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47-4071.00 · Task explorer

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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.

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Read the task inventory

This source lists 22 tasks, including 10 marked Core and 12 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 07/2017.

22 tasks shown

Core · Task 11602 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.

Core · Task 11601 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.

Core · Task 11613 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.

Core · Task 11604 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.

Core · Task 11603 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.

Core · Task 11610 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.

Core · Task 11608 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.

Core · Task 11612 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.

Core · Task 11609 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.

Core · Task 11615 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels.

Supplemental · Task 11620 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages.

Supplemental · Task 11606 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.

Supplemental · Task 11605 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.

Supplemental · Task 11619 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Rotate cleaning rods manually, using turning pins.

Supplemental · Task 11607 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.

Supplemental · Task 11611 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Start machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings, stopping machines and changing knives to conform to pipe sizes.

Supplemental · Task 11622 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Update sewer maps and manhole charts.

Supplemental · Task 11617 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Cover repaired pipes with dirt, and pack backfilled excavations, using air and gasoline tampers.

Supplemental · Task 11614 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves.

Supplemental · Task 11618 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Requisition or order tools and equipment.

Supplemental · Task 11616 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels.

Supplemental · Task 11621 · 07/2017 · Incumbent

Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

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