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Distribution Technician (Levels 1, 2, or 3)

Distribution Technician (Levels 1, 2, or 3)

Posted January 2024

The Kennebec Water District is seeking qualified candidates to fill a Distribution Technician vacancy in our Distribution Department.  This skilled position is part of a team with responsibilities for construction, operations, and maintenance on over 170 miles of buried water lines and accessory fittings and components.

The Distribution Technician position offers:

  • Year-round outside construction and maintenance activities
  • Steady work hours
  • Stable employment (no seasonal layoffs and not subject to booms and busts of the economy)
  • Regular work location – no travel for routine work duties
  • Exceptional safety standards
  • Various construction methods, equipment, and tools
  • Modern and well-maintained equipment and vehicles
  • Ongoing training and professional development
  • Satisfaction in making a positive difference in the communities we serve – safe drinking water is essential to life and health
  • Competitive wages and benefits
  • Paid leave
    • Vacation – up to 10 vacation days available in your first year
    • Holidays – 13 paid holidays per year
    • Paid sick and parental leave
  • Employer contribution toward the Maine Public Employee Retirement System

This position requires you to work an on-call rotation and be available for emergency call-ins.

Hourly Pay Rate:  $19 -$32 per hour depending upon education, years of experience, and commercial driver’s license class.  Additional per hour increases are available for candidates with a State of Maine water distribution license.

The successful candidate must be able to display an exceptional work ethic, strong mechanical skills set and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Distribution Technicians perform varied duties associated with Kennebec Water District construction projects and maintenance of system assets. Workload can vary from light to heavy in physical demands and in varying weather conditions.

Distribution Technicians are required to obtain a commercial driver’s license within a negotiated period.

An employment application can be found at:  www.kennebecwater.org

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

General Summary

Distribution Technician level designations are dependent on a combination of qualifications, experience, longevity, performance, and other factors. Distribution Technician 1 is the entry-level and Distribution Technician 3 is the highest-level position. Distribution Technicians must reside within an acceptable travel distance to distribution headquarters and share after-hours on-call responsibilities. This position operates under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. 

General Essential Job Functions

  • All necessary construction and excavation tasks related to the distribution system
  • All necessary asset maintenance tasks and programs related to the distribution system
  • Water main, service, valve, hydrant installations and repairs
  • Operation of various gas, diesel, electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic construction vehicles, and tools
  • Utility locating and dig-safe procedures for infrastructure including mains, services, valves, and hydrants
  • Meter and MXU installations and related tasks including monetary collections
  • Hydrant flushing tasks
  • Respond to service calls including communicating KWD policies to customers and investigating service issues
  • Follow up checks on faulty readings
  • Leak detection investigation
  • Repairs to service boxes
  • Location of services and mains
  • Grounds and building maintenance as assigned
  • Use of electronic equipment including GPS, smartphones, and tablets.
  • Adherence to OSHA, Department of Labor, and KWD safety regulations
  • Complete and accurate record keeping
  • Proper care and maintenance of equipment
  • Promotes positive public relations through interactions with the public, customers, public officials, regulators, and others
  • Included in after-hours on-call rotation
  • Expectation to work overtime emergencies

Skills/Experience/Training Required

  • Minimum education: high school diploma or equivalent
  • Valid Maine driver’s license
  • Ability to obtain a commercial driver’s license a negotiated period
  • Ability to handle strenuous physical tasks, including lifting over 50 pounds
  • Ability to comprehend and complete reports or forms as necessary
  • Ability to work as a team with supervisors and fellow employees and to interact properly with customers and the public
  • Ability to understand and implement safety procedures, including excavation “competent person” procedures
  •  State of Maine Water Operator Distribution license recommended
  • Ability to understand and implement technical procedures required for disinfection, pressure testing, leak detection, basic chemical testing, etc.
  • Ability to understand and follow oral and written direction

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

  • Significant physical labor including lifting, shoveling, varied tool use, driving, and repetitive arm/shoulder motions.
  • Some potentially hazardous environments (personal protective equipment use required).
  • Operation of vehicular and handheld construction equipment that may have associated high noise and/or vibration levels. 
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak or listen, stand, and walk (most of the time), bend, stoop, crouch, twist, climb, and reach overhead and forward with hands and arms. Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds on a regular basis and work at heights.  Required to employ safety-related personal protective equipment.  Hand and finger dexterity, motor control and eye/hand coordination is needed. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Work is primarily performed outside work in varied weather conditions. Some inside building work is also required.  Some exposure to high noise and vibration levels, and potential exposure to chemical and physical hazards.  May be assigned to work a variety of shifts depending on work needs and must be available on call as scheduled.