Trainee Meter Reader Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Important Notice: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Are you interested in a career, not just a job, where you can help construct and maintain Arlington County's vital public infrastructure while earning a competitive salary with great benefits?
The Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking Water/Sewer/Streets (WSS) Service Technicians for the Water, Sewer & Streets (WSS) Bureau to join one of our crews specializing in: water maintenance, water distribution, sewer construction, sewer maintenance, sewer video inspection, street construction, street maintenance, and/or asphalt/concrete maintenance. Crew members work in all types of weather conditions, performing tasks related to the maintenance, replacement, repair, inspection and new installation of various water, sewer, and streets infrastructure. We are interested in motivated, dedicated, and skilled WSS Service Technicians who enjoy working in a team environment committed to providing excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
Responsibilities
Major Job Duties:
Water Maintenance

• Water main, hydrant, and valve repair and maintenance; and
• Service installations and restorations for utility patch repair (Asphalt/Concrete/Seed-Straw).

Water Distribution/Meter Maintenance

• General water system maintenance;
• Inspection, installation, removal, and replacement of residential and commercial water meters, including meter reading; and
• Valve and fire hydrant inspection.

Sewer Construction/Maintenance

• Maintenance and replacement of pipes, catch basins, manholes, culverts, channels and other storm and sanitary sewer structures;
• Asphalt and concrete work; and
• Sewer flushing, jetting, baiting and retrievals, including inspections/cleanings.

Sewer Video Inspection

• Inspection of storm and sanitary sewer mains and structures using CCTV trucks, pole cameras, etc.; and
• Set up and operation of acoustic sewer inspection systems.

Street Construction/Maintenance; Asphalt/Concrete Maintenance

• Construction, installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of sidewalks, curbs and gutters, concrete pads, and bike share stations; and
• Asphalt and concrete work including utility patches and potholes.

Technicians in all sections are required to:

• Use a computer, related software, or work order system to enter data for work orders, completion of work, and customer complaint documentation;
• Perform daily written and verbal team/customer interaction including responding to onsite resident inquiries;
• Use hand and power tools to complete work;
• Operate commercial and non-commercial vehicles, based on assignment; and
• Respond to emergencies including call-back and mandatory overtime as needed (i.e., snow removal operations, water main breaks, other emergencies).

Qualifications
Please complete this application one time to be considered for any openings throughout the recruitment window of July 10, 2026 - October 8, 2026. Qualified candidates will be placed on an eligible list that will be used to fill current and future vacancies in the Water, Sewer & Streets Bureau.
Minimum Qualifications:
WSS Service Technician Trainee:

• High School Diploma/equivalent;
• Ability to learn how to operate non-commercial vehicles, use hand and power tools and read maps; and
• Must be able to obtain a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Basic Work Zone Certification within one (1) year of hire date.

WSS Service Technician:

• High School Diploma/equivalent;
• One (1) year of experience in public works, construction or another trade vocation that demonstrates the ability to perform semi-skilled manual maintenance and/or construction; and
• Ability to use hand and power tools to complete work, read maps, and operate commercial (CDL required) and non-commercial vehicles based on assignment.

WSS Senior Service Technician:

• High School Diploma/equivalent;
• Two (2) years of experience in public works, construction or another trade vocation that demonstrates the ability to perform semi-skilled to skilled manual maintenance and/or construction; and
• Ability to use hand and power tools to complete work, read maps, and operate commercial (CDL required) and non-commercial vehicles based on assignment.

Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with one or more of the following depending on the area of assignment:

• Experience with construction, utility operations, or in one or more technical areas of water, sewer, or streets operations;
• Experience or training reading blueprints, plans, and system maps;
• Experience using a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS);
• Work zone safety certification to include flagging;
• Confined space and/or Excavation certification; and/or
• Possession of a valid class "B" or "A" Commercial Driver's License (CDL).

Special Requirements
Employees are required to respond to after-hour calls, emergency situations, and mandatory overtime on short notice and availability for on-call duty on a rotating basis may be required.
Type of License: WSS Service Technicians and Senior Service Technicians require possession of a Class "A" or "B" Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and some positions may not require a CDL. Other Technician positions may require a valid CDL or other job-related endorsements, certifications/licenses at time of application or within a specified timeframe normally not to exceed up to one year of hire date.
Drug Screening: The selected applicant must pass a pre-employment drug screening. Employees for positions requiring a CDL will be subject to random drug screening during employment, as required by federal, state, and local standards and policies.
Driver's License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver's license, and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon favorable review of the applicant's driving record. Alternatively, the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite.
Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
Professional License/Certifications: Based on assignment, employees must be able to obtain one or more of the following certifications/licenses within one year of hire date:

• Confined Space Entry and Excavation Certification*;
• Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Basic Work Zone Certification*; and/or
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL's typically required in Streets, Sewer, and Water Maintenance Sections).
  *May also have an equivalent certification from another jurisdiction with the ability to get a Virginia certification within one year of the date of hire.

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions. In accordance with § 19.2-392.15, applicants are not required to provide information regarding sealed arrests, charges, or convictions in response to any questions or inquiries during the hiring process.
Safety, Working Conditions, and Physical Requirements

• Employees are required to wear common protective gear or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and/or hard hats.
• Requires learning and following all safety rules and regulations pertaining to job functions.
• Attending all required safety classes and meetings to ensure a safe work environment and to ensure team members are practicing the required safety rules and regulations.
• Work is generally performed outdoors and in all types of weather conditions and often near moving traffic. Some work may be performed indoors depending upon the work assignment. The work environment includes exposure to draft, noise, dust, grease, and dirt with extended periods of standing, walking, crouching, stooping, bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying and/or working in confined spaces and lifting light-to-heavy objects and equipment.
• Physical requirements include exerting up to 75lbs of force occasionally and/or up to 50lbs of force frequently, and/or up to 20lbs of force constantly to move objects.

Additional Information
Not all areas served will have WSS Service Technician vacancies during this time. Interested applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in other sections. Applicants need apply only one time to be considered during the advertised timeframe. To request access to update your application, please contact pers@arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-3500.
Work hours: Specific work hours to be discussed during the interview process with the supervisor to meet program and departmental needs. Typical hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, subject to change based on departmental need. Occasional overtime hours required. Other vacancies may require an alternate work schedule. All employees must be available for call back in emergency situations and for snow removal operations. Positions may require holidays, nights, and/or weekend shifts.
These positions are part of a multi-grade pay band. The salary range listed at the top of this job announcement encompasses entry level for WSS Service Technician Trainee to the maximum level for WSS Senior Service Technician. Following the guidelines for this pay band, employees may earn increases and are eligible to progress through the band after acquiring additional skills, training, and/or certifications or licenses.
Successful candidates will be placed in areas of need based on experience, aptitude, and interest as demonstrated in the application and interview process.
Salary ranges for each level:
WSS Service Technician Trainee: $48,152.00 - $73,444.80/annually.
WSS Service Technician: $53,726.40 - $82,014.40/annually.
WSS Senior Service Technician: $59,092.80 - $90,272.00/annually.
This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.
For more information on Arlington County's generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.
Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.
This position is listed as "open continuous." Interested applicants are advised to submit their application as soon as possible. If your application is received later in the recruitment process, it may not be reviewed or considered. The application process will close when the position(s) have been filled or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
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