Description
Clean, unclog, and maintain sewer pipes and drains. Operate jetting, rodding, and vacuum equipment to remove blockages, locate defects, and perform minor repairs to restore flow and system integrity.
- • Drive jet/vac trucks and service vehicles to job sites.
- • Communicate with supervisors and crews via radio or mobile devices.
- • Document cleaning, inspection, maintenance, and repairs.
- • Operate power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vacuum units.
- • Verify repaired joints and fittings are watertight before backfilling.
- • Withdraw and inspect cables for roots, grease, or debris indicating damage or clogs.
- • Install and size rotary knives and cutting heads for pipe diameters.
- • Measure and mark excavation areas using snakes, tapelines, or cutting head lengths.
- • Locate blockages and breaks with CCTV cameras, locators, or other specialized tools; mark dig points.
- • Clean and maintain sewer lines, manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
- • Start and control machines feeding revolving cables or rods; change tools to match pipe size.
- • Service and make minor repairs to cleaning equipment and attachments.
- • Inspect manholes to identify and pinpoint stoppages.
- • Cut out damaged pipe sections and replace with sleeves or couplings.
- • Excavate by hand to expose sewer lines when required.
- • Break pavement to access buried pipes using air hammers, picks, or shovels.
- • Backfill and compact excavations after repairs using tampers.
- • Request or order tools, parts, and supplies.
- • Rotate cleaning rods manually with turning pins when needed.
- • Clean and disinfect areas flooded by sewer backups.
- • Update sewer maps, manhole logs, and maintenance records.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
