Plant Systems Technician I/II

City of Escondido; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Escondido invites applications for Plant Systems Technician I/II in the Utilities Department/Wastewater Division. The positions involve maintenance and repairs at water and wastewater facilities, with progression from Technician I to II based on experience, licenses, and performance.

Technicians perform preventive and corrective maintenance, assist with parts procurement, and may lead small crews.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of water and wastewater plant operations and pumping stations.
• Mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical repair principles.
• Fabrication and welding of parts and equipment.
• Safety and confined-space procedures.
• Record-keeping basics and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on water and wastewater plant equipment.
• Repair, rebuild, fabricate parts; weld and align equipment.
• Maintain records and assist with ordering replacement parts.
• Operate vehicles and various power tools; work in confined spaces.
• May serve as crew lead on small projects and assist training new staff.
• Provide after-hours emergency maintenance as needed.

Skills

Water treatment

Wastewater systems

Preventive maintenance

Mechanical repair

Confined spaces

Education

High school diploma; mechanical training

Grade 2 Plant Maintenance Mechanical Technologist certificate

Welder/millwright cert desirable

Job description

Plant Systems Technician I: $6,328 - $8,480 per month
Plant Systems Technician II: $7,159 - $9,594 per month

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Plant Systems Technician I/II in our Utilities Department/Wastewater Division. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.

Under general supervision (Plant Systems Technician I) or direction (Plant Systems Technician II), performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled duties involved in the maintenance and repair of the City’s water and/or wastewater treatment plants and allied facilities; performs highly skilled tasks involved in the repair or fabrication of equipment parts at a water and/or wastewater treatment plants and allied facilities; and participates in the mechanical repair of equipment used in the water and wastewater systems.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Plant Systems Technician I

This is the entry-level class in the Plant Systems Technician series. This class is distinguished from the Plant Systems Technician II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. Assignments are generally limited in scope, contain fairly routine tasks, and are performed within a procedural framework established by higher-level employees. As experience is acquired, incumbents perform with less immediate supervision and continue to learn the full scope of duties and responsibilities. Advancement to the “II” level is based on demonstrated proficiency in performing the assigned functions, possession of required licenses and certifications, completing the progression criteria established by the Department, and upon review and approval of the department head.

Plant Systems Technician II

This is the full journey-level class in the Plant Systems Technician series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Plant Systems Technician I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including serving as lead worker on small crews as assigned. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by progression from the Plant Systems Technician I level when experience and required licenses and certifications are obtained and progression criteria met, or when filled from the outside, require prior directly related experience and possession of required licenses and certifications.

Performs preventative and corrective maintenance on equipment at the water and wastewater treatment plants, pump/lift stations, and other allied facilities; troubleshoots, maintains, repairs, rebuilds, and replaces valves, pumps, compressors, blowers, centrifuges, grinders, mixers, geardrives, generators, piping, mechanical aspects of electric motors and mechanically maintains all manner of equipment throughout the plants, collection, and distribution systems.

Repairs, rebuilds, measures, and/or fabricates parts and/or equipment; designs and welds equipment; repairs parts using welding techniques including utilizing gas and/or arc welding equipment to heat, cut, braze, or weld.

Evaluates precision parts to verify OEM tolerances to provide information to machine shops to perform repair or fabrication.

Assists in regular inspections for and performs preventive maintenance adjustments; services and lubricates equipment.

Performs a full range of general maintenance duties including to clean, paint, and maintain pump stations, pump housing, vaults, and related equipment and properties.

Operates a variety of vehicles, equipment, and hand and power tools including, but not limited to, compressors, forklifts, commercial vehicles, cranes, drill presses, welding equipment, and hand and power tools; cleans, maintains, and calibrates assigned equipment.

Performs work in confined spaces; performs necessary precautions prior to entering confined spaces with potential hazardous atmospheres; use air quality monitors and ventilators.

Maintains inventory and assists with ordering replacement parts and equipment for machinery in the plants and at the pump stations; researches and obtains prices on replacement equipment and repair parts; coordinates with suppliers/contracts in order to ensure correct sections of equipment ordered.

Maintains records of basic operations, maintenance and work performed.

Serves in emergency standby capacity; provides all aspects of plant and pump station maintenance and repair during after hours periods including holidays and weekends.

May serve as crew leader as assigned over a small crew including temporary workers and lower level employees; may meet with subcontracts to set up jobs; participates in training new employees in work practices and in how to apply policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations.

Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of

• Operational characteristics of water and wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations including associated mechanical and electrical equipment and devices.
• Basic theories and fundamentals of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical principles associated with the repair and operation of plant equipment and pumping stations.
• Materials, methods, techniques, and terminology used in maintenance and repair activities related to the maintenance and repair of water and wastewater plants and associated equipment.
• Methods, techniques, tools and equipment used to repair, rebuild and fabricate equipment.
• Welding principles, practices, tools, and equipment.
• Operational characteristics of maintenance and construction equipment and tools used in work activities.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices including those associated with working in confined spaces.
• Proper procedures used in the maintenance and repair of hand and power tools.
• Mathematical principles.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations.
• Basic principles and practices of record keeping.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to

• Perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled duties involved in the maintenance and repair of the City’s water and/or wastewater treatment plants and allied facilities.
• Read, explain, and follow blueprints, mechanical drawings, and oral and written instructions, particularly from maintenance and service manuals.
• Install, align, test, operate, and maintain mechanical equipment and machinery including pumps, valves, valve operators, piping, chemical feed equipment, and mechanical conveyance equipment.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Maintain records of time, material, and Work Order status using City Works Asset Management program.
• Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations.
• Perform mathematical calculations required to adjust and calibrate equipment.
• Respond to plant and pump station maintenance/repair emergencies.
• Use alignment instruments including laser, dial indicators, micrometers, calipers, and other related installation and repair tools and meters.
• Use electrical testers on circuits less than or equal to 48 volts DC.
• Test, maintain, and install lead acid batteries on engine driven equipment.
• Test, maintain, and install starting systems, charging systems, and ignition systems on engine driven equipment.
• Work in closely confined spaces while wearing a respirator.
• Safely drive and skillfully operate equipment and machinery including trucks, compressors, forklifts, cranes, drill presses, welding equipment, and hand and power tools.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Maintain good housekeeping practices.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Plant Systems Technician I/II

Education/Training

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training/coursework in mechanical repair.

Plant Systems Technician I

Experience

Two years (full-time equivalent) experience in maintenance of equipment and machinery including pumps, valves and valve operators, chemical feed equipment, or mechanical conveyance.

License or Certificate

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Plant Systems Technician II

Education/Training

Completion of progression criteria established by Department.

Experience

Two years (full-time equivalent) of responsible experience performing duties comparable to a Plant Systems Technician I in the City of Escondido or comparable experience in the maintenance of water/wastewater or equivalent industrial equipment and machinery performing repair, rebuilding, and fabrication of precision parts for pumps, motors, and other mechanical equipment. Experience must also include repair, installation, alignment and test operation of pumps, motors and other mechanical equipment.

License or Certificate

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Possession of a valid Grade 2 Plant Maintenance Mechanical Technologist certificate.

Journey level certification as a welder or millwright is desirable.

NOTE

For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.

All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify.

The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.

Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the U.S. armed forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Did not retire from military service
• Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.

ABOUT OUR CITY

City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.

EOE

The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.