Equipment Technician I

City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Diego in San Diego, CA seeks an Equipment Technician I to repair, maintain, and install a wide range of mechanical equipment including pumps, valves, air compressors, irrigation systems, and meters. The role requires hands-on mechanical work and compliance with safety protocols.

Candidates should have one year of full-time experience repairing such equipment and be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Occasional overtime, nights, or weekends may be required.

Qualifications

• One year of full-time experience repairing and servicing a variety of mechanical equipment such as pumps, valves, air compressors, power tools, meters and irrigation equipment.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and perform physical tasks as needed.
• Valid California Class C Driver's License at the time of hire (Class B may be required for some positions).

Responsibilities

• Repair, maintain, and install a wide range of mechanical equipment (pumps, valves, meters, irrigation systems, air compressors).
• Assist in overhauling and servicing complex equipment as needed.
• Follow safety rules and company policies; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Pumps

Valves

Air compressors

Diesel engines

Irrigation systems

Meters

Tools

SCBA Certification

Confined Space Training

Job description

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

Equipment Technician I positions repair, maintain and/or install a wide variety of mechanical equipment including valves, sewer and water pumps, air compressors, chemical feed equipment, fire hydrants, water meters, parking meters, irrigation systems, small gas and diesel engines, small turf equipment and similar mechanical equipment; assist in overhauling, repairing and maintaining more complex equipment such as boilers, hydraulic systems and pumps, cooling towers, gear reduction units and piping support systems; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by AFSCME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29

• In addition to the scheduled general wage increases, the following equity adjustment wage increases are also scheduled to take effect for Equipment Technician I:
  • 5% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefited employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Equipment Technician I employees may be required to work overtime, nights, weekends, holidays, rotating, and/or stand‑by shifts for which they may receive 5% additional pay.
• Equipment Technician I employees in the Public Utilities Department may be required to work in confined spaces and around raw sewage, noxious chemicals, and other hazardous substances.
• Equipment Technician I employees may be required to lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds, and spend long hours standing and kneeling.
• Some Equipment Technician I positions may require a Self‑Contained Breathing Apparatus Certification and/or a Confined Space Certificate within three months from the date of hire. Employees must remain clean‑shaven and be able to pass a respirator fit‑test for entry into confined spaces and chlorine environments.
• Equipment Technician I employees who operate commercial vehicles are required by California State Law, as a condition of employment, to submit to drug and alcohol test. Prior to hire, a background check will be completed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and with former employers regarding drug and alcohol testing results.

EXPERIENCE

One year of full‑time experience repairing and servicing a variety of mechanical equipment such as pumps, valves, air compressors, power tools, parking meters, light meters, sound level meters, small gasoline or diesel engines, irrigation equipment, mowers, shop equipment; safety equipment such as respirators, Self‑Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs), explosimeters, air lines, emergency mobile equipment and/or firefighting equipment.

NOTES:

• Preventive maintenance work, such as changing oil, lubing, or removing and replacing parts, is NOT considered mechanical repair.
• Experience repairing power tools or sprinkler heads only does NOT qualify.
• City of San Diego employees using the Out‑of‑Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation, signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and the total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver's License is required at the time of hire.

NOTES:

• Some positions may require a valid California Class B Driver's License at the time of hire or six months after hire.
• Candidates will generally be required to show proof of the driver license within about two weeks of receiving a conditional job offer.

HIGHLY DESIRABLES

• For positions in the Public Utilities Department, experience in a wastewater or water treatment facility, major pumping station, or industrial processing facility employing similar technology, repairing, maintaining, overhauling, and troubleshooting mechanical equipment such as pumps, valves, piping, chemical feeders, dewatering centrifuges, gear driver units/speed reducers, air compressors, conveyors, blowers, fans, screens, clarifiers and tanks.
• For positions in the Parks and Recreation Department/Golf Division, experience in irrigation repair, maintenance, and troubleshooting wire faults, irrigation controllers, and valve in head sprinklers. Experience in repair and maintenance on turf equipment such as reels, utility vehicles, walk‑behind mowers, rollers, and top dressers.
• Experience and training with computer programs/software.
• Possession of a valid California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Plant Maintenance Mechanical Technology certification.
• General knowledge of machinery alignment protocol.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION)

• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out‑of‑Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: [phone]; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes that are applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre‑employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, which may include a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test for alcohol cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.

Rev. 9 - October 16, 2026(New Recruitment Date)