Job Description

Overview

The Utility Mechanic position at American Water involves performing various responsibilities related to the operation and maintenance of water distribution systems. The role requires knowledge of hydraulic systems and customer service skills, with opportunities for professional growth and a comprehensive benefits package.

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate and control the safe and efficient utilization of Company and valve operating equipment.
  • Locate, access, operate, and repair Company facilities such as mains, hydrants, and plumbing fixtures.
  • Investigate and diagnose hydraulic variations affecting system operations and customer service.
  • Perform distribution system tests, including fire flows and pressure losses.
  • Complete house-to-house connections to maintain service.
  • Mark-out company facilities and initiate requests to mark-out other utilities' facilities.
  • Raise to grade Company facilities such as meter hoods and curb boxes.
  • Operate and repair Company facilities including fire hydrants and distribution system valves.
  • Complete the installation of facilities including water services and main extensions.
  • Collect and evaluate water samples in accordance with water quality practices.
  • Transport materials to and from facilities or job sites.
  • Prepare Company facilities for adverse weather conditions.
  • Restore service to frozen Company facilities as required.
  • Record pertinent data and maintain accurate records.
  • Report conditions in the field that may impact customer service or public safety.
  • Respond to inquiries accurately and professionally.

Requirements

  • Geographical knowledge of the Company’s service area and distribution system.
  • Understanding of gradients, piping networks, basic fluid and flow principles, and basic electrical theory.
  • Ability to interpret diagrams, blueprints, schematics, and maps.
  • Working knowledge of Company policies, safety practices, and state and federal regulations.
  • Ability to safely make necessary taps, restraints, and repairs in the transmission and distribution system.
  • Capable of operating Company equipment and vehicles.
  • Minimum of one to two years of experience as Utility Mechanic I.
  • High School Diploma or G.E.D.
  • Must obtain a valid motor vehicle commercial driver’s license, Class A within one year.
  • Complete Competent Person training to receive certification.
  • Mechanically inclined and customer service focused.

Benefits

  • 401k
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • PTO

Additional Information

  • Daily local travel.
  • Work indoors and outdoors in all adverse weather conditions.
  • Required to stand/walk for long distances daily.

Benefits

401k
Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
PTO

How this job compares in Plainfield, NJ

Pay in context

At roughly $29/hr, this posting comes in about 13% below the $34/hr median for welding jobs across New Jersey, where the middle half runs $29–$40/hr across 106 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 25% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. That gap is worth raising directly — in a market this size there is normally room to negotiate toward the median, particularly if you already hold the certifications the posting asks for.

The local market in Plainfield, NJ

Plainfield, NJ is a small market in our index: 1 other active welding opening alongside this one, from 1 employer. Across New Jersey as a whole we're tracking 166 other active welding openings from 123 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across New Jersey.

American Water currently has 1 other opening live in New Jersey, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in New Jersey at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Darling Ingredients (5), Carvana (4), and Lockheed Martin (4). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within New Jersey, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Newark at $35/hr and Lyndhurst at $30/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Plainfield, NJ

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Utility Mechanic figures were last recalculated when this page was built.