Since starting in 1983, Tapani has evolved from a single-person operation to a family-led legacy, maintaining a fun and friendly environment from the beginning. With a large team across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, we now cover five diverse market sectors: Civil Site Development, Buildings, Environmental, Transportation, and Utility Infrastructure. The consistent dedication to our core values has helped us grow, creating more opportunities for our current team and the need for new teammates.
Take a look what our current employees say about working for Tapani: Tapani Careers
Job Summary
The pipelayer is responsible for preparing and laying pipe for storm drains, sanitary sewers, waterlines, and other types of pipelines. The pipelayer ensures that trenches are properly excavated, shored, and prepared for pipeline installation. The pipelayer grades and levels trench foundations, aligns and positions pipes, and checks pipe slopes using levels or lasers to ensure they conform to specifications. The pipelayer also ensures that trenches are bedded and backfilled properly so pipe isn’t out of round and installs pipes that are on grade and airtight as required. The pipelayer supports the Foreman in monitoring progress, ensuring work is completed safely, and efficiently.
Responsibilities
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Oversees Install of Water, Sanitary, Storm pipe systems, and structures related to them.
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Assist with locating and avoiding existing utilities by potholing via shoveling or vac truck
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Ensure trenches are dug out to the correct grade by guiding the mainline operator, and/or use of shovels, by following lasers, and levels
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Develop basic knowledge of equipment, and setup, of lasers, transits, grade rods, and line levels.
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Develop understanding of how to read survey stakes. E.G. cuts, fills, and elevations
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Ensure that subsoil has been compacted so that there will be no sags, or bellies resulting from uncompacted and settling soils beneath the pipe. This will include the use of tamping machines and various hand tools.
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Ensure that the pipe is laid to exact grades by use of laser, and levels
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Measure and cut pipes to correct lengths, and have knowledge of correct equipment to make said cuts
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Ensure that all joints, and fittings are inspected, cleaned, aligned, and installed to manufacturers specifications.
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Be able to use equipment to make taps, or drill holes, for auxiliary lines to be connected
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Ensure bedding around the pipe has been compacted so that no ovaling of the pipe can occur. By means of mechanical equipment or using a shovel “chinking”.
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Communicate with the tophand to relay information to operators so the pipelayers needs are accommodated without delay to the work
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Make sure enough cover has been placed over laid pipe before compaction equipment begins, as to not oval the pipeline.
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Promote a safe work environment, and adhere to company’s safety policies.
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Have current confined space training, and promote the use of confined space entry procedures
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Assist with general labor as requested
Job Requirements and Qualifications
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6 months - 2 years previous experience preferred.
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High school education or equivalent.
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Willingness to work nights and weekends
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Willingness to work out of town
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Provide own transportation
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Ability to lift 50 - 100 lbs on a consistent basis
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Understanding of the operations and maintenance of all tools and equipment utilized on site, and able to determine the right tools and equipment to do the job
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Excellent communication skills with co-workers and supervisors.
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Certification in Confined Space, Rigging and Signaling, and Flagging are preferred.
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Generally installs waterline, shallow storm runs, shallow sewer runs, electrical conduit, and irrigation without dig ups
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Installs standard manholes and catch basins quickly
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General knowledge of the different types of joints and how to fasten
Working Environment
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Working conditions for this position will be on project site.
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The pipelayer must be able to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms, legs, and the whole body. Activities include extensive manual labor, climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
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Frequent bending, reaching, talking, kneeling and repetitive motions of hands/wrists and feet
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The pipelayer must use hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and manipulating things
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Occasional climbing and stooping.
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Hours worked will be weather dependent along with schedule requirements. Summer time typically is longer hours and winter typically is shorter hours due to daylight.
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Work may require weekend, and out of town work when projects demand.
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This can be a noisy work environment so the use of earplugs is encouraged, and at times mandatory
Compensation and Benefits
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Pay: $29.04 - $42.00 per hour (based on qualifications and experience)
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Comprehensive Medical Insurance plans with low to $0 monthly premiums
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Additional voluntary insurance options include: Dental, Vision, and a wide variety of Supplemental insurances.
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Flexible Paid Time Off and Sick Time
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Company Paid Life Insurance
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401(k) options with up to 4% employer match
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See the full list of benefits here
