Maintenance Worker - Utility Operations

City of Ames, Iowa; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Ames, Iowa is recruiting for a Civil Service position in the Public Works Streets division. The Maintenance Worker performs manual labor, heavy maintenance, and construction tasks to support city infrastructure and utilities. Responsibilities include operating tools and equipment while prioritizing safety and teamwork.

Two years of maintenance experience and specific licenses are required. This full-time, non-exempt role offers steps with skill-based pay progression and residency in

Qualifications

• Basic proficiency in water distribution, wastewater collection, and GIS processes.
• Iowa DNR Grade I Water Distribution Operators License required.
• IAWEA Wastewater Collection System Operators Grade I Certification required.
• ESRI GIS Fundamentals Foundation (2024 or later) required.
• Class A CDL with Air Brake and Tanker Endorsements required.

Responsibilities

• Performs manual labor including heavy maintenance and construction work.
• Maintains infrastructure and utilities, operating tools, vehicles, and heavy equipment.
• Duties vary by division (Streets or Utility Maintenance) and emphasize safety, teamwork, and public service.

Skills

Water distribution

Wastewater collection

GIS processes

Education

Iowa DNR Grade I Water Distribution Operators License

IAWEA Wastewater Collection System Operators Grade I Certific tion

ESRI GIS Fundamentals Foundation (2024 or later)

Class A CDL with Air Brake and Tanker Endorsements

Job description

SALARY

$26.25 - $32.89 Hourly

$54,600.00 - $68,411.20 Annually

LOCATION

515 Clark Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, IA

JOB TYPE

Full-Time

JOB NUMBER

26-6112-01

DEPARTMENT

Public Works

DIVISION

Public Works Streets

OPENING DATE

10/02/2026

CLOSING DATE

10/26/2026 12:00 PM Central

FLSA

Non-Exempt

BARGAINING UNIT

FBC

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT?

Yes

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT AREAS

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/73570c0bc9664c46b5215dd829092db5

Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.

General Information

The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for this classification. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.

Performs manual labor including heavy maintenance and construction work involving semi-skilled tasks; performs related work as required supporting the construction, maintenance, and repair of City infrastructure and utilities. Employees operate tools, vehicles, and heavy equipment to maintain safe, functional, and efficient public facilities and systems. Duties vary by division assignment (Streets or Utility Maintenance for this recruitment) but share a commitment to safety, teamwork, and public service.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at: City of Ames Benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit: PSLF Program

Maintenance Worker Compensation

• Step A (Start) - $26.25/hr
• Step C (12 mos) -$26.95/hr
• Step E (24 mos) - $27.96/hr
• Step G (48 mos) - $32.98/hr
• Utility Maintenance Division - Skill-Based Pay Program: The Utility Maintenance Division participates in a Skill-Based Pay Program that provides advancement opportunities based on verified proficiency, certification, and experience.

Skill Block I - Maintenance Worker (Utility Maintenance Division)

Basic proficiency in water distribution, wastewater collection, and GIS processes.

Required Certifications

• Iowa DNR Grade I Water Distribution Operators License
• IAWEA Wastewater Collection System Operators Grade I Certific tion
• ESRI GIS Fundamentals Foundation (2024 or later)
• Class A CDL with Air Brake and Tanker Endorsements

Minimum of two years as a Maintenance Worker, including one year in the Utility Main