Job Description
Internal Closing Date:
Jul 11, 2026
External Closing Date:
Jul 18, 2026
Note: Posting comes off at 12:00AM on the closing date, with the competition closing at 11:59pm the day prior.
Hourly Rate:
46.09
Minimum Weekly Hours:
40
Temporary. Subject to return of the incumbent.
Reporting to the Manager, Utilities this position performs skilled pipefitting, pipe laying and a broad scope of maintenance and troubleshooting activities relating to the construction and repair of water, sanitary, and storm infrastructure within the City of Vernon and any contractual obligations or arrangements.
This position also involves drainage control, operating valves, overhauling and flushing hydrants, repairing manholes and disinfection of water mains.
Duties Include
- Performs skilled pipe laying tasks relating to the maintenance, new construction and repair of water, sanitary and storm mains and lateral services and related structures.
- Responsible to ensure infrastructure installed is to manufacture’s specifications and City of Vernon construction specifications.
- Accurately reads and interprets blue-prints, sketched plans, construction drawings, survey details and digital maps.
- Obtains third party utility locates, coordinates excavation, manually and physically locates utilities on-site and determines if field utility conflicts exist and provides solutions.
- Performs daily site specific activities which include but are not limited to drainage control, coordination of excavation and site rehabilitation, laying pipe and apparatuses (various sizes and materials) to grade, setting anchor blocks, installing apparatuses such as hydrants, tees, bends, crosses, valves and services.
- Directs the operator, servicemen and labourers throughout the project including exposure of existing utilities, excavation and preparation of subgrade, construction, backfilling, final grade and landscaping activities through to completion.
- Performs pressure tests, chlorinates and flushes new sections of water mains in accordance with established procedures.
- Secures construction sites with traffic detours or flagging personnel to ensure site is safe for the workers to complete the work.
- Ensures excavations are properly sloped, shored, or a certificate from a qualified engineer has been obtained prior to entering a trench.
- Ensures established procedures are followed prior to entering confined spaces.
- Performs ‘return to service’ activities which involve flushing water mains after an outage has occurred. This may include operating valves, flushing mains and hydrants, disinfection and pressure testing of water mains prior to returning service to clients.
- Uses a variety of small equipment such as jack hammer, chain saw, air compressor, compactor, tamping machine, portable pump, pipe cutter, tapping machine, air exhauster, tapes and rods, generator and vibrating roller as required.
- Maintains and stocks required tools, materials, and equipment in service trucks.
- Provides as-built records with relevant utility information such as type of pipe, depth and location using service cards, sketches, as-built construction plans and any related documents involved with the project and forwards to appropriate personnel for inclusion into the City’s GIS mapping database.
- On occasion may be required to provide relief duties in the absence of the Supervisor.
- Assists in training and development of Servicemen and Labourers.
- Operates fleet vehicles and equipment in compliance with provincial regulations and municipal bylaws. This involves daily vehicle and equipment checks documented and forwarded to Fleet Operations for any malfunctions or required repairs.
- Call-out and shift work will be required. Responds to after hour calls and takes corrective action as required.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- All persons employed by the City of Vernon will be required to assist the City in providing emergency services. Duties assigned during an emergency may differ from regular duties.
Required Education and Experience
- EOCP Certification at the following levels:
Water Distribution Level II and Wastewater Collection Level I, OR
Water Distribution Level I and Wastewater Collection Level II
- Minimum 4 years recent experience in deep utility construction that includes pipe laying/pipefitting of water, sanitary and storm infrastructure in a municipal environment.
- Valid BC Driver’s License, Class 5.
- WHMIS Training.
- First Aid Level 1.
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods.
- Confined Space Training.
- A combination of related education and experience may be considered.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Current member in good standing with regard to EOCP and CEU’s requirements.
- Excellent communication skills (oral and written) combined with the ability to exercise diplomacy, courtesy, tact and be respectful when dealing with employees, contractors and members of the general public.
- Extensive knowledge of WorkSafe regulations and City of Vernon safety procedures and policies concerning entering excavations, restricted areas and confined spaces, lock-out procedures, working alone, handling of chemicals and hazardous goods, chlorination alarms, disinfection alarms, working in traffic and other safety issues as required.
- Ability to provide supervision and direction to staff in the absence of the Supervisor.
- Considerable knowledge of materials, small and large tools and equipment, procedures used in the installation and repair of water, sanitary and storm mains and services, fire hydrants, service connections, building of catch basins, manholes, and lift and pump stations.
- Knowledge in the safe operation of a variety of portable equipment including tamping machines, jack hammers, portable air compressors, portable pumps, tapping machines, threading machines, pipe cutters, and thaw machines.
- Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
- Ability to meet the physical demands of the job working in all weather conditions.
- Moderate skill in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, and other related computer software programs as required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain an acceptable criminal record check.
Preferred Education and Experience
- EOCP Certification at the following levels:
Water Distribution Level II and Wastewater Collection Level II
- 5 or more years recent experience in deep utility construction that includes pipe laying/pipefitting of water, sanitary and storm infrastructure in a municipal environment.
- Valid BC Driver’s License, Class 3 with Air Endorsement.
To Apply:
Please submit your resume, quoting the appropriate competition online at vernon.ca/careers by selecting “apply” and creating a candidate profile.
By making application, you are authorizing the City of Vernon to verify, through whatever means deemed appropriate, any information included in your applicant profile.
The City of Vernon wishes to thank all applicants; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that we are unable to accept phone calls regarding application status.
