sewerage-maintenance-technician/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — sewerage maintenance technician

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 47-4071.00 (Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners).

Task statements

• [Core] Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.
• [Core] Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.
• [Core] Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.
• [Core] Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
• [Core] Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.
• [Core] Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.
• [Core] Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
• [Core] Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.
• [Core] Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.
• [Core] Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels.
• [Supplemental] Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.
• [Supplemental] Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.
• [Supplemental] Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.
• [Supplemental] Start machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings, stopping machines and changing knives to conform to pipe sizes.
• [Supplemental] Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves.
• [Supplemental] Break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels.
• [Supplemental] Cover repaired pipes with dirt, and pack backfilled excavations, using air and gasoline tampers.
• [Supplemental] Requisition or order tools and equipment.
• [Supplemental] Rotate cleaning rods manually, using turning pins.
• [Supplemental] Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages.
• [Supplemental] Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles.
• [Supplemental] Update sewer maps and manhole charts.

Detailed work activities

• Break up rock, asphalt, or concrete.
• Clean equipment or facilities.
• Communicate with other construction or extraction personnel to discuss project details.
• Compact materials to create level bases.
• Cut metal components for installation.
• Decontaminate equipment or sites to remove hazardous or toxic substances.
• Dig holes or trenches.
• Drill holes in construction materials.
• Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment.
• Edit documents.
• Inspect completed work to ensure proper installation.
• Inspect plumbing systems or fixtures.
• Install equipment attachments or components.
• Locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement.
• Maintain construction tools or equipment.
• Maintain mechanical equipment.
• Maintain plumbing structures or fixtures.
• Measure work site dimensions.
• Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.
• Order construction or extraction materials or equipment.
• Record operational or environmental data.
• Remove worn, damaged or outdated materials from work areas.
• Spread sand, dirt or other loose materials onto surfaces.