Manhole Inspector - Career Training Academy

Department: Charlotte Water DepartmentSalary: $23.50 - $23.50 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

Charlotte’s local government, with more than 9,000 employees and a total budget of $4.49 billion budget, works hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and playCharlotte Water is an enterprise department of the City of Charlotte and one of the largest public water and sewer service providers in the southeast with over 330,000 customer accounts and over 1300 employees. Our service area includes the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mint Hill, Matthews, and Pineville. Charlotte Water’s FY 27 operating budget is $685.6 million and a five-year capital program of $2.5 billion.

PLEASE ATTEND:

Candidate Preparation Day

When: Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Where: NC Works 8601 McAlpine Park Dr. Charlotte, NC 28211

Time: 11:30AM - 1:30PM

SALARY: The salary for this position is: $23.50 Hourly

The intern must be able to commit to the full seven-month assignment and be available to work a designated weekly/hourly schedule. The training will include exposure to Charlotte Water Field Operation division in addition to gaining job readiness skills.

JOB SUMMARY

This internship position tests the sewer systems of Charlotte Water for blockages using acoustics. Work involves reading maps to determine manhole locations; manually digging out utilities; performing acoustic testing as a team to determine manhole condition; conducting inspections; entering data into the system; and making sure safety signage is properly used. This internship ensures equipment and vehicles are in good operating order; maintains inventory; receives and takes parts and materials to work sites as needed; and makes sure vehicles are kept clean.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Applicants for this internship position learn the following tasks as it pertains to the daily work:

• Performs manual and semi-skilled labor tasks related to the inspection and general assessment of the sewer gravity system
• Drives to/from work sites.
• Reads maps to locate manholes.
• Locates utilities on the job; digs out utilities manually.
• Opens/closes manholes.
• Tests wastewater mains for blockages using the SL-RAT equipment; performs acoustic testing as a team.
• Performs simple measurements and performs routine safety inspections.
• Documents on maps and updates information in work order system.
• Receives parts and materials from warehouse personnel; interacts with utility customers.
• Transports materials, tools, and equipment to and from job sites; sets up and removes warning signs and traffic control devices.
• Operates the following: electronic utility locators; small hand and power tools; gas monitors; and computer systems.
• Maintains utility vehicles in clean, good operating condition as assigned.
• Maintains truck inventory; maintains a clean and safe work area.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of basic computer software and communications equipment.
• Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, as well as with hand signals.
• Ability to read and write at a level appropriate for job functions.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and interpret maps. 
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere.
• Ability to deal with and resolve conflict within a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the general public.
• Ability to obtain City driver’s permit 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is heavy work and requires applying up to 20 pounds of force constantly; applying 30 pounds of force frequently; and exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: balancing, climbing, crawling, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, distinguishing among sounds, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by spoken word, shouting above noises, visual acuity in data/color/observations/equipment, and walking.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed regularly where decisions are made that could lead to major community or organizational consequences if there is a failure to make the appropriate decision at the time. Requires working in confined spaces.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Assigned mentor/trainer; workplace-ready certification, OSHA-10 Training, financial literacy, career pathing, wellness programs, on-site gym

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties at any time.  This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Clickhereto learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.