Sewer Maintenance Equipment Operator

City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Diego is seeking a Sewer Maintenance Equipment Operator to perform preventive maintenance, operate sewer cleaning gear, and lead a small crew while keeping mileage and service records.

This position requires a valid California Class A or B license and DMV medical certificate, with potential overtime, night/weekend shifts, and pre-employment screening including background checks and drug/alcohol testing. Applicants will be evaluated for CWEA certification being highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Six months of full-time experience operating medium-class industrial motive equipment (e.g., vacuum/flusher, sewer rodders).
• One year of full-time experience operating light industrial motive equipment (e.g., rollers, power augers).

Responsibilities

• Perform preventive maintenance and clean blocked mains using sewer cleaning equipment.
• Lead the work of subordinates and maintain equipment records.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Skills

Equipment operation

Safety awareness

Job description

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

Sewer Maintenance Equipment Operator positions perform preventive maintenance and clean blocked mains using a variety of sewer cleaning equipment including, but not limited to, combination vacuum/flusher, power rodding trucks, flushers, and bucketing machines; lead the work of subordinates; perform minor servicing and maintenance on assigned equipment; keep mileage and service records; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES

• Employees in job classifications represented by AFSME 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

• In addition to the scheduled general wage increases, the following equity adjustment wage increases are also scheduled to take effect for Sewer Maintenance Equipment Operator:

  • 5% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Sewer Maintenance Equipment Operator employees may be required to work overtime, nights, weekends, holidays, rotating and/or stand‑by shifts for which they may receive additional pay.
• Sewer Maintenance Equipment Operator employees who operate commercial vehicles are required by California State Law, as a condition of employment, to submit to drug and alcohol testing. Prior to hire, a background check will be completed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and with former employers regarding drug and alcohol testing results.

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

EXPERIENCE

You must meet ONE of the following options:

1. Six months of full-time experience operating medium‑class industrial motive equipment similar to equipment operated by Equipment Operator I positions, such as combination vacuum/flusher, truck‑mounted sewer rodders, flushers or other equipment of comparable difficulty.
2. One year of full-time experience operating light industrial motive equipment similar to equipment operated by Light Equipment Operator positions, such as roller compactors, power augers, or other equipment of comparable difficulty.

NOTE

• 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 A or B Driver's License AND a valid California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) medical certificate dated within the last two years are required at the time of application.

NOTE

• A valid Tank Endorsement is required at the time of hire.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

• Possession of a valid California Water Environment Association (CWEA) certificate.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION)

• Proof of valid California Class A or B Driver License AND a valid DMV medical certificate dated within the last two years.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out‑of‑Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

PRE‑EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre‑employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, which may include a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All of these processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may be cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.

Rev. 6 - August 28, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)