What Do Control and Valve Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Control and Valve Technicians install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors. They also record maintenance information, including test results, material usage, and repairs made.

Other tasks include:

• Calibrate instrumentation, such as meters, gauges, and regulators, for pressure, temperature, flow, and level.
• Install, inspect and test electric meters, relays, and power sources to detect causes of malfunctions and inaccuracies, using hand tools and testing equipment.
• Test valves and regulators for leaks and accurate temperature and pressure settings, using precision testing equipment.
• Record meter readings and installation data on meter cards, work orders, or field service orders, or enter data into hand-held computers.
• Turn meters on or off to establish or close service.
• Shut off service and notify repair crews when major repairs are required, such as the replacement of underground pipes or wiring.

We asked Control and Valve Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 52% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Control and Valve Technicians mount and install meters and other electric equipment such as time clocks, transformers, and circuit breakers, using electricians’ hand tools. They record meter readings and installation data on meter cards, work orders, or field service orders, or enter data into hand-held computers.

A typical day for a Control and Valve Installer and Repairer will also include:

• Collect money due on delinquent accounts.
• Install, inspect and test electric meters, relays, and power sources to detect causes of malfunctions and inaccuracies, using hand tools and testing equipment.
• Record maintenance information, including test results, material usage, and repairs made.
• Repair electric meters and components, such as transformers and relays, and replace metering devices, dial glasses, and faulty or incorrect wiring, using hand tools.
• Trace and tag meters or house lines.

We asked some Control and Valve Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	65% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	41% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	80% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	34% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	12% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	64% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Control and Valve Technicians also clamp regulator units into vises on stages above water tanks, and attach compressed air hoses to intake ports. They may also examine valves or mechanical control device parts for defects, dents, or loose attachments, and mark malfunctioning areas of defective units.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Control and Valve Technicians Calibrate instrumentation, such as meters, gauges, and regulators, for pressure, temperature, flow, and level. They might also Trace and tag meters or house lines.

In addition, they Connect regulators to test stands, and turn screw adjustments until gauges indicate that inlet and outlet pressures meet specifications.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Cut seats to receive new orifices, tap inspection ports, and perform other repairs to salvage usable materials, using hand tools and machine tools.

To some Control and Valve Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Attach air hoses to meter inlets, plug outlets, and observe gauges for pressure losses to test internal seams for leaks.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Control and Valve Installer and Repairer, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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