Water Systems Field Technician Public Sector Operations

Cape Town, South Africa Posted on 04/06/2025

Ontec has a diverse team made up of innovative and competent individuals. The company not only drives performance for employees to excel on a professional and personal level but rewards this performance. People here are satisfied, challenged and happy, which makes it a perfect working environment.

Responsible for performing a variety of skilled technical duties and semi-skilled labor in the operation, maintenance, repair, and construction of water systems & wastewater collection system, including water production and distribution system, metering, pressure regulators and customer service response.

• Provides lead direction, training and work review to staff; organizes and assigns work, sets priorities, follows-up to ensure completion of assigned work;
• Intermediate blueprint reading with ability to analyze project plans to determine construction requirements and assign duties;
• Operates water systems and performs maintenance tasks; cleans, maintains and repairs main line sewers, manholes and laterals; locates, repairs, and maintains water and sewer line breaks and/or leaks; repairs and installs various water and wastewater appurtenances;
• Performs utility line location marking - activates and terminates water meters and assists with customer service requests;
• Performs meter testing and fire hydrant flushing;
• Performs operational and safety checks of equipment before use;
• Excavates and back fills trenches using hand and power tools; repairs, installs, and maintains water lines, water meters and related facilities; cuts pipes, installs tapping valves, lays pipe and installs valves, meters and fire hydrants;
• Observes safe work methods and uses safety equipment; secures work sites from traffic hazards as necessary; attends safety meetings. Checks job sites for potential hazards including confined space;
• Responds as Shift Operator, dependent upon certifications achieved and duties assigned;
• Maintains and services a variety of test equipment and hand and power tools;
• Installs, adjusts and troubleshoots pressure regulating valves, meters and chemical pumps (if applicable);
• Responds to questions and complaints from the public; carries out assignments in a non-disruptive manner in areas receiving heavy public use;
• Responds to emergency call outs, perform stand-by duties as required;
• Prepares and maintains records of work performed and materials used;
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the company's service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a team.

• Relevant technical tertiary qualification;
• 2-5 years' experience in water/wastewater collection systems operation, maintenance, and repair;
• Relevant certification and licenses as required by the Authority regulating the South African water industry;
• Required knowledge and skills of methods, techniques, parts, tools and materials used in the maintenance and repair of water and wastewater infrastructure systems;
• Safe work methods and safety regulations pertaining to the work;
• Computer software programs to include SCADA and GIS mapping;
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms;
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.

Applicants from Cape Town, Western Cape only will be considered