Utility Construction Technician III

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD); Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is seeking an experienced Utility Construction Technician III to lead staff in the installation, construction, repair, and maintenance of potable and recycled water pipelines, sewers, and related facilities. The role involves operating heavy equipment and ensuring safe traffic control around worksites.

Four years of water infrastructure experience is required. Responsibilities include mentoring staff, reviewing work quality, and maintaining logs and records.

Qualifications

• Education: Completion of the twelfth grade (or equivalent).
• Experience: Four (4) years in water infrastructure construction, maintenance, and repair.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
• Lead and perform installation, construction, repair, and maintenance of potable and recycled water systems.
• Read and interpret as-builts, maps, and technical drawings.
• Operate and maintain heavy equipment and vehicles used in field work.
• Ensure proper traffic control around work sites for public safety.

Skills

Staff leadership

Heavy equipment operation

Traffic control

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

SWRCB Grade III Water Distribution Operator certificate

Job description

Irvine Ranch Water District is currently accepting applications for the Utility Construction Technician III position in the Construction Services Department.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or until filled. The deadline for the first review of applications is 8:00 AM on November 30, 2026. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit applications early. Candidates who submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline.

The District

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values‑driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground‑breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not‑for‑profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five‑member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision‑making. Day‑to‑day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.

IRWD Values

Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever‑changing world.

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.

The Position

Under direction, plans, coordinates, and leads staff responsible for the installation/replacement, construction, repair, and maintenance of District potable and recycled water pipelines, sewers, including vault rehabs, dam repairs and other distribution systems infrastructure and related facilities; serves as primary operator of heavy equipment on job sites; and performs related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower‑level staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the advanced journey‑level classification in the Utility Construction Technician series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series as well as providing lead direction on a day‑to‑day basis to assigned staff. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex requiring considerable discretion and judgment. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to perform assigned duties. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to complete assignments. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements. This class is distinguished from the Utility Construction Supervisor in that the latter is a full supervisory classification with responsibilities for the supervision and evaluation of assigned staff.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Provides technical and functional direction to assigned staff; reviews and controls quality of work; inspects and evaluates work in progress and upon completion to ensure that maintenance, of potable water, recycled water and sewer distribution systems infrastructure and facilities, such as pipelines, valves, tanks, pump and lift stations, road repairs, and project activities are performed in accordance with District standards and specifications.

Monitors quality of work and identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; provides recommendations concerning process changes to the supervisor; and implements changes and improvements after approval.

Mentors and trains employees in work methods, use of tools and equipment, and relevant safety precautions.

Serves as primary operator of heavy equipment; inspects, services, and makes minor adjustments to equipment, vehicles, and tools.

Leads, installs/replaces, constructs, repairs, and maintains potable and recycled water distribution systems infrastructure and facilities, such as mains, hydrants, pipelines, valves, tanks, pump and lift stations, road repairs, and related facilities, per District specifications.

Identifies utility markings at job site to determine location for excavation; excavates mains and lines following safe dig practices and shutdown procedures; installs and removes various types of trench shoring.

Replaces old mains and pipes; performs water main taps under pressure or following main shutdowns; operates and exercises large and small valves to shut‑off and turn‑on water service.

Ensures proper implementation of traffic control procedures around work sites to ensure safe conditions for the general public, consultants/contractors, and District workers.

Receives, investigates, and resolves customer inquiries, complaints, and requests for service; advises customers of problems and suggests solutions; refers customers to other departments and agencies and/or creates work order, as appropriate.

Reads and interprets as‑builts, maps, schematics, drawings, diagrams, and related technical documentation.

Inspects infrastructure and facilities for safety issues, system integrity, and possible future work projects; provides recommendations to the supervisor.

Performs pre‑trip safety inspection on vehicles and equipment to be used daily; ensures parts and materials are available and stocked on the crew truck.

Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment and tools at the close of the workday.

Maintains accurate logs and records of work performed and materials and equipment used.

Observes and complies with all District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Comply with safety work‑related practices and attend relevant safety training.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Any Combination Of Training And Experience That Would Provide The Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Is Qualifying. A Typical Way To Obtain The Required Qualifications Would Be:

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Experience: Four (4) years of experience performing water infrastructure construction, maintenance, and repair work.

Knowledge Of

• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Principles, practices, techniques, equipment, and tools required for installing/replacing, constructing, maintaining, and repairing equipment and facilities found in a large metropolitan water infrastructure.
• Pipes made of various materials.
• Operational characteristics, use of, and maintenance requirements of light to heavy equipment, vehicles, and related hand and power tools required for the work.
• Traffic control procedures.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety procedures related to the work.
• Occupational hazards and safety standards related to the work, including driving rules and practices and working in confining spaces.
• Principles of mathematics and the application to assigned work.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction
• Lead and perform a variety of tasks in the installation/replacement, construction, repair, and maintenance of District potable and recycled water distribution systems and sewer infrastructure and related facilities.
• Safely and effectively use, operate, and maintain heavy equipment, as well as various hand and power tools, light equipment, and vehicles required for the work.
• Ensure the proper set up of traffic control around construction areas.
• Read and interpret information from as‑builts, maps, schematics, drawings, diagrams, and related technical documentation.
• Maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems of work performed.
• Perform mathematical computations with accuracy.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively use computer systems and software applications relevant to work performed to perform work tasks.
• Skills in leading and motivating a team of crew members and subcontractors.
• Ability to resolve conflicts and address issues effectively.

Licenses And Certifications

• Possession of a valid Class A California driver’s license with Tanker endorsements to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid Grade III (D3) Water Distribution Operator certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid Crane Operator certificate issued by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) or similar organization.

Additional Information

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; frequently reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, grasp, and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; to climb and descend ladders; to operate various equipment and tools; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various District sites; and vision to locate utilities and read printed materials and a computer. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas and to work in confined spaces. Must be certified annually to wear respiratory equipment. Must be clean‑shaven such that facial hair does not interfere with the fit of a tight‑fitting respirator. Finger dexterity is needed to operate and repair tools and equipment. Employees must possess the ability to carry, push, pull, and lift materials and objects weighing 50 pounds, and up to 90 pounds with the use of proper equipment.

Environmental Conditions

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road/traffic hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants. Work often in high traffic areas or active construction zones.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Irvine Ranch Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department for a reasonable accommodation.

IRWD offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following: retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; and a variety of other benefits.

Retirement and related benefits are described in detail in the original posting.