Maintenance Worker I/II

Thewaternetwork; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 45,694 - 71,263; Full time

Job summary

Thewaternetwork is seeking dedicated Maintenance Workers I/II in Escondido to maintain the facilities and aqueduct system. Ideal candidates will have hands-on experience in maintenance or construction, familiarity with basic tools, and a strong work ethic. This role includes operating vehicles, conducting repairs, and ensuring a clean environment. The salary ranges from $33.17 to $51.73 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. A California driver's license and potential certification are required. Work hours are in a 4/10 schedule from Monday to Thursday.

Qualifications

• Experience in utility or public works‑related maintenance and/or construction work.
• Possession of a State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate D‑1 is desirable for Maintenance Worker I.
• Possession of a State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate D-1 is required for Maintenance Worker II.

Responsibilities

• Perform unskilled and semi-skilled work in aqueduct pipeline construction, installation, and maintenance.
• Drive vehicles to job sites while ensuring safety.
• Maintain various facilities in a clean and safe condition.
• Operate maintenance vehicles and construction equipment.
• Assist in maintaining, repairing, and altering buildings and facilities.

Skills

Hands-on maintenance experience

Use of basic hand and power tools

Communication skills

Teamwork

Curiosity and willingness to learn

Education

Completion of the twelfth grade

California Water Distribution Operator Certificate D-1

Tools

Heavy and light construction equipment

Vehicles (dump trucks, pickup trucks)

Job description

JOIN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY! We welcome veteran or transitioning military to apply.

The San Diego County Water Authority is an independent public agency that serves as San Diego County's regional water wholesaler. The mission of the Water Authority is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to its 22 member agencies serving the region's $268 billion economy and 3.3 million residents.

The Water Authority is executing a long‑term strategy to diversify the region's supplies, make major investments in the region's water delivery and storage system, and improve water use efficiency. Through dynamic leadership, thoughtful planning, and prudent fiscal policies, the Water Authority is cost‑effectively managing the region's water portfolio, while continuing to diversify supplies to enhance current and future reliability.

Operations & Maintenance Department

The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Department is responsible for operating the Water Authority's aqueduct delivery system; ensuring facility security and emergency preparedness; and maintaining and managing the fleet and various other assets. Specifically, the department controls water deliveries to meet member agency demands; manages dam and reservoir operations; ensures water quality; oversees water treatment plant and power generation operations; maintains all vehicles and heavy equipment; provides electro‑mechanical support; implements the Asset Management Program (AMP); complies with all applicable environmental regulations; and develops and manages computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and system maintenance programs.

Facilities Maintenance Division

The Facilities/Maintenance division is responsible for repair and construction activities on the aqueduct system. In addition, the division performs maintenance activities focused on the aqueducts' facilities, buildings, property grounds and access roads.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys hands‑on, physically active work and takes pride in keeping facilities, equipment, and outdoor spaces safe, clean, and functional. Maintenance‑related experience in areas such as construction trades, landscaping, warehouse, military, or facilities work translates well to this role in the water industry, and this position offers an excellent opportunity to build new skills and grow within the field. If you are reliable, safety‑minded, and eager to learn, we will teach you the rest.

You may have experience using basic hand tools, power tools, or equipment in settings such as general construction trades, particularly: framing, drywall, layout, concrete and form setting, asphalt, painting, plumbing, groundskeeping, facilities maintenance, or similar work environments. You’re comfortable working outdoors in all weather, following safety procedures, and contributing to a team that depends on each other to get the job done.

This candidate is motivated to build new skills—whether learning to operate equipment like loaders, mowers, or small excavators; assisting with concrete, carpentry, or mechanical repairs; or helping maintain roads, buildings, and rights‑of‑way. Curiosity, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to ask questions are just as important as technical experience.

The ideal candidate values teamwork, communicates clearly, and can follow instructions with increasing independence as they grow in the role. They understand the importance of the Water Authority’s mission and are ready to support after‑hours emergency response when needed—helping ensure the region’s water delivery system remains safe and reliable.

If you’re looking for a career where you can learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact on essential public infrastructure, we encourage you to apply.

Position

Salary Information

Maintenance Worker I: $33.17 - $44.61 / hour ($68,993.60- $92,786.72 Annual)

Maintenance Worker II: $38.47 - $51.73 / hour ($80,011.36- $107,604.64 Annual)

The position may be filled at either level, depending on candidate qualifications.

Role Overview

The Maintenance Worker I/II (Facilities Maintenance) plays a vital role in keeping the San Diego County Water Authority’s aqueduct system, facilities, and properties in top working condition. This position is responsible for a wide range of hands‑on tasks, including construction, installation, repair, and preventive maintenance of pipelines, equipment, buildings, and grounds.

Using both heavy and light construction equipment, vehicles, and tools, Maintenance Workers support the upkeep of pump stations, flow control facilities, reservoirs, rights‑of‑way, access roads, and other critical infrastructure. Work includes activities such as grading roads, repairing drainage systems, performing concrete and carpentry work, welding, vegetation management, and maintaining HVAC and plumbing systems.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Maintenance Worker I is the entry‑level unskilled laboring class in the Maintenance series. Initially under direct supervision, incumbents learn and perform a variety of unskilled and semi‑skilled tasks and duties involved in the construction, installation, maintenance and repair of the Water Authority's aqueduct pipeline system and related facilities and equipment. This class is alternately staffed with Maintenance Worker II, and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency that meet the qualifications for the higher‑level class.

Maintenance Worker II is the semi‑skilled class in this series. Under general supervision, incumbents perform the full range of assigned duties, requiring sound judgment with regard to appropriate and safe procedures and practices. Employees are frequently required to work without direct supervision, following instructions and established guidelines and procedures to complete assignments. Incumbents are rotated through the division's several sections in order to learn all of the various assignments and tasks performed by the division. This class differs from Maintenance Worker I in the skill level required and the incumbents' knowledge of the Water Authority's systems, equipment, facilities, standards and procedures. The Maintenance Worker II class is alternately staffed with the Maintenance Technician class, which is the skilled, journey‑level class in the Maintenance Worker/Maintenance Technician series. Incumbents in the Maintenance Worker II class may advance to the Maintenance Technician class after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency that meet the qualifications for the higher level class.

Representative Duties

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.

• Performs unskilled and semi‑skilled work in the construction, installation, repair and maintenance of the aqueduct pipeline and related equipment and facilities.
• Drives vehicles to work sites and sets up and removes barricades to protect crews from street traffic; directs traffic in roadways to protect crews; loads dump trucks and pickup trucks and hauls debris and material to dump sites.
• Installs, maintains and repairs fences, gates, culverts, drains and pipes, sprinkler systems and erosion control installations; posts signs along Authority property and rights‑of‑way; installs and repairs window bars and locks on gates and doors.
• Sprays, cuts, disks and removes trees, brush, weeds, rubbish and other materials which may pose fire or water pollution hazards from Authority‑owned property and rights‑of‑way.
• Maintains meter and valve stations, shops, restrooms, offices and other facilities in a clean and safe condition.
• Works in vaults and other confined spaces, utilizing proper safety techniques and equipment in accordance with Authority and departmental safety policies and procedures.
• Operates light‑ and medium‑duty motorized vehicles and equipment, such as dump trucks, pickup trucks, skip loaders, backhoes, mowers, sprayers, weed eaters and a variety of other hand, hydraulic and power tools and equipment; checks condition of equipment; cleans and maintains tools and equipment used in the field and shops; fuels vehicles; inspects and performs safety checks on vehicles and equipment; cleans vehicles and equipment; reports the need for vehicle and equipment repairs.
• Paints piping, curbs, walks, gates, building interiors and exteriors, and other equipment and facilities; assists in maintaining, repairing and making alterations to buildings, facilities and equipment.
• Inspects, cleans, grades, maintains and repairs aqueduct system access and service roads; patches, repairs and resurfaces asphalt roads and lots.

Working Hours and Schedule: Employees assigned to work at the Escondido office work a 4/10 schedule, Monday – Thursday, during normal business hours. Normal business hours are 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Qualification Guidelines

The qualification guidelines generally describe the knowledge and ability required to enter the job in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered. A strong construction background is desired.

Maintenance Worker I

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by one year of experience in utility or public works‑related maintenance and/or construction work. Possession of a State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate D‑1 is desirable.

Maintenance Worker II

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by one year of experience equivalent to the Maintenance Worker I position. Possession of a State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate D-1 is required.

Licenses and Other Requirements

• Driver's License & Insurability: A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Water Authority's Vehicle Insurance Policy.
• Mandatory Physical & Drug Test: The applicants selected will be given a contingent offer of employment pending the outcome of a post‑offer physical and drug test.
• 24‑Hour Call Out: Employees in this classification are subject to 24‑hour call out.