Plant Technician III

The City of San Diego; California (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of San Diego is hiring a Plant Technician III to lead a crew and perform skilled repair, maintenance, overhaul, and installation of water and wastewater treatment plant equipment, including pumps, valves, piping, compressors, boilers, and chemical feed systems.

You will oversee work orders, train staff, and ensure safety in confined spaces and chlorine environments. Some shifts may be on-call with 5% additional pay, and overtime may be required.

Qualifications

• Three years of full-time experience maintaining, overhauling, repairing, and installing mechanical equipment at a water or wastewater facility, major pump station, or similar industrial plant.
• Qualifying experience MUST include working on pumps, valves, and piping systems.
• Preventive maintenance alone is not qualifying.

Responsibilities

• Lead a crew in skilled repair, maintenance, overhaul, and installation of plant equipment.
• Manage work orders and procure repair supplies from vendors.
• Provide training and guidance on safety and maintenance procedures.

Job description

JOB INFORMATION

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities. Plant Technicians III positions lead the work of an assigned crew; perform skilled repair, maintenance, overhaul, and installation of water and wastewater treatment plant and pump station machinery and equipment including: Air compressors, high pressure hydraulic systems, pumps and piping systems, chemical feed equipment (including but not limited to sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, ferrous and ferric chloride), boilers, heat exchangers, and diesel and gasoline powered engines; install and align heavy motors and equipment; provide training and lead group work in repair activities; manage work orders in computer system; maintain records; complete forms and reports; procure water and wastewater system repair supplies, materials or equipment from various vendors; and perform other duties as assigned.

Notes

• Employees in job classifications represented by AFSCME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• Plant Technician III employees may be required to work on an on-call basis, for which they may receive 5% additional pay.
• Eligible benefited employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Plant Technician III employees must remain clean-shaven and be able to pass a respirator fit-test for entry into confined spaces and chlorine environments.
• Plant Technician III employees will be required to obtain and maintain confined space entry certification within six months from the date of hire.
• Plant Technician III employees may be required to work overtime, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Work involves exposure to noxious chemicals and other hazardous substances.
• Plant Technician III positions may also require work in a sewage or chlorine environment, in high places, tanks or channels, and confined spaces.

EXPERIENCE

Three years of full-time experience maintaining, overhauling, repairing, and installing mechanical equipment at a water treatment facility, wastewater facility, major pump station, or industrial processing facility employing similar technology. Qualifying experience MUST include working on pumps, valves, and piping systems.

Notes

• Preventive maintenance work alone is NOT qualifying (e.g., changing oil, lubricating, or removing and replacing parts).
• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver's License is required at the time of hire.

Notes

• Some positions may require a valid California Class B Driver's License by the end of the probationary period.
• Plant Technician III employees who operate commercial vehicles are required by California State Law, as a condition of employment, to submit to drug and alcohol testing.
• Before you are hired, a background check will be conducted through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and with former employers to verify drug and alcohol testing results.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

• Experience in maintaining, overhauling, repairing, and/or installing dewatering centrifuges, compressors, gear drive units/speed reducers, chemical feeders, and small gasoline/diesel engines and blowers.
• Experience and training in Predictive Maintenance Technologies.
• Experience and training with computer programs/software.
• Possession of a valid California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Plant Maintenance Mechanical Technology Grade II or higher certification.