Utilities Services Worker I/II/III

City of Modesto; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Modesto is seeking a reliable and hardworking Utilities Services Worker to perform skilled tasks in the construction, maintenance, and repair of water and wastewater systems and facilities. Current openings are in Water and Wastewater divisions.

The role involves operating a wide range of equipment, handling emergencies, and maintaining safety standards on-site. Essential duties include excavation, installation of meters and pipes, and coordinating with teams to ensure timely project

Qualifications

• Basic methods, tools, and equipment used in construction, maintenance, and repair work.
• Basic arithmetic principles and calculations.
• Learn to use, operate, and maintain a wide range of power‑driven equipment including trucks, backhoes, loaders, and cranes.
• Principles, methods, materials, and tools employed in utilities construction, maintenance, and repair.
• Learn the uses and purposes of general construction tools and equipment.
• Traffic laws, ordinances, and rules involved in light and heavy equipment operations.
• Safe work practices; trench safety and shoring methods.
• Working in and around open trenches, traffic, construction equipment, and utilities.
• Traffic control on construction

Responsibilities

• Operate light to heavy construction equipment such as backhoes, motor graders, large front-end loaders, medium to large trucks, heavy duty rodding machines, hydra flush and vacuum combination trucks, cranes, power rudders, front loaders, dump trucks, tampers, pavement saws, cutting torches, and welders for a variety of construction and maintenance operations involving potable water lines, wastewater mains and lines, and related systems.
• Expose and excavate water mains, distribution lines, valves, and other water and wastewater mainlines, manholes, laterals, storm water catch basins, pipelines, rock wells, drywells, basins, and other utility distribution systems infrastructure.
• Perform the full range of water distribution and wastewater systems operation, construction, and maintenance tasks when equipment is not in use.
• Design, plan, and install temporary traffic control devices; cone and barricade, as necessary.
• Break out and load asphalt and concrete onto large dump trucks.
• Identify, plan, and arrange for equipment needed for each assigned project.
• Perform minor repairs on equipment and report the need for major repairs; check and adjust fluid level; grease and lubricate moving parts, as required.
• Perform daily DMV vehicle inspections; document and inspect equipment for safety and wear.
• Respond to emergencies including flood, line breaks and overflows, storm water and wastewater overflows, and stoppages; repair and restore systems and service, as required.
• Pick up and transport refuse to the appropriate dumping site.
• Operate jackhammer and other construction tools.
• Lay and fit pipelines; make water line taps; install water services, fire hydrants, blow-offs, valves, meters, vaults, boxes, and exercise valves.
• Identify and mark utilities in response to Underground Service Alerts.
• Use tripods, cranes, harnesses, hazardous gas/air sensor equipment, and ladders to enter confined spaces.
• Respond to and appropriately report hazards.
• Maintain accurate records of work performed.
• Perform routine maintenance on tools, equipment, and vehicles used in the work; stock vehicles with adequate supply of tools and equipment needed to perform the work.
• Perform standby/on‑call duties, as assigned and required.
• Develop schedules and methods to accomplish job site goals, ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Participate in evaluating the activities of staff, recommending improvements and modifications, and providing performance feedback.
• Provide on‑site lead leadership, guidance, and direction to work crews on assigned projects.
• Provide on‑the‑job training to employees; work with employees to correct deficiencies; provide training to lower‑level staff in the proper operation of equipment and the appropriate performance of maintenance duties.
• Load and transport construction equipment to and from the work site using the appropriate vehicles.
• Operate hand‑held and office computers to enter and retrieve data; prepare written and electronic records and reports.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co‑workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.

Skills

Construction tools

Equipment operation

Safety practices

Traffic control

Trench safety

Open trench work

Hazard reporting

Customer service

Tools

Backhoes

Loaders

Cranes

Rodding machines

Job description

The City of Modesto is seeking a reliable and hardworking individual to join our team as a Utilities Services Worker.

The Utilities Services Worker is responsible to perform a variety of skilled tasks in the construction, maintenance, and repair of water and wastewater systems and facilities; and perform a wide variety of skilled and semi-skilled maintenance tasks as assigned.

Current openings are within both Water and Wastewater divisions.

Upcoming Salary Increases and Incentives

• 2.5% Education Incentive - Bachelor's Degree
• 5.0% Education Incentive - Master's Degree

Application Process

Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purposes of determining who is most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application form with the works "see resume". The following information is provided for you to use as a reference and as a planning tool. Human Resources is unable to schedule make-up examinations.

Tentative Testing Schedule

In-Person Written Exam

Week of December 14, 2026

Note

Due to the volume of applications we anticipate will be received for this recruitment, there will be a cut-off of no more than 300 applications. Once the cut-off amount is reached, the recruitment will close, this could mean the applications will no longer be active before the closing date posted.

Human Resources reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City. The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of inclusion. A City application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire. The City of Modesto does not sponsor H-1B Visas. Salary offered depends on candidate’s experience.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions

All Assignments

• Operate light to heavy construction equipment such as backhoes, motor graders, large front-end loaders,medium to large trucks, heavy duty rodding machines, hydra flush and vacuum combination trucks, cranes, power rudders, front loaders, dump trucks, tampers, pavement saws, cutting torches, and welders for a variety of construction and maintenance operations involving potable water lines, wastewater mains and lines, and related systems.
• Expose and excavate water mains, distribution lines, valves, and other water and wastewater mainlines, manholes, laterals, storm water catch basins, pipelines, rock wells, drywells, basins, and other utility distribution systems infrastructure.
• Perform the full range of water distribution and wastewater systems operation, construction, and maintenance tasks when equipment is not in use.
• Design, plan, and install temporary traffic control devices; cone and barricade, as necessary.
• Break out and load asphalt and concrete onto large dump trucks.
• Identify, plan, and arrange for equipment needed for each assigned project.
• Perform minor repairs on equipment and report the need for major repairs; check and adjust fluid level; grease and lubricate moving parts, as required.
• Perform daily DMV vehicle inspections; document and inspect equipment for safety and wear.
• Respond to emergencies including flood, line breaks and overflows,storm water and wastewater overflows, and stoppages; repair and restore systems and service, as required.
• Pick up and transport refuse to the appropriate dumping site.
• Operate jackhammer and other construction tools.
• Lay and fit pipelines; make water line taps; install water services, fire hydrants, blow-offs, valves, meters, vaults, boxes, and exercise valves.
• Identify and mark utilities in response to Underground Service Alerts.
• Use tripods, cranes, harnesses, hazardous gas/air sensor equipment, and ladders to enter confined spaces.
• Respond to and appropriately report hazards.
• Maintain accurate records of work performed.
• Perform routine maintenance on tools, equipment, and vehicles used in the work; stock vehicles with adequate supply of tools and equipment needed to perform the work.
• Perform standby/on‑call duties, as assigned and required.
• Develop schedules and methods to accomplish job site goals, ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Participate in evaluating the activities of staff, recommending improvements and modifications, and providing performance feedback.
• Provide on‑site lead leadership, guidance, and direction to work crews on assigned projects.
• Provide on‑the‑job training to employees; work with employees to correct deficiencies; provide training to lower‑level staff in the proper operation of equipment and the appropriate performance of maintenance duties.
• Load and transport construction equipment to and from the work site using the appropriate vehicles.
• Operate hand‑held and office computers to enter and retrieve data; prepare written and electronic records and reports.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co‑workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.

When assigned to Water/Distribution

• Identify, locate, and fix service and main leaks.
• Operate pipe locators and install and inspect backflow assemblies.
• Install, replace, and maintain water meters.

When assigned to Wastewater

• Inspect sewer and positive storm drain lines with closed circuit television equipment.
• Clean and service rock wells, catch basins, and drain lines, and wet wells at lift stations.

Marginal Functions

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Utilities Services Worker I

Knowledge of

• Basic methods, tools, and equipment used in construction, maintenance, and repair work.
• Basic arithmetic principles and calculations.
• Learn to use, operate, and maintain a wide range of power‑driven equipment including trucks, backhoes, loaders, and cranes.
• Principles, methods, materials, and tools employed in utilities construction, maintenance, and repair.
• Learn the uses and purposes of general construction tools and equipment.
• Traffic laws, ordinances, and rules involved in light and heavy equipment operations.
• Safe work practices; trench safety and shoring methods.
• Working in and around open trenches, traffic, construction equipment, and utilities.
• Traffic control on construction