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Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners - 47-4071.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Drain Cleaner
  • Drain Technician
  • Public Works Technician
  • Septic Cleaner
  • Septic Pump Truck Driver
  • Septic Tank Service Technician
  • Service Technician
  • Sewer Bricklayer

SOC Occupation Groups

47-0000 Construction and Extraction Occupations
47-4000 Other Construction and Related Workers
47-4070 Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
47-4071.00 Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels.
  • Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages.
  • Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
  • Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.
  • Cover repaired pipes with dirt, and pack backfilled excavations, using air and gasoline tampers.
  • Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves.
  • Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels.
  • Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.
  • Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.
  • Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.
  • Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.
  • Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.
  • Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.
  • Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
  • Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.
  • Requisition or order tools and equipment.
  • Rotate cleaning rods manually, using turning pins.
  • Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.
  • Start machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings, stopping machines and changing knives to conform to pipe sizes.
  • Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles.
  • Update sewer maps and manhole charts.
  • Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Break up rock, asphalt, or concrete.
  • Clean equipment or facilities.
  • Communicate with other construction or extraction personnel to discuss project details.
  • Compact materials to create level bases.
  • Cut metal components for installation.
  • Decontaminate equipment or sites to remove hazardous or toxic substances.
  • Dig holes or trenches.
  • Drill holes in construction materials.
  • Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment.
  • Edit documents.
  • Inspect completed work to ensure proper installation.
  • Inspect plumbing systems or fixtures.
  • Install equipment attachments or components.
  • Locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement.
  • Maintain construction tools or equipment.
  • Maintain mechanical equipment.
  • Maintain plumbing structures or fixtures.
  • Measure work site dimensions.
  • Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.
  • Order construction or extraction materials or equipment.
  • Record operational or environmental data.
  • Remove worn, damaged or outdated materials from work areas.
  • Spread sand, dirt or other loose materials onto surfaces.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Advanced Utilitiesman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Cannon Crewmember (Army - Enlisted)
  • Cavalry Scout (Army - Enlisted)
  • Combat Engineer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Combat Medic Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Damage Controlman (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Hull Systems Maintainer (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Hull Systems Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Infantryman (Army - Enlisted)
  • Infrastructure Systems Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • M1 Armor Crewman (Army - Enlisted)
  • Marine Safety Specialist Engineer (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Material Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Plumber (Army - Enlisted)
  • Unit Supply Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Utilitiesman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Craftsman, Fuel Systems Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Journeyman, Fuel Systems Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Sewer-Line Repairer
  • Sewer-Pipe Cleaner