Protective Coating Worker

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is hiring a Protective Coating Worker to prepare surfaces and apply cement mortar or protective coatings to pipes, fittings, joints, and structures. The role requires vigilance in safety and equipment handling, with opportunities to work on varied infrastructure projects.

Salary is set at $117,763 annually (flat-rated); candidates should have relevant coating experience and be able to operate maintenance tools and scaffolding.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of cement, mortar, and protective coatings for metal, concrete, and surfaces.
• Familiarity with safety rules and CAL-OSHA practices in coating applications.
• Must have or be able to obtain a California driver’s license.
• Must be able to obtain medical clearance to wear respirators.

Responsibilities

• Prepare surfaces and apply cement mortar or protective coating to pipes and structures.
• Operate and maintain coating equipment (pumps, spray guns, sandblasters).
• Inspect coatings and perform repairs as needed; assist with scaffolding setup.

Skills

Understand & follow instructions

Use tools safely

Work in trenches & scaffolding

Tools

Pumps

Blowers

Spray guns

Sandblasters

Job description

Protective Coating Worker

A Protective Coating Worker prepares surfaces and applies cement mortar or other protective coating or lining material to pipes, fittings, joints, and structures.

Annual Salary: $117,763 (Flat-rated)

Duties

Summary of Duties:

A Protective Coating Worker prepares surfaces and applies cement mortar or other protective coating or lining material to pipes, fittings, joints, and structures, and does related work.

Examples of Duties

• Wire brushes, scrapes, sandblasts, and cleans metal surfaces to remove scale, rust, and corrosion prior to the application of protective coating;


• Heats asphalt protective coating to required temperature in a kettle or with a torch; applies hot protective coating to prepared surfaces with a hand dauber, brush, or by pouring or wrapping;


• Daubs, brushes, or sprays primers, asphalt emulsions, paints, sealers, and epoxy's to pipes, fittings, joints, sheet metal installations, concrete bases, and walls and floors of concrete vaults;


• Proportions and mixes cement and sand to proper consistency and applies it by hand, using trowels and other cement finishing tools, to internal and external surfaces of metal fittings, nipples, elbows, and structures; covers exposed joints of cement-coated pipes with cement;


• Fastens reinforcing wire mesh around pipes to hold cement in place;


• Cleans, adjusts, and makes minor repairs to pumps, blowers, spray guns, sandblasters, and other equipment;


• Assists in erecting scaffolding and staging for use in applying protective coating;


• Crawls through pipe to inspect, apply, and repair protective coating;


• Employs electric spark tester to test protective coating; and


• May occasionally be assigned to other duties for training purposes or to meet technological changes or unexpected emergencies.

Knowledge

• Methods, tools, and equipment used in the preparation and application of cement, mortar, hot asphalt, coal tar enamel, tape and other protective coatings to metal, concrete, and other surfaces;


• Proper mixtures and temperatures of coatings for application;


• Department of Water and Power safety rules, and general safety principles and practices related to the application of protective coatings.

Ability

• Understand and follow oral instructions;


• Use the tools and materials common to protective coating work effectively and safety;


• Perform such work in trenches, vaults, and from scaffolding.

Requirements

• Current employment with the City of Los Angeles;


• Six months of full-time paid experience with the City of Los Angeles applying multi-part epoxies and cement mortar coatings and linings on and in steel pipe.


• Three months of full-time paid experience in applying protective coatings to metal surfaces.

License

A valid California driver's license may be required prior to appointment.

Physical Requirements

Strength to perform average lifting of up to 25 pounds and occasionally over 50 pounds; body agility and equilibrium involved in activities such as climbing and balancing under precarious conditions; back and leg coordination involved in activities such as stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling to an unusual extent; arm, hand, and finger dexterity with both hands involved in activities such as reaching, handling, and feeling; good hearing ability; and good eyesight.

Employment Conditions

• Must be able to obtain medical clearance to wear respirators;


• Required personal protective equipment includes respirators, fall protection harnesses, and other safety items per CAL-OSHA;


• Valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles is required; applicants may be disqualified if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations or a major conviction such as DUI or DWI within the last 36 months.

Benefits

If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position.

Division of Non-Discrimination

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by Thursday, February 26, 2026.