Assistant Utility Operator
Southwest Water Company

Job Outlook
According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment of machinists and tool and die makers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Many job opportunities are expected to arise from the need to replace workers who leave the occupation each year.

Pay
The median annual wage for electrical power-line installers and repairers was $75,030 in May 2020.
The median annual wage for telecommunications line installers and repairers was $58,870 in May 2020.

The utilities sector is part of the trade, transportation, and utilities supersector. The Utilities sector comprises establishments engaged in the provision of the following utility services: electric power, natural gas, steam supply, water supply, and sewage removal. Within this sector, the specific activities associated with the utility services provided vary by utility: electric power includes generation, transmission, and distribution; natural gas includes distribution; steam supply includes provision and/or distribution; water supply includes treatment and distribution; and sewage removal includes collection, treatment, and disposal of waste through sewer systems and sewage treatment facilities.

A utility worker can also be someone who is responsible to maintenance a company site and equipment. Utility workers may take verbal and written instructions from managers and maintenance staff in regards to the assigned work areas inside and outside of a work site. Some employers may require their utility workers to have a commercial driver's license because they will be operating maintenance equipment and vehicles. Although a bachelor's degree is not required, utility workers must be in good physical condition and also be able to read written work orders.

Utility Workers perform routine maintenance activities in a variety of work environments. Because the job usually requires a lot of lifting and climbing, a Utility Worker must be in good physical condition. Utility Workers also have to operate maintenance equipment and vehicles, making a valid driver’s license essential for many jobs. Some employers also require candidates to obtain a commercial driver’s license. Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools. This is an entry-level position with no supervisory responsibilities; however, an experienced Utility Worker has the potential to become head of the maintenance department. Utility Workers often find jobs with manufacturing companies, parks and recreation departments, restaurants, health care organizations and transportation facilities.

As an example of Utility Workers, Machinists and tool and die makers typically are trained on the job. It is possible to be trained as well with apprenticeship programs, vocational schools, or community and technical colleges. Although machinists typically need just a high school diploma, tool and die makers may need to complete courses beyond high school.