  • Operate excavation and backfill activities for pipe installation and repair, including trenching, shoring, dewatering, compaction, and restoration of asphalt/concrete surfaces in strict accordance with OSHA trenching and local traffic control standards.
  • Install, test, maintain, and repair valves, fittings, service connections, hydrants, backflow prevention devices, and appurtenances for water and wastewater systems; coordinate shut-downs and service restorations with minimal customer impact.
  • Conduct hot work and confined space entry activities safely: implement permit systems, atmospheric testing, continuous ventilation, attendant procedures, and rescue readiness per OSHA and company confined space protocols.
  • Perform gas distribution maintenance tasks: leak detection and repair, pressure testing, valve exercising, cathodic protection checks, and service line replacements following DOT/NFPA regulations and company procedure.
  • Execute electrical and instrumentation tasks: replace motors, starters, VFDs, sensors, level controls, float switches, and troubleshoot control panels and SCADA communications to maintain automated control of utilities.
  • Respond 24/7 to emergency service calls (breaks, overflows, outages, gas leaks), lead onsite incident control, perform emergency repairs or temporary bypasses, and communicate status to dispatch, supervisors, and affected customers.
  • Read and interpret engineering drawings, As-Builts, pipeline profiles, schematics, and utility maps to plan installations, locate assets, and avoid conflicts with other utilities during excavations.
  • Perform welding, cutting, brazing, and pipefitting for repair and fabrication tasks on steel, ductile iron, PVC, HDPE, and copper piping systems using approved welding procedures and PPE.
  • Conduct pressure and leakage tests, flow measurements, pump performance curves, and system balancing tasks; record data and produce reports for compliance and operational optimization.
  • Coordinate traffic control and public safety around work sites: set up barricades, signage, and temporary pedestrian/vehicle routing; obtain permits and notify affected residents and stakeholders.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate field instrumentation and telemetry devices; support SCADA engineers by validating remote readings, replacing RTUs, and testing telemetry links.
  • Enforce and promote a strong safety culture: lead toolbox talks, perform job hazard analyses (JHAs), adhere to LOTO (Lockout/Tagout) procedures, wear appropriate PPE, and document safety observations and near-misses.
  • Train, mentor, and coach junior crew members and apprentices on safe work practices, equipment operation, tool use, and standard work procedures to raise team competency and reduce incidents.
  • Mobilize and demobilize heavy equipment and specialty tools (vacuum excavators, combo units, backhoes, trenchers, compactors, forklifts) safely; perform pre- and post-operation inspections and basic maintenance.
  • Manage inventory of replacement parts, consumables, and field supplies; forecast needs, place procurement requests, and ensure vehicles and trucks are stocked and equipment is maintained for rapid response.
  • Interface directly with customers, businesses, and municipal officials during scheduled outages or emergency repairs; provide clear status updates, explain technical issues, and ensure positive public relations.
  • Execute environmental compliance tasks: handle stormwater controls, erosion prevention, contained chemical/hydrocarbon cleanup, and proper disposal of removed materials in accordance with environmental permits and regulations.
  • Participate in project work for system upgrades and capital improvements: assist contractors, perform quality inspections, install new infrastructure, and ensure construction meets operational standards and company specifications.
  • Maintain accurate daily reports, as-built records, GIS updates, and regulatory documentation following company standards to support audits, billing, and long-term asset management.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives: identify recurring failure modes, propose corrective actions, implement reliability-centered maintenance practices, and contribute to asset lifecycle planning.
  • Assist engineering and planning teams with field measurements, condition assessments, and feasibility studies for replacements, rehabilitation, and optimization projects.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data collection and field validation for GIS, CMMS, and asset management systems to improve data accuracy and decision making.
  • Provide field input to the organization's preventive maintenance strategy and lifecycle costing for distribution and treatment assets.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders (engineering, operations, environmental, and external contractors) to translate field conditions into repair plans and capital projects.
  • Participate in safety committees, continuous improvement teams, and monthly performance reviews to help shape operational standards and risk mitigation.
  • Support emergency preparedness planning, drills, and post-incident reviews to strengthen response procedures for natural disasters, large-scale outages, or hazardous material releases.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Utility system maintenance: water, wastewater, gas, and electrical distribution maintenance methods and best practices.
  • Mechanical skills: pipefitting, valve replacement, pump overhaul, bearing replacement, and centrifugal pump alignment.
  • Electrical & controls: motor control, starters, VFDs, PLC basics, RTU/SCADA troubleshooting, and low-voltage wiring.
  • Pneumatics & hydraulics troubleshooting and repair of actuators, hydraulic pumps, and control valves.
  • Heavy equipment operation: backhoe, excavator, skid steer, vacuum excavator, trencher — safe operation and daily inspections.
  • Welding and metal fabrication (SMAW/GMAW/TIG) for field repairs and pipe joins, plus brazing and cutting skills.
  • Pipe joining technologies: fusion welding for HDPE, solvent welding for PVC, gasketed joint installation, and mechanical couplings.
  • Confined space entry, atmospheric testing, and rescue procedures with certified training and permit experience.
  • Trench safety and shoring: installation and inspection of sloping, benching, trench boxes, and shoring systems.
  • CMMS and field reporting: work order creation, asset tagging, inspection checklists, and mobile data entry.
  • GIS basics and as-built documentation: updating maps, reading spatial data, and recording coordinates for assets.
  • Testing and instrumentation: pressure testing, leak detection (electronic and chemical), flow metering, and sensor calibration.
  • Regulatory compliance knowledge: OSHA, DOT, NFPA, EPA regulations, and local codes applicable to utility work.
  • Traffic control and public works permitting, including knowledge of MUTCD or local traffic control standards.

Soft Skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication to interact with supervisors, dispatch, contractors, inspectors, and customers.
  • Problem-solving mindset and analytical troubleshooting capability under time pressure and in emergency situations.
  • Team leadership and crew coordination skills: assign tasks, manage timelines, and mentor junior technicians.
  • Attention to detail for documentation, safety compliance, and quality assurance of repairs and installations.
  • Adaptability and resilience working in variable weather, hazardous conditions, and unpredictable call-out schedules.
  • Customer service orientation: courteous, transparent communication to maintain community trust during outages or repairs.
  • Time management and prioritization for balancing preventive maintenance, reactive repairs, and planned projects.
  • Collaborative attitude for multi-disciplinary projects involving engineering, environmental, and construction teams.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED; vocational training or technical certificate in mechanical, electrical, or construction trades preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree in Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or similar technical field; Journeyman or trade certification advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mechanical Technology
  • Electrical Technology
  • Industrial Maintenance
  • Construction Technology
  • Instrumentation & Control

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–6 years of field utility, maintenance, or construction experience (entry-level with apprenticeship up to experienced technician).

Preferred:

  • 4+ years operating and maintaining utility distribution or treatment systems (water/wastewater/gas/electric).
  • Proven experience with CMMS systems, SCADA support, confined space entries, and heavy equipment operation.
  • Certifications and licenses such as CDL (Class B or higher), OSHA 10/30, First Aid/CPR, Confined Space Entry, and specific welding or operator certifications are strongly preferred.
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