Ditch Hand Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Stormwater Technician

Job Description

The Stormwater Technician operates commercial vehicles and heavy equipment to perform routine maintenance, repairs, and inspections on storm water, sanitary, and combined sewer infrastructure. This role focuses on safe and proper operation of equipment such as Vactor trucks, dump trucks, and excavating machinery to support drainage, utility construction, and field service activities. The position offers significant opportunities for growth, including progression into supervisory responsibilities and the chance to work closely with large, cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Operate Vactor trucks to perform basin cleaning of sewers and manholes, ensuring efficient removal of debris and proper system function.
• Drive and operate dump trucks and other heavy equipment at a beginner level, including backhoes, gradalls, bobcats, front-end loaders, skid steers, track hoes, ditch masters, excavators, and related machinery.
• Perform routine maintenance, repair, and inspections of piping systems within storm water, sanitary, and combined sewer infrastructure.
• Assemble tools, materials, and equipment for daily work assignments and transport personnel to and from work sites safely and efficiently.
• Secure work sites by setting up appropriate barriers and safety measures, and act as a spotter for drivers and equipment operators to prevent accidents.
• Locate underground utilities and perform basic pipefitting tasks to support construction, maintenance, and repair projects.
• Use a variety of hand tools and equipment, including chainsaws, weed eaters, zero-turn mowers, and apply pesticides as needed for vegetation control.
• Haul materials to landfills or designated disposal sites using appropriate vehicles and equipment.
• Set up work sites for traffic control, serve as a flagger, and ensure compliance with traffic safety standards.
• Use manual, pneumatic, gas, and electric hand tools to support construction, maintenance, and repair activities.
• Enter and work in confined spaces as required, following all safety protocols and procedures.
• Operate construction vehicles, vacuums, pressure sprayers, paving equipment, hand grinders, woodshop tools, and other specialized equipment safely and correctly.
• Operate a variety of vehicles and machines such as light and heavy dump trucks, tandem trucks, bucket trucks, boom trucks, compressor dump trucks, heavy rollers, pay loaders, backhoes, and tractors with batwings.
• Operate all equipment and tools associated with the Equipment Operator classification, ensuring proper use, care, and basic troubleshooting.
• Participate in cross-training within the collections system realm to support multiple functional areas and enhance operational flexibility.

Essential Skills

• Experience with stormwater drainage systems, utility construction, troubleshooting, maintenance, construction, field service, and stormwater operations.
• Ability to use and operate various equipment safely and correctly, including construction vehicles, vacuums, pressure sprayers, paving equipment, hand grinders, chain saws, and woodshop tools.
• Proficiency in operating vehicles and machines such as light and heavy dump trucks, tandem trucks, bucket trucks, boom trucks, compressor dump trucks, heavy rollers, pay loaders, backhoes, and tractors with batwings.
• Capability to operate heavy equipment including backhoes, gradalls, bobcats, front-end loaders, skid steers, track hoes, ditch masters, excavators, and Vactor trucks at a beginner level.
• Skill in using manual, pneumatic, gas, and electric hand tools for construction and maintenance tasks.
• Ability to perform routine maintenance, repairs, and inspections of piping systems.
• Competence in locating underground utilities and performing basic pipefitting tasks.
• Ability to work safely in confined spaces while adhering to strict safety protocols.
• Valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License.
• Valid Commonwealth of Virginia Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with proper endorsements in accordance with Department of Motor Vehicles regulations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Hazmat and Tanker endorsements on a Commercial Driver’s License, particularly when assigned to road maintenance duties.
• Experience with stormwater drainage, utility construction, and collections system operations.
• Familiarity with traffic control procedures and experience serving as a flagger.
• Experience working in environments with hazardous waste, household waste, traffic hazards, heavy equipment, and large structures.
• Interest in professional growth with the goal of progressing into a supervisor role.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a large team and in cross-functional assignments within the collections system realm.

Work Environment

Work occurs both indoors and outdoors under a wide range of environmental conditions. Assignments involve cross-training in multiple functional areas, particularly within the collections system realm, and require frequent interaction with heavy equipment, massive structures, and various materials. The role includes frequent exposure to hazardous waste, household waste, traffic hazards, noise, dust, and extreme weather conditions. Confined space entry is required on occasion, with strict adherence to established safety protocols. The position offers the opportunity to work with large teams, benefit from regular growth opportunities and yearly raises, and develop toward supervisory responsibilities while operating a broad range of construction vehicles, commercial trucks, and specialized equipment.

This is a Permanent position based out of Richmond, VA.

The pay range for this position is $48000.00 - $68000.00/yr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Richmond,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 13, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.