Public Works Specialist I/II

City of San Juan Capistrano; California (MO); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of San Juan Capistrano is seeking a dependable seasonal Public Works Specialist I/II to support storm drain maintenance and wet-weather operations. This part-time role involves cleaning storm drains, installing sandbags, and assisting in erosion control and flood‑control measures while working across City facilities, streets, parks, and rights‑of‑way.

Expect 25–35 hours per week through March/April 2027, with duties including inspection of drainage facilities, reporting needs, and

Qualifications

• Requires at least one year of experience in maintenance/repair of streets, sewers, storm drains, parks, landscapes, and buildings.
• Equivalent to graduation from high school or GED.

Responsibilities

• Perform storm drain and wet-weather maintenance, including cleaning inlets, basins, and channels.
• Assist with storm preparation, response, and cleanup (sandbags, erosion materials).
• Inspect and report maintenance needs; coordinate with supervisory and contract personnel.

Skills

Safe equipment operation

Independent work

Communication

Instruction following

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Water truck operation

Loader/Backhoe operation

Cement mixer

Chainsaw

Job description

Interested in a seasonal, part-time position with competitive pay working in historic San Juan Capistrano? The City of San Juan Capistrano has a unique opportunity for a dependable, motivated individual to join its Public Works team to perform a variety of skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled maintenance duties. This seasonal assignment will primarily support the City’s storm drain maintenance and wet-weather operations during the fall and winter months, including storm drain cleaning and maintenance, storm preparation and response, and installation of sandbags, straw wattles, and other erosion, sediment, and flood-control measures. The work involves maintenance and repair of the City's public buildings, facilities, streets, parks, parkways, trees, landscaping and irrigation, weed abatement, open space, and rights-of-way, as well as assisting in monitoring contracted maintenance work and report service needs.

The duration of this part‑time, seasonal assignment is expected through March/April 2027 and typically scheduled 25 - 35 hours per week.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Public Works Specialist I and II are flexibly staffed classifications. Positions in the Public Works Specialist I may be advanced to the Public Works Specialist II by management in accordance with the City’s audit procedure. The work of the Public Works Specialist I classification requires lesser skill in equipment use, knowledge of varied work methods, the range of tasks performed, and extent of interfaces with contractors, than the Public Works Specialist II. The Public Works Specialist II receives only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise. Public Works Specialist II incumbents are fully aware of departmental operating procedures. Positions in these two classes differ from the Senior Public Works Specialist in that the latter job assumes lead responsibility for setting daily work priorities, performing the most complex assignments, and resolving more difficult problems in the field.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives direction from the Public Works Manager and/or Senior Public Works Specialist. Participates in the maintenance and monitoring of all public land and facilities, including maintenance of City sewer lines and pump stations, public buildings and facilities, streets, parks, parkways, landscaping, irrigation systems, weed abatement, equestrian areas and walking and bicycle trails, open space, and rights‑of‑way.

Performs storm drain and wet‑weather maintenance activities, including inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining storm drain inlets, catch basins, culverts, channels, ditches, and other drainage facilities; removes accumulated sediment, vegetation, trash, and debris to maintain proper drainage and water flow.

Assists with storm preparation, response, and cleanup activities, including installation, placement, maintenance, and removal of sandbags, straw wattles, and other erosion, sediment, and flood‑control materials; clears drainage facilities before and during storm events; monitors known drainage problem areas; and assists with cleanup following storms.

Uses service request system to report maintenance needs and to check upon the status of completed work orders at various City sites, and to report problems for follow‑up by the Senior Public Works Specialist and supervisory and contract personnel.

Operates a variety of maintenance equipment including water truck, loader and backhoe, dump truck, roller, cement mixer, air compressor, sewer cleaning equipment, mowers, forklift, cutting torch, and basic hand and power tools, such as chain saw, weed eater, power drills, and related equipment.

Maintains City right‑of‑ways; eradicates weeds; picks up litter on medians, gutters, curbs, and other areas; installs, maintains, and repairs traffic signs and markers; assists with the maintenance and repair of City’s streetlights; reports maintenance needs.

Ensures adherence to standard safety precautions; sets up and takes down traffic warning devices and barricades for traffic control.

Maintains and cares for street and park trees to ensure public safety; trims and prunes trees to keep streets and sidewalks clear and monitors contract tree trimming work performed by contractors.

Maintains park grounds and parkways, including maintenance and removal of trees, and installation and care of plans, shrubs, and lawns; maintains bicycle and equestrian trails; participates in the preparation, application and use of chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Maintains, cleans, and repairs above ground drainage structures.

Inspects City buildings and facilities for damage and safety hazards; prepares work orders; makes repairs; assists with weed, pest, graffiti removal, and litter abatement for assigned area.

Performs a variety of building maintenance, renovation, and modification work to include basic plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and heating and air conditioning tasks.

Performs preventative maintenance on equipment and tools.

Provides assistance at fairs, parades, and other special events; sets‑up and takes down equipment; provides emergency assistance as needed.

Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge

• Methods, techniques, equipment, and tools used in the maintenance and repair of streets, sewers, storm drains, parks, parkways, landscaping, trees, and buildings and facilities.
• Basic plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and heating and air conditioning maintenance procedures involving City buildings and facilities.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices, including the proper use and storage of hazardous chemicals, herbicides, and fertilizers.

Skills

• Operating a variety of maintenance and repair equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Performing a variety of varied physical tasks, including heavy manual labor.
• Working independently in the absence of supervision.
• Understanding and following oral and written instructions and guidelines.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, contractors, and those contacted in the course of work.

Experience/Training

• Public Works Specialist I level: Requires at least one year of prior experience in the maintenance and repair of public streets, sewers, storm drain systems, parks and landscaped areas, and buildings, and related facilities.
• Public Works Specialist II level: Requires at least two years of prior experience in the maintenance and repair of public streets, sewers, storm drain systems, parks and landscaped areas, and buildings, and related facilities.

Education

Equivalent to graduation from high school or General Education Diploma (GED).

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license and valid medical certificate issued by the Department of Transportation.
• Ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification, as required.

Working Conditions

Environmental Conditions: The employee constantly works outdoors and is subject to variable weather conditions and traffic, heat, dust, moisture and wetness as well as mechanical and electrical hazards, including applied chemicals. The employee is subject to loud construction noise in particular areas such as power tools, compressors, chippers, and large‑scale motorized equipment. The employee must have the ability to travel to different maintenance sites. Depending upon the assignment, the employee may be required to be available for stand‑by and emergency call service.

Physical Conditions: The essential functions require frequent walking, sitting, and standing for prolonged periods of time. Sensory demands require the ability to constantly hear and talk, both in person and by using a telephone, and the ability to use hand and power tools and other equipment. Specific vision acuity required by this job includes close vision and the ability to adjust focus to perform a variety of maintenance duties. The employee may be expected to operate loaders and backhoes, and related maintenance vehicles and jackhammers, and other specialized equipment, and use shovels, hoes, brooms, and other tools given job assignments. Physical demands include bending, stooping, squatting, climbing, crawling, and reaching above and below shoulder level, and the ability to carry materials, supplies, and tools weighing up to and exceeding 50 pounds.