MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN (Trainee, I/II/III)

Central Marin Sanitation Agency; San Rafael (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

CMSA in San Rafael, CA is seeking a Mechanical Technician Trainee to learn preventive, corrective, and unscheduled maintenance across vital wastewater equipment and facilities. You will support and advance through I/II/III levels, gaining hands-on experience with engines, pumps, boilers, valves, and control systems.

Under supervision, you will inspect and service a range of stationary and mobile equipment, perform welding tasks when certified, and leverage electronic devices to complete daily

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Willingness to obtain CWEA MT Grade I within 18 months of hire.
• Experience or aptitude in facilities maintenance and mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Inspects stationary and mobile mechanical equipment, buildings and appurtenances.
• Uses electronic devices (computers, tablets, phones) in daily work.
• Installs, repairs, replaces, and performs preventive maintenance on equipment.
• Troubleshoots problems and plans repairs with material and time estimates; performs emergency repairs.
• Repairs, overhauls, or replaces faulty parts and equipment.
• Cleans, services, and paints equipment, machinery, vehicles, and structures.

Skills

Preventive maintenance

Troubleshooting

Welding

Equipment inspection

Education

High school diploma or GED

CWEA Grade I/II/III Mechanical Technologist certification (optional)

Tools

Plasma welding equipment

Gas welding equipment

Arc welding equipment

Job description

JOB TITLE: MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN (Trainee, I/II/III)

AGENCY: Central Marin Sanitation Agency (CMSA)

LOCATION: San Rafael, CA

FILING DEADLINE: October 9, 2026

SALARY RANGE: $85,059.12 to $145,560.48 annually

THE OPPORTUNITY

Under supervision by the Maintenance Supervisor, Assistant Maintenance Supervisor, or a Lead Mechanical Technician, learns and performs preventive, corrective, and unscheduled maintenance; repairs and replaces a variety of equipment or components in various facilities on stationary and mobile equipment, found in water, wastewater, or similar industrial businesses; and performs related work as required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Inspects a variety of stationary and mobile mechanical equipment, buildings and grounds, and appurtenances
• Utilizes electronic devices such as computers, laptops, data tablets, and cellular phones in the performance of daily work activities
• Installs, repairs, replaces, and performs preventive maintenance on equipment.
• Troubleshoots equipment problems, and recommends time, equipment, and materials required to make repairs; performs emergency repairs as required.
• Repairs, overhauls, or replaces malfunctioning, damaged or worn parts, materials, and equipment.
• Cleans, services, and paints equipment, machinery, vehicles, structures, buildings, pipelines, storage tanks, and any additional items.
• Services, adjusts, and tunes a variety of equipment such as engines, motors, pumps, valves, control systems, boilers, heat exchangers, and chemical feed systems.
• Uses plasma, gas, and/or arc welding equipment to cut, heat, weld, or braze.
• Uses and performs maintenance on a variety of hand and power tools, and safety equipment, if certified to do so.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED). The Agency recognizes that there are various avenues for obtaining qualifying experience to meet Mechanical Technician eligibility requirements. An equivalent combination of experience may be substituted for California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Mechanical Technologist certification above the Grade I Mechanical Technologist certification level.
• Mechanical Technician Trainee - Some related work experience desirable
• Mechanical Technician I - Possession of a Grade I Mechanical Technologist (MT) certificate issued by CWEA at date of hire, OR ability to obtain a Grade I MT certificate within 18 months of hire, and a minimum of one year of facilities maintenance experience making repairs on a variety of mechanical equipment, structures, and appurtenances.
• Mechanical Technician II - EITHER possession of a Grade II Mechanical Technologist certificate issued by CWEA, OR a minimum of three years of facilities maintenance experience making repairs on a variety of mechanical equipment, structures, and appurtenances.
• Mechanical Technician III - EITHER possession of a Grade III Mechanical Technologist certificate issued by CWEA, OR a minimum of six years of facilities maintenance experience making repairs on a variety of mechanical equipment, structures, and appurtenances.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

CENTRAL MARIN SANITATION AGENCY

CMSA operates a wastewater facility in Marin County which treats and disposes wastewater as clean effluent into the San Francisco Bay, consistently meeting and exceeding federal and state regulatory requirements. We also beneficially use recycled water, reuse biosolids and biogas, and produce renewable power.