Josh Dickens, Water Systems Operations/Maintenance (O/M) Supervisor (Sewer), approaches his work – and his life – with humor, a meticulous eye for detail, and resilience.
Josh leans into conversations with others and is interested in the people around him. The immersive quality of leadership and learning how to navigate the individual temperaments of his colleagues is one of his favorite aspects of the job.
“I like learning how to interact with so many different personalities,” he said. “It is challenging, but it is rewarding.”
Josh also understands that to do his work well, he needs to be able to navigate interpersonal communication well, along with understanding the technical aspects of supervising the sewer maintenance distribution system and ensuring state regulatory requirements are met. The sewer distribution system amounts to 446 miles of gravity mains, 93 miles of force mains, and 44 pump stations.
He takes meticulous care of his duties at Greenville Utilities and has done so since 1994, when he was hired in Water Resources as a General Utility Worker.
“I have an eye for details,” Josh admits. “I have been known to adjust valves in the ground to be perfectly level if I see them not to my standards.”
He credits his pursuit of perfection to wanting to do the best job possible, which comes from a value that has been ingrained in him from his Christian faith.
Josh said that his drive to work hard comes from the Biblical scripture. Colossians 3:23 says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
“I am a Christian, and the Bible talks about working like you are working for God,” he said. “In everything I do, I do the best job I can do. If you are working like you work for God, you will do your very best.”
His deep commitment to his work has been showcased over the 31 years he’s been at GUC. Never more so on display than it was in 1999 when Hurricane Floyd floodwaters overwhelmed GUC facilities.
He said his proudest career accomplishment was being a part of the team that protected the water supply at the Water Treatment Plant.
“We were sandbagging, making sure the pumps stayed running,” he said. “We sacrificed so much time in our lives to keep the Plant running.”
Josh laughs easily, and he encourages others to not take themselves too seriously, either.
“To get through life, to enjoy it, you can’t take yourself too seriously,” he said. “I taught my kids that and I live by it.”
FUN FACT! I have had two different llamas spit in my face at different times in my life.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
I always had aspirations of being a fighter pilot, but I am claustrophobic, so being one was ruled out. As a kid, I wanted to be a cop or a fire fighter, like most children.
What was your very first job?
My very first job was landscaping at 14. I still take those lessons I learned there about landscaping – perfect the look, focus on the details.
What advice do you offer to those who are new to the utility industry?
Don’t hitch your wagon to the lowest common denominator. Find the superstar around you and hitch your wagon to them and you’ll do fine.
What would you like us to know about your family (spouse, kids, pets, geographical locations, etc.)?
I have a wife, Ivela, a son, Nathanael, 25; a daughter, Abigail, 19; and a 10-year-old beagle by the name of Chris Moose, but we call him Moose.
What is your favorite family or holiday tradition?
After Thanksgiving, we watch Christmas Vacation. When my mom was alive, we watched Sound of Music. I love that musical.
Have you ever had a nickname?
I was given the name Tank in the Meter Department. In school, they called me Twinkie Head. I am not sure why, maybe because my head is shaped like a Twinkie, but I don’t really know.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would pay all my bills. I’d buy a house in the mountains and one at the beach. I’d also buy my father-in-law a house at the river and a new boat. His boat works fine, until it is put in the river. I’d get him a new one.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Both. Either way I am awake at 4 a.m.
What’s your favorite thing to do when not at work?
Chill with my wife and watch TV. We don’t really like to go out.
What’s your favorite season of the year?
Both days of spring.
What is your favorite movie?
Braveheart
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People who park in the fire lane in front of a store and people who park in the handicapped parking who aren’t handicapped. And put the grocery carts back!
What is one thing that instantly makes your day better?
When Public Information comes into my office, but, really, it’s coffee.
What are your favorite things about life right now?
For years, decades really, I have fought with weight and what to eat and what to not eat. Recently, I have been fasting, and this has helped me conquer all the misinformation there is about what to eat. I think that battle has come to a resolution. I’ve also been working out more.
If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Study in school and finish your degree.
What is your favorite memory from childhood?
My 5th birthday. We pulled up to our house, we were living on Summit Street at the time, and there were fire trucks everywhere. As a kid, I thought they were there for my birthday. I remember feeling so happy to see them. But they were actually there to put out a fire. My house was on fire. And I know that sounds rough, but that feeling when I thought they were there for my birthday is a good memory for me.
What’s your favorite quote?
“Do or do not. There is no try.” - Yoda
