Maintenance Helper- Hourly (Water Division)

City of South Gate; South Gate (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of South Gate is seeking a part-time Maintenance Helper to support city-wide upkeep of facilities, streets, parks, and utilities. The role involves light to moderate manual tasks, operation of basic hand and power tools, and adherence to safety procedures in busy public settings.

Under supervision, you will assist with painting prep, graffiti removal, and routine maintenance across public works, parks, and recreation areas.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and up to 6 months of maintenance experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare surfaces for painting and apply finishes with hand tools or power tools.
• Remove graffiti and paint over surfaces; participate in community cleanup activities.
• Assist with routine plumbing, electrical and carpentry maintenance and repair.
• Repair streets, curbs, gutters, driveways, sidewalks and storm drains; dig and move materials.
• Install, repair and maintain water distribution components as needed.
• Set up cones, signs, barricades and flags at work sites for safety and traffic control.
• Complete log of work performed and note facility conditions as required.

Skills

Hand tools

Power equipment

Safety awareness

Record keeping

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

THIS IS PART-TIME, TEMPORARY, AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

THIS POSITION DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR FULL-TIME BENEFITS

May work up to 29 hours per week, up to a maximum of 960 hours in a fiscal year

This recruitment will close on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

OR

once we receive the first 50 applications, whichever occurs first

Under supervision, performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tasks involved in the maintenance, repair or servicing of City buildings and facilities, City streets, sidewalks, sewers, storm facilities, parks, recreation areas and open spaces; operates trucks and heavy equipment; uses a variety of hand and power tools and equipment; performs related duties as required.

Class Characteristics

The Maintenance Helper is an entry level classification assigned to public works or parks maintenance areas which include streets and sidewalks, water and sewer systems, traffic signs and signals, municipal buildings, parks, recreation areas and other facilities.

Supervision Received

Works under the lead direction of a higher-level maintenance worker or under the supervision of a maintenance supervisor.

Supervision Exercised

Does not exercise supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Functions

• Assists with preparation of surfaces for painting; applies paint, varnish, shellac, enamel or other protective finishes to various surfaces.
• Removes graffiti from City, public, private and commercial properties using appropriate solvents; paints surfaces covering graffiti; participates in community neighborhood clean-up activities.
• Assists with routine plumbing, electrical and carpentry maintenance and repair.
• Assists with the repair and maintenance of streets, curbs, gutters, driveways, sidewalks and storm drains; breaks up concrete and/or asphalt surfaces; digs, shovels, hauls and loads and unloads soils, sands, asphalt mixes and other materials.
• Assists with installation, repair and maintenance of water distribution system.
• Assists with routine maintenance of parks, grounds and recreation areas, including watering, weeding, planting, ball field marking and trash pick-up.
• Operates hand, power and heavy equipment related to maintenance; may perform routine maintenance on equipment; cleans up work sites upon completion of jobs.
• Assists with traffic sign repairs and replacement, traffic striping and legend painting; provides maintenance and refurbishment barricades; assists with sewer maintenance operations.
• Sets out cones, signs, barricades and flags at work sites for safety purposes and to secure from traffic.
• Completes log of work performed; may prepare records to note facility conditions and equipment use.

Training and Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. A typical way of obtaining the knowledge and abilities would be any combination of graduation from high school or equivalent and six (6) months of experience in maintenance work using a variety of tools. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California Class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: methods, materials and equipment used in general maintenance work; safety regulations related to maintenance work.

Ability to: use hand tools appropriately; operate mechanical and power equipment; make minor repairs to fixtures and equipment; work safely and independently; understand and follow oral and written directions; organize various work tasks; generate and maintain accurate work records; perform physically demanding work; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with supervisors, other employees and the public.

California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System

An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis to the City of South Gate. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, bend, crouch, talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds and is subject to vibration. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is sometimes noisy. Work requires regular exposure to traffic, fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals. Incumbents are occasionally exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of South Gate is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability (mental or physical), medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, or pregnancy), sexual orientation (including homosexuality, bisexuality, or heterosexuality), or military or veteran status in its employment actions, policies, procedures, or practices.

The City of South Gate

The City of South Gate is a busy urban community consisting of residential, commercial, and industrial development, spread over 7.41 square miles. It is currently ranked the 79th largest city in California with a population of approximately 97,000. Strategically located along the 710 freeway, the City is just 12 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.