Lead Sewer Maintenance Worker

City of West Sacramento; West Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of West Sacramento is seeking a Lead Sewer Maintenance Worker to guide advanced sewer system operations and lead field crews in the installation, maintenance, and repair of mains, laterals, and associated facilities. The role emphasizes safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship in daily tasks.

Ideal candidates will have municipal wastewater experience, lead-crew supervision, and CWEA II certification with a California Class A CDL within one year of hire.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge of municipal wastewater collection operations and maintenance.
• Experience leading field crews and supervising tasks.
• Knowledge of safety procedures and confined-space requirements.
• CWEA certification at Grade II or higher and a valid Class A CDL within one year of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Lead staff in installation, repair, replacement, and maintenance of sewer mains, laterals, manholes, lift stations, pumps, and force mains.
• Coordinate daily sewer maintenance activities, including cleaning, CCTV inspection, root control, and rehabilitation.
• Provide technical and functional lead direction, training, and supervision to assigned personnel.
• Develop schedules and methods to accomplish assignments ensuring timely, efficient completion.
• Maintain records, manage CMMS work orders, and prepare operating procedures.
• Respond to emergencies and maintain safe, compliant field operations.

Skills

Leadership

Field supervision

Wastewater systems

Safety procedures

CMMS usage

Education

High school diploma

CWEA Collection System Maintenance Grade II

Class A CDL (California)

Tools

CMMS

Job description

The Lead Sewer Maintenance Worker is an advanced journey-level position responsible for performing and leading the installation, maintenance, repair, and improvement of the City’s wastewater collection system. This includes sewer mains, laterals, manholes, lift stations, pumps, and force mains. The position provides technical and functional lead direction to assigned staff, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory standards.

The Lead Sewer Maintenance Worker coordinates daily sewer maintenance activities such as system cleaning, CCTV inspection, root control, and rehabilitation; operates and oversees the use of specialized equipment; and supports work planning, scheduling, and quality control. This role requires strong technical expertise in wastewater systems, leadership ability, and a commitment to environmental compliance, public health, and reliable infrastructure operations.

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, the most competitive candidates will possess one or more of the following:

• Demonstrated experience in municipal wastewater collection system operations and maintenance
• Experience providing lead direction, training, and oversight to field crews
• Advanced experience in sewer system cleaning, CCTV inspection, root control, and rehabilitation methods
• Experience maintaining and repairing lift stations, pumps, and force mains
• Knowledge of CWEA standards, wastewater regulations, and environmental compliance requirements
• Experience working in confined spaces and implementing appropriate safety procedures
• Experience with Underground Service Alert (USA) marking and utility locating
• Familiarity with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) for work orders and recordkeeping
• Possession of a CWEA Collection System Maintenance Grade II or higher certification
• Possession of a Class A California Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) at time of application

DEFINITION

The Lead Sewer Maintenance Worker performs and leads a variety of tasks necessary to install, maintain, repair, and improve City wastewater infrastructure, which includes, but is not limited to, the installation, maintenance, and repair of sewer mains, laterals, manholes, lift stations, pumps, force mains, and related appurtenances.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Utilities Maintenance Superintendent or designee. Exercises lead technical and functional direction and training over assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The Lead Sewer Maintenance Worker is an advanced-journey level classification, providing technical supervision over the work and training to subordinate personnel. This class is distinguished from the entry and journey level classification in the Maintenance Worker/Senior series because it is responsible for lead direction and oversight; but it is also distinguished from the next higher-level classification, which is supervisory.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodation so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assists the Utilities Maintenance Superintendent and Sewer Supervisor to implement goals, objectives, policies, and priorities.
• Assigns, performs, inspects and supervises the work of staff assigned to the installation, repair, replacement, and maintenance of sewer mains, laterals, manholes, lift stations, pumps, force mains, and related infrastructure and facilities.
• Leads and coordinates daily sewer maintenance activities including cleaning, CCTV inspection, root control, and rehabilitation.
• Practice shoring techniques when appropriate.
• Pour and finish concrete.
• Cut, fit, lay and repair wastewater mains.
• Develop schedules and methods to accomplish assignments, ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Operation of a variety of equipment including large trucks and medium-sized construction equipment such as loaders, backhoes, trenching machines, and compressors, as well as pipe threaders, concrete saws and jackhammers.
• Set up and inspect traffic safety controls and/or devices prior to beginning field work; inspect traffic control during maintenance and construction assignments.
• Read and interpret wastewater system maps and blueprints, including Underground Service Alert marking and notifications.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance on tools, equipment, and vehicles; stock vehicles with adequate supply of tools and equipment needed to perform work.
• Keep records of related to work, materials, and maintenance activities, including confined space entry.
• Assigns and performs the most complex and highly skilled operational duties such as budget review, parts and equipment procurement, and preparing operating procedures.
• Maintains detailed records.
• Responds to emergency calls.
• Evaluates operational effectiveness.
• Provides technical training and lead supervision to subordinate personnel.
• Provides overall supervision during the Supervisor or designee’s absence.
• Assigns and performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.
• Uses a computer to enter data into maintenance management systems (CMMS), create reports, and manage work orders.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, outside agencies, and the public using principles of good customer service.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skill. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Two (2) years of experience equivalent to a Senior Maintenance Worker in the City of West Sacramento.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

A valid California driver’s license. Possession of a valid Class 'A' California driver’s license within one (1) year of appointment and maintenance of license pursuant to the Department of Transportation regulations. Possession and maintenance of a Collection System Maintenance Grade I Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA). Within twelve (12) months of appointment, possession and maintenance of a valid CWEA Collection System Maintenance Grade II Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA).

WORKING CONDITIONS

Ability to wear and use SCBA units as regulated by CalOSHA. Classification is subject to the drug and alcohol testing policy pursuant to the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations implementing the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991. Field and construction site environment; exposure to dust and noise; some heavy lifting, standing, climbing and bending; work with heavy equipment; work in inclement weather conditions, adverse conditions, and/or emergency situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in the field, streets and various other City infrastructure; strength, stamina and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves field work requiring frequent walking at construction site areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach and climb to perform work and inspect work sites; lift, move, and carry materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Field and construction site environment; travel from site to site; exposure to water including sewer water, dust, noise, traffic and hazardous materials; some heavy lifting, standing, climbing and bending; work with heavy equipment; may work in confined spaces; work in inclement weather conditions and/or emergency situations. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

An applicant who qualifies for veterans’ preference and successfully places on an eligibility list for initial entrance into employment with the city shall be advanced one rank on the final eligibility list. Where there are five (5) or less qualified applicants, no veterans’ preference shall apply and all applicants shall be placed on the certification list forwarded to the departments for hiring consideration. The exercise of veterans’ preference shall be exhausted upon appointment to a regular position from an eligibility list.