Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I/II

Valley-Water; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

Valley Water in San Jose, CA, seeks a Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I/II to perform preventive maintenance and repair on pumps, valves, gauges, and related equipment at one of its water treatment facilities. The role involves reading plans, estimating materials, and coordinating with operations staff.

Technicians will work at a Valley Water plant in Santa Clara County, with the potential for on-call weekend rotation after 1-2 years, and may advance to II with more complex duties and

Qualifications

• Experience with maintenance of mechanical equipment in water treatment or similar facilities.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, drawings and specifications.
• Ability to diagnose mechanical problems and estimate labor and materials.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventive maintenance on treatment plant and pipeline facilities (pumps, valves, gauges, chemical feeds).
• Read plans and estimates labor/materials for proposed work; document and report results.
• Diagnose operational problems and recommend corrective actions; maintain records in CMMS.

Skills

Mechanical maintenance

Read & interpret plans

Diagnose mechanical problems

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

D-1 or D-2 license within 18-24 months

Job description

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I: $102,024.00 - $130,540.80 Annually

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician II: $112,569.60 - $144,019.20 Annually

Overview

The Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I/II will perform maintenance and repair functions on industrial equipment used in water treatment, recycled water, water purification plants, pumping stations, and hydroelectric plants. This position will also work on related mechanical equipment components used for water treatment, storage, distribution, and flood control. They will be required to perform maintenance and repair duties on water conduits and equipment. As well as perform a variety of tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility. This position will be assigned to work at one of Valley Water’s three water treatment plants in Santa Clara County and can be assigned to work rotating on-call weekends after approximately 1-2 years.

Our Commitment

We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water

Valley Water’s mission is to provide Santa Clara County with safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy. The FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget of $1.284 billion supports approximately 876 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

Who We Are

To learn how Valley Water provides safe, clean water and environmental stewardship for the Santa Clara community, please click here

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Perform preventive maintenance on treatment plant and pipeline facilities through methods such as fluid and filter changes; confer with operations staff to solve problems and determine needs; maintain water conduits and equipment including vacuum breakers, air releases, and water valves; perform confined space related duties.
• Read and interpret plans and specifications; estimate labor and materials for proposed work, perform work in accordance with these documents; make preliminary sketches of work to be performed or completed; locate, examine, clarify, identify, record and mark locations of creeks, pipelines, telemetry, test cables, and underground cables.
• Diagnose mechanical problems; recommend preventative and corrective repair; make estimates of labor, materials, and supplies required to complete assigned work; request required materials. Diagnose and repair meter pumps, calibrators, flocculation, and filtration methods through vibration analysis and temperature reading and other inspection techniques; confer with operations and engineering staff to solve problems and determine needs.
• Operate a variety of hand tools and power equipment including welding equipment, lathes, drill presses, sanders, trucks, forklifts, boom lift, scissor lifts, and overhead cranes.
• Maintain records of work performed; enter and retrieve data from a Computerized Maintenance system (CMMS); ensure proper completion of reports including confined entry documentation.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

Level I - One (1) years of experience with the maintenance of mechanical equipment and components.

Level II - One (1) year of post-apprenticeship experience in the maintenance of mechanical equipment and components. In lieu of completing an apprenticeship, a candidate should possess four (4) years of journey-level experience in the maintenance of mechanical equipment and components.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I:

• Learn the methods and techniques involved in the maintenance and repair of water treatment and distribution and systems including pumps, valves, gauges, and chemical feeds.
• Learn to operate a variety of mechanical maintenance equipment.
• Learn to read, interpret, and work from plans, drawings, and specifications.
• Learn to estimate small mechanical jobs.
• Learn occupational hazards and standard safety practices including Cal OSHA practices.
• Learn procedures to maintain records of work performed.
• Learn to diagnose operational problems in mechanical equipment and recommend corrective action.
• Learn to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician II:

In addition to the qualifications for a Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I:

• Operate a variety of mechanical maintenance equipment.
• Read, interpret, and work from plans, drawings, and specifications.
• Procedures to maintain records of work performed.
• Diagnose operational problems in mechanical equipment and recommend corrective action.
• Perform the most complex maintenance and repair functions on District water treatment and distribution systems.
• Perform mechanical maintenance on pipelines, equipment in pumping stations, hydroelectric plants, and water treatment plants.
• Estimate labor and materials required to correct mechanical problems.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Use common desktop applications and software.

Ideal Knowledge:

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I:

• Operations, services, and activities of a mechanical maintenance program.
• Operational characteristics of mechanical maintenance equipment and tools.
• Operational methods and techniques associated with water treatment process.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices including Cal OSHA practices.
• Mathematical principles.
• Common desktop applications and software.

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician II:

In addition to the qualifications for a Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I:

• Methods and techniques involved in the maintenance and repair of water treatment and distribution and systems including pumps, valves, gauges, and chemical feeds.
• Operations, services, and activities of a mechanical maintenance program.
• Operational characteristics of mechanical maintenance equipment and tools.
• Operational methods and techniques associated with water treatment process.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices including Cal OSHA practices.

Ideal Training and Education:

Must have equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I:

Possession of a D-1 Water Distribution Operator certification issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Department of Drinking Water (DDW) within 18 months of appointment.

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician II:

Possession of a D-2 Water Distribution Operator certification issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Department of Drinking Water (DDW) within 24 months of appointment.

To review the Classification Specification, please click here

Treatment Plant Maintenance Unit (Position Code 795)

Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San José, California by their start date.

This position requires the individual to be onsite and is typically not a teleworking position.

1. (1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
2. (2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.

Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.

Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.