What does a utility mechanic supervisor do?
A utility mechanic supervisor supervises workers who repair damaged and faulty utility systems. They are responsible for supervising mechanics while they are troubleshooting technical difficulties or repairing mechanical failures. They are required to optimize the repair and maintenance of electrical, HVAC, and plumbing equipment systems. Furthermore, they may also be expected to carry out chemical analysis of water treatments for boilers, HVAC softeners, and purifying water systems.
Utility mechanic supervisor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real utility mechanic supervisor resumes:
- Optimize the repair and maintenance of HVAC, electrical and plumbing equipment and systems.
- Maintain and repair motors, controllers, pumps, valves, and blowers.
- Perform simple chemical analysis of water treatments for boilers, HVAC, softeners, purify water system, etc.
- Supervise mechanics in the diagnosis and repair of technical difficulties, installation and in mechanical failures of military equipment.
- Provide effective troubleshooting of mechanical issues, utilizes mechanical technology, including knowledge and understanding of diagnostics.
Utility mechanic supervisor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 26% of Utility Mechanic Supervisors are proficient in Hand Tools, Preventive Maintenance, and HVAC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Dexterity, and Troubleshooting skills.
We break down the percentage of Utility Mechanic Supervisors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 26%
Adjusted and replaced defective and improperly functioning circuitry and electronics components, using hand tools and soldering iron.
- Preventive Maintenance, 9%
Worked on special assignment to focus on our TMP department and develop a more extensive preventive maintenance procedures
- HVAC, 8%
Perform simple chemical analysis of water treatments for boilers, HVAC, softeners, purified water system, etc.
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair, Instrumentation and Electrical components including PLC and VFD systems.
- Plumbing, 5%
Installed and inspected new and existing plumbing lines up to 10 inch in diameter.
- Ladders, 4%
Work from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs to install, maintain or repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
Most utility mechanic supervisors use their skills in "hand tools," "preventive maintenance," and "hvac" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential utility mechanic supervisor responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a utility mechanic supervisor 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 mechanic supervisor resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "communicated with customers regarding recommendations on repairs, replacements and upgrades of plumbing equipment. "
Dexterity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling utility mechanic supervisor duties is dexterity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "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." According to a utility mechanic supervisor resume, here's how utility mechanic supervisors can utilize dexterity in their job responsibilities: "attach rigging and signal crane or hoist operators to lift heavy frame and plate sections or other parts into place. "
Troubleshooting skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of utility mechanic supervisors is troubleshooting skills. This skill is critical to many everyday utility mechanic supervisor duties, as "workers find, diagnose, and repair problems." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "monitored, preventive and predictive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair and instalation of hvac-r, building and utilities equipment. "
The three companies that hire the most utility mechanic supervisors are:
- Estes Express Lines26 utility mechanic supervisors jobs
- American Water8 utility mechanic supervisors jobs
- UPS8 utility mechanic supervisors jobs
Compare different utility mechanic supervisors
Utility mechanic supervisor vs. Section chief
A section chief's job varies with the type of organization. In most cases, a section chief is the head of a given section in an organization that is tasked with performing certain duties. A section chief is the head of a unit and provides leadership, motivation, and management of a section of employees. Their duties and responsibilities include reviewing and overseeing budgets, expenditure, and section activities.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, utility mechanic supervisor responsibilities require skills like "hand tools," "hvac," "troubleshoot," and "plumbing." Meanwhile a typical section chief has skills in areas such as "training programs," "professional development," "logistical support," and "combat." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Section chiefs earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $59,842. On the other hand, utility mechanic supervisors are paid more in the utilities industry with an average salary of $51,010.On average, section chiefs reach higher levels of education than utility mechanic supervisors. Section chiefs are 6.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Utility mechanic supervisor vs. Maintenance manager
A maintenance manager's role is to lead and oversee the workflow and workforce involved in the upkeep of a building or establishment. Duties include ensuring that all aspects are operational and in good condition. Some of the responsibilities of a maintenance manager are to supervise all installation and repairs in the building, arrange schedules for regular inspection, devise strategies, obtain cost-effective materials, and hire trustworthy contractors. Furthermore, maintenance managers must coordinate with all workforce involved and ensure that all operations adhere to the company's policies and regulations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real utility mechanic supervisor resumes. While utility mechanic supervisor responsibilities can utilize skills like "hand tools," "preventive maintenance," "troubleshoot," and "water systems," maintenance managers use skills like "customer service," "continuous improvement," "cmms," and "maintenance procedures."
On average, maintenance managers earn a higher salary than utility mechanic supervisors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, maintenance managers earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $81,084. Whereas utility mechanic supervisors have higher pay in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $51,010.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Maintenance managers tend to reach similar levels of education than utility mechanic supervisors. In fact, they're 2.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Utility mechanic supervisor vs. Equipment manager
An equipment manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the office equipment and machinery to support the business functions and daily operations. Equipment managers perform preventive maintenance on the machines and equipment, reviewing its licenses and service agreements, as well as look for product alternatives with minimal costing but deliver high-performance. They also attend to the employees' repair calls, delegate tasks to the equipment team, replace defective components, and monitor the adequacy of mechanical inventory.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, utility mechanic supervisors are more likely to have skills like "hand tools," "preventive maintenance," "plumbing," and "ladders." But a equipment manager is more likely to have skills like "equipment maintenance," "equipment room," "logistics," and "equipment management."
Equipment managers make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $70,458. On the other hand, utility mechanic supervisors are paid the highest salary in the utilities industry, with average annual pay of $51,010.When it comes to education, equipment managers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to utility mechanic supervisors. In fact, they're 2.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Utility mechanic supervisor vs. Body shop manager
Types of utility mechanic supervisor
Updated January 8, 2025
