Utilities Water Maintenance Technician - Water Distribution

Job Posting

This listing closes on 10 / 20 / 2025 at 11 : 59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada).

Employer : Manatee County Government

Salary : $20.68 - $35.50 Hourly

Location : Bradenton, FL

Job Type : Full-Time (Hourly)

Job Number : 25-00673

Department : Utilities Department

Opening Date : 10 / 03 / 2025

Closing Date : 10 / 20 / 2025 at 11 : 59 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Work Location : 4520 66th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34210

Work Hours : Monday - Friday, 7 : 00am - 3 : 30pm (Standby on rotation required).

Expected Starting Hourly Range : $20.68 - $25.84

Additional incentive pay for working in the Water Distribution section :

Tech IA : $.50 / hour

Tech IB Tech II : $1.00 / hour

Tech III : $1.50 / hour

This classification performs a variety of entry level, semi-skilled, or skilled maintenance, construction, and / or mechanical tasks involved in the continuous operation of Manatee County's Water Distribution Systems.

Note : Position level and salary will be dependent on qualifications (DOQ).

Working Conditions : Indoor / outdoor situation; high noise environment while performing certain responsibilities. Lifting up to 80 lbs. alone; up to 100 lbs. with assistance.

Job Description

Essential Functions : These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

Duties range from performing trainee-level through skilled and lead duties related to the repair and maintenance activities in the Distribution Section of the County's Water Treatment facilities.

Performs and / or assists with skilled and semi-skilled tasks in maintaining, repairing and operating related equipment and facilities, wells, pump stations, etc.; high pressure water transmission mains (54" to 3 / 4" diameter) and local distribution lines, services, meters, fire hydrants and other appurtenances; performs construction layouts and establishes grades for all types of utility installations.

Performs and / or assists with operating and maintaining appropriate service equipment including Utility service trucks, backhoes, dump trucks, equipment trailers, loaders; metal cutting and welding equipment; hydraulic and pneumatic presses, tapping machines, valve operators and wrenches; trenching machines; boring machines; pipe cutters; dewatering systems; pumps; alignment tools; locating and leak detection devices and a wide variety of powered and unpowered hand tools.

Performs and / or assists in supervising installations, rebuilds, and repairs of water pipelines, vaults, valves, fire hydrants, meters, and backflow preventers; isolates water lines for repairs, inspection, or construction; forms and pours concrete; rebuilds and restores all types of roadways, curbs, and sidewalks; adjusts valve box rims and covers to grade; installs, rebuilds, and repairs wide array of pumps, electrical generators and other mechanical equipment in the County's Water system, water storage reservoirs, well fields, and pump stations; performs building and grounds maintenance as needed.

Performs and / or assists in organizing and preparing parts, equipment, and tools for the day's work; maintains daily work records and completes reports on work activities; ensures job site safety through traffic control and equipment location; is "competent person" on job site for purposes of confined space and excavation safety rule compliance in absence of maintenance supervisor; fills out work orders; responds to after-hours emergency repair calls.

May train new technicians in the proper use of required equipment and serve in a "lead" capacity when required.

Communicates clearly, effectively and tactfully, orally and in writing, including understanding and following instructions and other materials (i. e., manuals, schematics, maps, etc.)

Reads, interprets and follows pertinent blueprints, utility maps, as-builts, and record drawings.

Performs other related work (including weather or extreme emergency duties) as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education :

Tech IA III : High school graduate or equivalent certificate of competency or will obtain equivalent certificate of competency (GED) within one (1) year of hire. Participation in a rotating Stand-By / On-Call schedule required.

Required Work Experience :

Tech IA : No experience is required.

Tech IB : Minimum of one (1) year of experience in repair and maintenance or installation of mechanical equipment in a utility or closely related system.

Tech II : Minimum of three (3) years' experience in repair and maintenance or installation of mechanical equipment in a utility or closely related system; one (1) year back-hoe experience.

Tech III : Minimum of five (5) years' experience in repair and maintenance or installation of mechanical equipment in a utility or closely related system; three (3) years back-hoe experience.

Licenses / Classifications :

Tech IA : Must obtain "Confined Space Certification" within one (1) year of employment. Must obtain Level 3 Distribution System Operator License within eighteen (18) months of hire.

Tech IB : Level 3 Distribution Systems Operator License; Confined Space Entry, Bloodborne and Waterborne Pathogen Safety Course certification.

Tech II : Level 2 Distribution Systems Operator License; Confined Space Entry, Bloodborne and Waterborne Pathogen Safety Course, Basic Pump Maintenance, Basic Welding, Traffic Control Safety certification.

Tech III : Level 1 Distribution Systems Operator License; Confined Space Entry, Bloodborne and Waterborne Pathogen Safety Course, Basic Pump Maintenance, Basic Welding, Traffic Control Safety, Cross Connection Control, and Trenching and Shoring certification.

Driver's License : Must possess and maintain valid Florida Commercial Driver's License, Class A OR obtain CDL permit prior to employment. All levels require a valid Florida driver license prior to start date.

Prior work experience in plumbing, construction, or mechanical repairs desired. Experience with directional bore machine, highly desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Tech II and III : Ability to effectively oversee and train others.

Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, water treatment and pumping equipment, water distribution, reclaimed water distribution principles and practices of maintenance, repair or construction of same.

Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn safety and health precautions associated with confined space operations; underground trenches and excavations; heavy equipment operation; traffic control; mechanical and chemical equipment repair; electrical and internal combustion driven machinery; hazardous chemical and fluids handling.

Attention to detail and follow protocols correctly and accurately.

A problem solver you will identify issues, research, and implement solutions to ensure the water distribution system is operating properly.

Ability to read, write and speak English; ability to understand and follow oral or written directions communicated in English.

Ability to distinguish colors and sounds. Ability to lift and carry up to 80 pounds. Ability to climb and descend steps, ladders, etc.

Ability to kneel, bend, stoop, crawl, reach, push, pull and perform other physical requirements commensurate with demands of position.

Ability to perform physical strenuous work in varying and adverse weather conditions; uneven or rugged terrain; and safely operate equipment under variable conditions including rough, uneven, slippery terrain.

Skill in the operation and maintenance of tools and equipment assigned. Manual dexterity to operate hand and power tools.

Veterans Preference

In accordance with Florida Statute 295.07, F.S., Chapter 55A-7, priority consideration in employment will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of disabled veterans. Applicants claiming preference must provide a