Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance

What does the Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance career field do?

Installs, inspects, maintains, troubleshoots, modifies, repairs, and manages plumbing, water distribution, wastewater collection systems, water and wastewater treatment systems, fire suppression, backflow prevention systems, natural gas distribution systems; (3E4X1A Fuel Systems Maintenance) liquid fuel storage, distribution, and dispensing systems. Complies with environmental and safety regulations. Related DoD Occupational Subgroups: 172000.

Duties and responsibilities

• Installs, and operates natural gas, plumbing, water and wastewater treatment systems, fire suppression, backflow prevention systems, aircraft hydrant refueling, bulk storage, and ground product dispensing systems. Monitors systems operation to ensure efficiency and compliance with local state, federal and DoD regulations for safety and environmental regulations for hazardous materials. Installs and operates field potable water treatment equipment.
• Maintains, inspects, and repairs natural gas, swimming pools, plumbing, water and wastewater treatment systems, fire suppression, and backflow prevention assembly and program. Performs inspection, recurring maintenance, winterize, and overhaul systems. Operationally inspects and diagnoses malfunctions in mechanical and electrical system controls and components using technical orders, manufactures’ handbooks, local procedures, code, and directives. Inspects condition and operation of electrical components such as motors, disconnect switches, contacts, solenoids, relays, alarms, cathodic protection systems and programmable logic controls. Conducts fuel system components and performs pressure testing and maintenance on fuel system piping. Performs confined space entries to accomplish system maintenance. Solves complex maintenance problems by studying layout drawings, wiring diagrams, and schematics to analyze, isolate and troubleshoot system malfunctions. Removes, repairs, and replaces defective components. Installs, modifies, repairs, and maintains a variety of new and existing utility, supply, and disposal systems and equipment such as sewage, water, oil, and gas distribution systems, and water closets, tubs, backflow prevention devices/assemblies, fire sprinkler systems, and showers. Locates and taps main lines, sets up system routes, places and cuts route openings, places hangers for proper level and slope, and determines and installs valves, traps, and unions as needed for proper operation of a variety of systems and equipment. Develops and establishes operation and maintenance procedures to ensure maximum efficiency.
• Locates and determines quality and quantity of water sources. Coordinates locations of field latrines and pits with engineering and medical staff. Analyzes water for chemical and physical characteristics to determine water purification treatment methods. Installs and operates field potable water treatment equipment. Assists with installation, maintenance, and repair of Fuels Mobility Support Equipment (FMSE), Fuels Operational Readiness Capability Equipment (FORCE), and other contingency fueling assets.
• Performs planning activities, quality assurance to include service contracts, and facility surveys. Surveys proposed work to determine resource requirements. Initiates fuel facility Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization and Military Construction Projects to include project review, monitoring, and acceptance through Defense Energy Support Center (DESC). Prepares cost estimates and supply procurement for in-service work. Applies engineered performance standards to plan and estimate jobs. Ensures all planning activities comply with environmental and safety regulations to include hazardous materials.
• 3E4X1A Fuel Systems Maintenance, Installs, maintains, and repairs aircraft hydrant refueling, bulk storage, and ground product dispensing systems. Operationally inspects fuel system components such as pumps, automatic/manual valves, electrical motors, switches, filtration equipment, and like items for proper operation. Performs pressure testing and maintenance on fuel system piping. Troubleshoots system malfunctions and performs appropriate repairs. Performs internal and external maintenance on above and below ground fuel tanks, to include, cleaning of tank interior. Performs confined space entries to accomplish system maintenance. Uses drawings and schematics to analyze and isolate malfunctions. Initiates Fuel Facility Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization and Military Construction Projects to include project review, monitoring, and acceptance through DESC. Assists with installation, maintenance, and repair of Fuels Mobility Support Equipment (FMSE), Fuels Operational Readiness Capability Equipment (FORCE), and other contingency fueling assets.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Must have mandatory knowledge of contingency/peacetime operations in hydraulic, electrical, mechanical theories, and principles that apply to all utility and liquid fuel systems. Has knowledge in, characteristics, physiological effects, and hazards of liquid fuel products. To include types, sizes, and uses of plumbing materials and components; mathematics; reading and interpreting drawings and specifications, military and commercial publications, and environmental regulations; maintenance of water distribution, wastewater collection, and natural gas distribution systems and corrosion prevention. Additionally, has knowledge of Prime BEEF program and its role in supporting worldwide contingency operations.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, earth sciences, drawing and specification use, and shop mechanics is desirable.

Training. The following training is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 3E431. Completion of Water and Fuels Systems Maintenance Apprentice course J8AQR3E431 01AB & J8AQR3E431 02ABJ3ABR3E431 03AC.
• 3E451A Completion of Fuel Systems Maintenance Technician Courses J6ANW3E451 04AA and J3AZR3E451 04AC
• 3E471 and 3E471A. Completion of Advanced Control Systems Cybersecurity Course (AFIT WENG 270) Note: Highly recommended for ANG and AFRES

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 3E451. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3E431, completion of Core Tasks and Career Development Courses is mandatory. Also, experience in functions such as installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of liquid fuel systems, natural gas distribution systems, plumbing, water distribution and wastewater collection systems.
• 3E471. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3E451, completion of core tasks, and 7 level web- b a s e d course. Also, experience performing or supervision functions such as operation, maintenance, and repair of liquid fuel systems, natural gas distribution systems, plumbing, water distribution and wastewater collection systems.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty:
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license to operate government motor vehicles (GMV) in accordance with AFI 24-301, Vehicle Operations.
• Freedom from fear of confined spaces (Claustrophobia).
• Freedom from fear of heights (Acrophobia).
• See Attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• For entry, award, and retention, normal color vision as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs, must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.
• For retention of the AFSC if awarded 3 skill level, 2 years of lack of recent performance AFSC is withdrawn IAW DAFMAN 36-2100.
• For retention of the AFSC if awarded 5 skill level, 4 years of lack of recent performance then downgraded to 3 skill level and then 2 more years of non performance AFSC is withdrawn IAW DAFMAN 36-2100.
• For retention of the AFSC if awarded 7or 9 skill level, 6 years of lack of recent performance then downgraded to 3 skill level and then 2 more years of non performance AFSC is withdrawn IAW DAFMAN 36-2100.
• For entry, award, and retention, normal color vision as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs, must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $31,760–$88,570 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Construction and Building Inspectors: $62,860
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers: $60,580
• Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians: $51,630
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: $67,840
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: $62,850
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: $31,760
• Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: $33,590
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery: $50,100
• Pipelayers: $40,480
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: $56,330
• Pump Operators: $48,090
• Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners: $41,120
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators: $49,090
• Water/Wastewater Engineers: $88,570