PLANT MAINTENANCE WORKER

City of Stockton; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Stockton is seeking a Plant Maintenance Worker in the Municipal Utilities Department. This entry-level role involves learning and performing maintenance, basic repairs, and general labor at wastewater or treatment plant facilities.

You will work a 9/80 schedule with specific hours and must be prepared for medical evaluation and background checks.

Qualifications

• Possession of a high school diploma or GED and six months of work experience as a laborer in construction or maintenance work.

Responsibilities

• Perform unskilled to semi-skilled maintenance tasks in water distribution and treatment systems.
• Operate trucks and a variety of hand and power tools and equipment.
• Maintain records reflecting pump station and equipment operation and work performed by private contractors.
• Cleans vehicles and equipment; performs routine inspection and basic maintenance.
• Maintain grounds and buildings including landscaping and raking trash.
• Assist operations and maintenance personnel by carrying materials and tools.
• Possess strong safety practices and adhere to regulations.

Skills

Heavy physical labor

Independent judgment

Oral and written communication

Reading and comprehension in English

Office software basics

Education

High school diploma or GED plus 6 months maintenance/labor experience

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Job description

OPEN/PROMOTIONAL RECRUITMENT

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Tentative Examination Date: Week of September 20, 2026 (Candidates must appear in person for the examination.)

The City of Stockton is seeking to fill a Plant Maintenance Worker positions in the Municipal Utilities Department. Incumbents perform a variety of mechanical installation, repair, maintenance, and modification work at either the wastewater or treatment plant and related pumping station facilities; and performs related work as assigned. Incumbents will work a 9/80 schedule: Monday - Thursday 7:00am-4:30pm and Fridays 7:00am-3:30pm with alternating Fridays off.

Incumbents in this position are included in the Civil Service System in a "for cause" employment status, and are represented by the Operations and Maintenance Bargaining Unit.

This recruitment is being conducted as an Open/Promotional recruitment. Current full-time regular status at time of application City of Stockton employees may apply for this position as a promotional opportunity and successful candidates will be placed on a promotional list. All other candidates may apply for this position as an open competitive opportunity and successful candidates will be placed on an open list. The appointing authority will have the option of requesting names from the promotional list or a combination of both.

Prior to appointment, eligible candidates may be required to pass a medical evaluation exam and submit to and successfully pass a background investigation, which will include fingerprinting.

Plant Maintenance Worker is a single position entry-level classification in the Municipal Utilities Department. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform a variety of maintenance and general labor. This class is distinguished from the Plant Maintenance Mechanic in that the later is a journey-level classification fully competent to perform a wide range of mechanical maintenance duties at the treatment plant and related facilities.

Under general supervision, performs a variety of unskilled or semi-skilled tasks in the operations and maintenance of water distribution and treatment systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems; operates trucks, and a variety of hand and power tools and equipment; performs related work as assigned.

• Cleans vehicles, heavy equipment, bar-screens, comminutors, weirs, drying beds, digesters, pumps, tools, and other stationary and portable equipment;
• Performs routine inspection of vehicles and equipment; performs minor maintenance and lubrication of machinery such as changing oil and greasing equipment;
• Maintains grounds and buildings; cuts grass, weeds and brush; trims trees and bushes; rakes grass, leaves and trash; seeds and cares for lawns and ornamental plantings;
• Operates and maintains vehicles, equipment and tools required to load, unload, haul, and spread sand, gravel, dirt and/or waste products (sludge, product waste, packaging waste, etc.); digs and refills ditches and trenches;
• Carries or holds materials, supplies, and tools to assist operations and maintenance personnel;
• Maintains records to accurately reflect pump station and equipment operation, operational data, and work performed by private contractors.

Education/Experience

Possession of a high school diploma or GED and six months of work experience as a laborer in construction or maintenance work.

Other Requirements

Licenses and Certifications

• Must possess a valid California driver’s license.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid California Boater Card within the first 90 days of employment as a required condition of continued employment with the City of Stockton.
• Must obtain and maintain valid First Aid and CPR certifications within the first 90 days of employment as a required condition of continued employment with the City of Stockton.
• In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all City of Stockton employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.

Knowledge of:

• Techniques, materials, tools and equipment used in plant maintenance;
• Operation and maintenance of a wide variety of hand and power tools and equipment common to the field; Safe work methods and safety regulations pertaining to the work;
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment including relevant software programs;
• Oral and written communication skills; business English including vocabulary, spelling, and correct grammatical usage and punctuation;
• Safe work practices; and
• Principles and practices of excellent customer service.

Skill in:

• Operating and maintaining a variety of hand and power tools and equipment used in the work;
• Performing heavy physical labor;
• Exercising independent judgment and initiative without close supervision;
• Understanding and carrying out oral and written instructions and prioritize workload to meet deadlines;
• Reading, writing and comprehending the English language at a level necessary for effective job performance exercising correct English usage, vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation;
• Communicating effectively, tactfully and positively in both oral and written form;
• Operating and using modern office equipment and technology, including computers and applicable software;
• Utilizing appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties;
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; and
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishments of City goals, objectives and activities.