What does a Utility Worker do?
A utility worker is an entry-level position who is responsible for the cleanliness and maintenance of company premises and equipment. Utility workers take verbal and written instructions from managers and maintenance officers about the assigned work areas inside and outside of the property. 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 worker responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real utility worker resumes:
- Perform inspection reviews on final product and packaging to ensure quality standards are achieved according to GMP guidelines.
- Maintain the installation and demolition of the worksite buildings and provide HVAC; electrical repairs and equipment repairs as needed.
- Operate tools, including rakes, shovels, saws, axes and shears.
- Maintain parks/schools grass cuts, blower, weedeat, plant plants, mulch leaves, etc.
- Follow all GMP guidelines and documentation.
- Service and clean cnc lathe machines.
- Repair /install new concrete and spread asphalt.
- Recycle brass chips and coolant from cnc lathe machines.
- Repair asphalt roads that are caved-in and contain sink holes.
- Operate necessary equipment such as forklifts, loaders and backhoes.
- Transport supplies between work and storage sites using cdl require trucks.
- Train on proper use of PPE, and earn flagging certification.
- Remove cut and prep ammonia lines for repair or new insulation.
- Complete pre and post-trip safety inspection recording and reporting any defects.
- Utilize a bobcat to skim the bins in preparation for transport.
Utility worker skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Utility Workers are proficient in Customer Service, Safety Procedures, and Cleanliness. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Dexterity, and Troubleshooting skills.
We break down the percentage of Utility Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 23%
Assisted customers and provided exceptional customer service * Restocked freshening products * Washed dishes and maintained a clean and sanitary environment
- Safety Procedures, 18%
Followed and performed correct safety procedures to insure safety.
- Cleanliness, 18%
Maintained cleanliness of dining area and restrooms* Assisted in maintaining the cleanliness of kitchen area* Performed additional duties assigned by Supervisor
- Rehabilitation, 9%
Worked in lift station construction, rehabilitation, & assisted with startups of finished lift stations.
- Kitchen Utensils, 8%
Maintained a clean facility by sanitizing and sterilizing kitchen utensils and appliances.
- Food Service, 4%
Communicate appropriately with all food service staff, supervisors, other facility staff and listen effectively.
Common skills that a utility worker uses to do their job include "customer service," "safety procedures," and "cleanliness." You can find details on the most important utility worker responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a utility worker to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "these workers interact with customers on a regular basis." Additionally, a utility worker resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "sanitize food handling areas clean and maintain patient/customer dining areas maintain a clean and organized work area service and maintain cooking equipment"
Dexterity. Many utility worker duties rely on dexterity. "many repair and maintenance tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination.," so a utility worker will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways utility worker responsibilities rely on dexterity: "waste control, operating a forklift to load trucks, maintaining cleanliness of designated work area. "
Troubleshooting skills. This is an important skill for utility workers to perform their duties. For an example of how utility worker responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "workers find, diagnose, and repair problems." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a utility worker: "maintain forklift equipment by troubleshooting breakdowns, performing preventive maintenance, recommending repairs and performing routine pre and post inspections. ".
The three companies that hire the most utility workers are:
- AAramark745 utility workers jobs
- SSodexo Management, Inc.436 utility workers jobs
- AAtria Senior Living192 utility workers jobs
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Compare different utility workers
Utility worker vs. Handyman
A handyman can perform various repair and maintenance tasks involving electricity, carpentry, plumbing, and even appliance installation. Most handymen work independently, but they can also choose to be part of a company. Furthermore, a handyman must also discuss the extent of repairs to clients, even sharing insights on maintaining facilities in good condition. There are instances when a handyman may be required to work in a group setting, which requires an active line of communication and coordination.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, utility worker responsibilities require skills like "safety procedures," "cleanliness," "rehabilitation," and "kitchen utensils." Meanwhile a typical handyman has skills in areas such as "plumbing," "drywall repair," "caulking," and "light fixtures." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Handymen earn the highest salaries when working in the construction industry, with an average yearly salary of $51,528. On the other hand, utility workers are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $33,182.The education levels that handymen earn slightly differ from utility workers. In particular, handymen are 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a utility worker. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Utility worker vs. Repair technician
A repair technician's role focuses on assessing the problem or damage of a device and implementing solutions for it to function again. Although the extent of a technician's tasks will depend on the device or industry of employment, most of it revolves around troubleshooting, providing technical support, installing and writing programs, detaching and re-attaching wirings, welding, and even thoroughly discussing problems and solutions to clients. Furthermore, there are instances when a repair technician must work in a team setting that requires coordination and communication.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that utility worker responsibilities requires skills like "safety procedures," "cleanliness," "rehabilitation," and "kitchen utensils." But a repair technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer satisfaction," "preventative maintenance," "work ethic," and "strong work ethic."
Repair technicians earn a higher average salary than utility workers. But repair technicians earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $49,974. Additionally, utility workers earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $33,182 annually.In general, repair technicians achieve similar levels of education than utility workers. They're 0.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Utility worker vs. Maintenance lead technician
A maintenance lead technician oversees the daily maintenance operations of a department or establishment. Their duties revolve around conducting inspections and regular maintenance checks on facilities and equipment, performing repairs as necessary. They are also responsible for troubleshooting issues, fixing and replacing components, cleaning different areas, installing fixtures, and providing technical support to employees. Additionally, a maintenance lead technician guides and trains junior technicians while implementing the company's policies and safety standards for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from utility worker resumes include skills like "cleanliness," "rehabilitation," "kitchen utensils," and "food service," whereas a maintenance lead technician is more likely to list skills in "preventative maintenance," "plumbing," "ladders," and "plc. "
Maintenance lead technicians make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $54,994. On the other hand, utility workers are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $33,182.When it comes to education, maintenance lead technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to utility workers. In fact, they're 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Utility worker vs. Groundskeeping maintenance
A Groundskeeping Maintenance Worker performs several skilled and semi-skilled tasks in grounds keeping and building trade areas. They maintain turf places, including weed control and Integrated Pest Management. They also cut and install window glass. These professionals replace broken pipes, replace gaskets, replace washers, replace faucets, flush sewer lines, and clean clogged drains. A Groundskeepipng Maintenance Worker must know how to operate hand equipment and power tools and identify and repair minor roof leaks.
Types of utility worker
Updated January 8, 2025
