Operations & Maintenance Technician III - Coater

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Excellent medical/dental plans

401(k) & 457 plans

Job summary

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, based in Los Angeles, seeks an Operations & Maintenance Technician III (Coater) to protect and maintain critical water infrastructure. You will perform advanced surface preparation and apply protective coatings across metals, concrete, wood, and composites, ensuring long-lasting reliability of treatment plants and distribution systems.

Responsibilities include coordinating coating activities, operating HVLP and electrostatic systems, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED plus 3 years experience in coating techniques and practices.
• Experience demonstrating practical application of coating/finishing techniques.
• Skills in surface preparation, coating methods, tool use and light equipment operation.

Responsibilities

• Protect utility assets with surface preparation and coating maintenance to shield structures from corrosion and wear.
• Prepare surfaces using hand/power tools and sandblasting for proper coating adhesion.
• Operate coating equipment including HVLP, airless, electrostatic, and powder systems.
• Mix traditional and advanced coating materials such as paints and epoxies.
• Maintain and service sandblasters, sprayers, air monitors, and related equipment.
• Support plant operations during shutdowns, inspections, or repairs.
• Maintain safety equipment and monitor regulatory chemical usage per AQMD rules.

Skills

Surface preparation

Coating application

Tool use

Light equipment operation

Regulatory compliance

Education

High school diploma or GED

3 years coating experience

Tools

HVLP

Airless spray

Electrostatic spray

Powder coating systems

Injection pumps

Job description

At the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we deliver reliable water to a region with 19 million people—and to accomplish this, we rely on a team of talented employees: innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who make it all possible.

This recruitment will be used to build an Eligibility List*. There are currently two (2) positions open for Operations & Maintenance Technician III at our Soto Street Facility (2100 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, California 90032); and one (1) position open for Operations & Maintenance Technician III at our F E Weymouth Filtration Plant – (700 North Moreno Avenue, La Verne, California 91750).

As an O&M Tech III Coater, you will apply advanced industrial coating expertise to protect and maintain Metropolitan's critical infrastructure. By executing high‑quality surface preparation and applying advanced protective coatings across a variety of substrates—including metals, concrete, wood, and composites—you will directly safeguard infrastructure prone to corrosion and wear. This essential position supports our operational core, ensuring long‑term water and power reliability throughout our treatment plants, conveyance facilities, and distribution systems.

What You’ll Do

• Protect Utility Assets: Perform general and advanced surface preparation and coating maintenance to shield water utility structures, equipment, and facilities from corrosion and wear.
• Prepare Surfaces: Treat a variety of materials in shop and field environments using hand tools, power tools, and sandblasting equipment to ensure proper coating adhesion.
• Apply Advanced Coatings: Operate specialized application equipment including HVLP, airless, electrostatic, powder coating systems, and injection pumps.
• Mix Materials: Prepare and mix traditional and advanced coating materials such as paints, epoxies, sealants, plastics, and polymers.
• Maintain Gear & Equipment: Perform PM, CM, and improvements on sandblasters, sprayers, air monitors, and other preparation and coating equipment.
• Support Facility Operations: Perform general mechanical work required during the shutdown, inspection, or repair of aqueducts, pipelines, and treatment plants.
• Maintain Safety Equipment: Calibrate, test, and maintain supplied air breathing apparatus alongside air and gas monitoring equipment.
• Ensure Compliance: Complete accurate and timely regulatory chemical usage records in accordance with AQMD requirements.

This job announcement has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification / job.

Employment Standards Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED in addition to a minimum of 3 years experience as demonstrated by practical application of techniques and practices specific to coating.

OR

High school diploma or GED and attainment of skills through a recognized coating trade training program and/or applicable related experience within an industrial environment. Experience and knowledge as demonstrated by practical application of techniques and practices specific to the coating/finishing trade. Skills necessary include surface preparation, coating methods and application techniques, tool use and light equipment operation. Also requires skills in preventive and corrective maintenance practices related to coating/finishing generally obtained through applicable training and experience.

Relevant Experience is defined as:

Experience in an environment that requires use of surface preparation and coating application tools and power tools associated with industrial coating applications.

Certifications, Licenses, And Registration Requirements

Valid Drivers license from state of residency equivalent to a California Class A, B, and/or C with appropriate commercial license endorsements.

• Manlift Certification
• Forklift Certification
• Respirator certification
• Crane Certification

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Excellent medical, dental, life, vision plans.
• Deferred compensation in the form of a 401(k) plan (with matching contribution) and a 457 plan.
• Retirement benefits under the California Public Employees' Retirement System
• Tuition reimbursement
• Training and advancement opportunities
• Excellent working environment

For more information on MWD benefits, please use the following link: Benefits Regular FT PT Employees (Represented)

About Mwd

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state‑established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource‑management programs.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities, who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process, please call (213) 217‑7738 or email: [e-mail].

Metropolitan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic(s).

Application Filing Period: Closes at 4:30 pm PST on the date stated in the job announcement. However it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended.

Eligibility List*: An eligibility list is a list of qualified candidates created when a job posting states that one will be established.

Qualifying Experience: Your resume must at a minimum include the month and year you began and ended employment, name of the organization, your title, and a brief description of your experience. If your employment was part-time, make sure you identify it on your resume next to the month/year.

Sponsorship: Applicants for employment with The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States (i.e., H1‑B or other employment‑based immigration case).