Gas Maintenance Worker

The City's Gas Maintenance Worker performs skilled and semi-skilled work in the construction, maintenance, and repair of gas utility lines and related infrastructure using specialized tools and equipment to install, replace, and repair gas utility components. Operates specialized tools and equipment under the general supervision of a Maintenance Crew Supervisor II.

The preferred hiring amount is between $22.32 to $27.44 an hour ($46,425.60 - $57,075.20 annually), in accordance with the Labor & Trades Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Choice of retirement plan: 
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the “Benefits” tab within this posting or visit the City’s Employee Benefits webpage.Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment. This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description.  The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Performs skilled pipefitting and pipe fusion duties for the installation, maintenance, and repair of gas utility lines, meters, regulators, and related components; assists with pipe welding when needed.
• Responds to and investigates gas leaks, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
• Digs trenches manually or using excavation equipment.
• Operates a variety of construction and specialized equipment including front-end loaders, dump trucks, utility trucks, ditch witches, piercing tool, jackhammers, tampers and related equipment.
• Loads, stocks, and unloads materials, supplies, tools, and equipment.
• Ensures all work is performed in compliance with safety regulations, including OSHA and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) guidelines.
• Performs routine maintenance on tools and equipment.
• Performs a variety of routine maintenance tasks such as grass mowing of regulator stations, clearing ROW’s, and painting of above ground gas piping.
• Uses appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), adheres to workplace safety standards, and attends appropriate safety trainings.
• Operates a City-owned vehicle in performance of job duties.
• Subject to being on standby call to work in weather and non-weather emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time. 
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• When necessary, assists with snow removal operations. 
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• High School Diploma or GED AND one (1) year of experience in skilled maintenance, repair, or construction work including some experience in the operation of related equipment.

• Three (3) years of experience in skilled maintenance, repair, or construction work including some experience in the operation of related equipment.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Subject to emergency and stand-by call and must respond within a 40-minute response time to the City facility.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Driver’s license and acceptable driving record in accordance with City criteria. 
• Must obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Tanker endorsement within 6 months of employment.
• Must complete and maintain Operator Qualification (OQ) testing as required by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration within one (1) year of employment. 
• Must maintain all certifications required by applicable federal, state and local regulations
• Position subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check, pre-employment drug screen (Virginia Department of Transportation), pre-employment physical, and a pre-employment DMV driving record review.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:
Job Knowledge

• Working knowledge of maintenance, repair, and construction tasks related to gas utility systems, including pipefitting, fusion, welding, and the installation of gas utility lines, meters, regulators, and related fixtures.
• Working knowledge of Virginia damage prevention laws and VA811 color coding, ensuring safe excavation practices and preventing damage to underground utilities.
• Working knowledge of safety regulations, including the Virginia Work Area Protection Manual, with the ability to select appropriate traffic control measures (e.g., lane closures, pedestrian barricades) to ensure a safe work environment.
• Working knowledge of the maintenance and care of tools and equipment, ensuring operational safety and efficiency.
• General knowledge of pipefitting and fusion processes for natural gas lines, including selecting and using proper equipment for installation and repair tasks.
• General knowledge of hand tools and power tools commonly used in gas utility work, as well as construction equipment such as ditch witches, front-end loaders, boring machines, jackhammers, and tampers.

Reading

• Basic: understands the meaning of commonly used multi-syllable words and simple paragraphs.  Comprehends simple written instructions, electrical, hydraulic, and/or electronic drawings, including signs and notices.

Writing

• Basic: Ability to write simple letters, paragraphs and sentences containing subject, verb, and object, and/or series of numbers, names, and addresses.  

Math

• Basic: Ability to perform the four basic arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).

Communication Skills

• Routine:  Regular & routine interaction involving providing or exchanging basic information. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires Immediate Direction: Normally performs the duty assignment after receiving detailed instructions as to methods, procedures, and desired end results with little room for deviation. The immediate supervisor may, at times, provide close and constant review.

Technical Skills

• Basic: Uses standard technical skills appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. May need entry level skill in Word, Excel and/or departmental software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others. May occasionally provide instruction to helpers, temps, or seasonal employees.

Other Characteristics

• Time pressures.
• Emergency response.
• Works closely with others as part of a team.
• May require additional hours outside normal schedule.
• Demonstrates patience and professionalism when assisting frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Demands:

• Very Heavy: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 25 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Work requires extensive physical activities which include balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing (ascending/descending steps and ladders) reaching, standing, walking, pushing/pulling, heavy lifting, gross and fine motor skills. 
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.  Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires operation of construction and specialized equipment including front-end loader, dump truck, utility truck, ditch witch, boring machines, jackhammers, tamper and related equipment; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.
• The employee is expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is typically performed outdoors, in or around a vehicle or construction equipment, with exposure to extreme temperatures, hazardous materials, gases/gas leaks, bloodborne pathogens, roadway safety hazards, loud noise, and various atmospheric and environmental conditions, including hazardous physical conditions.
• The position works:
  • Near moving mechanical parts and electrical currents;
  • In and around fumes, odors, gases, and/or airborne particles;
  • In and around toxic chemicals;
  • In areas with vibration;
  • In and around traffic/roadways;
  • In confined spaces;
  • In extreme temperatures;
  • With acidic or harsh substances;
  • With allergens and fuels.