The City of Port Colborne, located on the south coast of the scenic Niagara region, Niagara’s Port of Call has found the perfect balance – successful industrial and commercial sectors, comfortable and scenic residential areas, white sand beaches, unique culinary choices, the world class Sugarloaf Marina, fishing, golfing, trails, shopping districts along the historic Welland Canal and an energized festival and entertainment scene that includes live theatre – truly a community that adds to the overall Niagara Experience. A great place to work and raise a family!

The Utilities Technician is responsible for accurately locating all underground piping associated with the City’s water distribution, sanitary and storm sewer collection systems, for providing operational and maintenance services for all municipal water meters (up to and including 25 mm (1 inch)) and for completing monthly meter reading activities. They may be called upon from time to time to locate all City owned utilities i.e. private hydro, communications, gas on City property.

Using a locate software program, the Utilities Technician is required to prepare accurate reports and sketches in a timely manner to ensure that all locates are completed as per the requirements of the Ontario One Call system. The Technician is also required to respond to and complete emergency locate requests (during regular hours and afterhours) within the time prescribed by Ontario One Call.

At the end of each month, using a drive-by data collector and laptop, the Utilities Technician completes meter reading and follow-up activities. Using their excellent customer service skills, the Technician is required to enter properties when completing water meter repair work orders and when responding to high water bill complaints from consumers.

The position may provide operational support to other infrastructure services (i.e. snowplowing relief) and performs other duties as assigned. The duties of this position are backed up by other staff in the Water/Wastewater Division on an as-needed basis to ensure all compliance and/or internal deadlines are met..

The ideal candidate will have: 

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent.
  • Damage Prevention Technician (DPT) certification in Water and Sewer, at a minimum, or possessing the necessary experience to be able to obtain within 6 months of hire.
  • Ability to obtain a valid DZ license within 6 months of hire.
  • Water Meter Installer Certificate, or the ability to obtain within 1 year of hire.
  • Completed a mandatory Cross Connection Control course or will within 1 year of hire.
  • Valid, current Confined Space Entry training, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
  • A valid Basic First Aid/CPR certificate.
  • Minimum 3 years utility locating experience, preferably water and sewer in a municipal setting.
  • Technical knowledge of safe work practices.
  • The ability to communicate effectively and demonstrate teamwork and cooperation.

This is a full-time unionized position based on 40 hours per week with a rate of $28.69 per hour and includes a competitive benefit and pension package. 

For full details, please see the job description here

To confidentially explore this exciting and challenging opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter quoting Competition #2024-31 by 4:00pm on May 31, 2024. 

City of Port Colborne
66 Charlotte Street, Port Colborne, Ontario L3K 3C8
Or by e-mail to: hr@portcolborne.ca
Fax: 905-835-2969

We thank all those who apply, but advise that only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. 

The City of Port Colborne is an equal opportunity employer.  Accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. If contacted for an interview, please advise the Human Resources staff of any measures you feel you need to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 (S.O. 2001, c.25) and will be used to select a candidate.