Utility Worker

California Water Service; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

California Water Service Group (Cal Water) is seeking a Utility Worker to support field operations, meters, and maintenance across our water system. The role involves relief work, meter changes, valve operation, and routine site upkeep in a safety‑conscious environment.

Qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, a California Class C driver’s license, and California State Water Distribution Operator II certification.

Qualifications

• Candidate must communicate effectively with supervisor, co-workers and the public.
• Ability to perform basic math to calculate figures.
• Must read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating instructions, and manuals; write routine reports.
• High School diploma or equivalent; valid California Class C Driver’s license; insurable.
• Working knowledge of word processing programs (e.g., Microsoft Word) and email (e.g., Microsoft Outlook).
• Employee must be able to work without supervision and take feedback.
• Knowledge of water quality specifications (chlorine, pH, temperature) and NPDES rules.
• California State Water Distribution Operator II certification is required.

Responsibilities

• Perform relief work under various field operations classifications.
• Change and replace 5/8" thru 1" meters and meter box lids and covers.
• Clean out 5/8" through 1" meter box.
• Assist to flush and maintain mains and operate system valves.
• Assist in setting, replacing, or removing 1-1/2" and 2" meters.
• Notify for shutdowns.
• General maintenance of facilities.
• Collect water samples to a minor extent.
• Adjust or replace meter boxes as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Math skills

Reading skills

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Independent work

Water quality knowledge

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

California Class C Driver’s license

California State Water Distribution Operator II

Tools

MS Word

Outlook

Job description

California Water Service Job Description: California Water Service Group (Cal Water) invites you to build a meaningful career with the third largest publicly traded water utility in the United States. Guided by our mission to be the leading provider of water and wastewater services, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the customers, communities, and employees we serve. Our culture is grounded in core values - integrity, quality, service, value, health and safety, respect and collaboration, and corporate citizenship - and is reflected in our recognition as a Top Workplace®, a Great Place to Work®, and a J.D. Power leader in customer satisfaction for multiple years. Join Cal Water and be part of a purpose driven organization where your work makes a lasting impact.

Utility Worker (UW)

The Utility Worker (UW) performs relief work under various field operations classifications. In addition, a Utility Worker fulfills various aspects of maintenance operations. This includes, change, clean and replace meters, and meter boxes, assist in repair and perform maintenance on water mains, service lines, street/sidewalks, and fire hydrants; clean and paint station/treatment plant equipment and appurtenances.

Essential Functions

• Perform relief work under various field operations classifications.
• Change and replace 5/8" thru 1" size meters and meter box lids and covers.
• Clean out 5/8" through 1" size meter box.
• Assist to flush and perform maintenance on all necessary functions of mains, which includes operation system valves.
• Assist in setting, replacing, or removing 1-1/2" and 2" size meters.
• Notify for shutdowns.
• General maintenance of company’s facilities.
• Collect water samples to a minor extent.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Adjust or replace meter boxes as necessary
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• A UW must be able to effectively communicate with their supervisor, co-workers, and the public
• Have the ability to perform basic mathematic functions to calculate figures
• and have the ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Must possess a High School diploma or equivalent, possess a valid California Class C Driver’s license, and be insurable under the Company’s policy
• A UW must have a working knowledge of basic features of word processing programs (e.g., Microsoft Word) and electronic mail processing programs (e.g., Microsoft Outlook)
• Employee must be able to work without supervision and respond appropriately to feedback, evaluation, coaching, counseling, and/or discipline
• The job entails an understanding and knowledge of water quality specifications for chlorine content, pH, water temperature, other essential water quality parameters, as well as National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) rules and regulations
• California State Water Distribution Operator II certification is required

Salary Range: $42.09 - Step 1 $43.13 - Step 2 (6 months) $44.22 - Step 3 (12 months) $48.33 - Step 4 (18 months)

Deadline to submit resume is Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

The Equal Opportunity Policy of the Company is based upon the philosophy that all people should be treated fairly and with dignity.

California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service and Washington Water Service do not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected class.

The Company makes all employment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner.

EOE, VET, DISABILITIES.

California Water Service Group invites you to pursue a career in the water industry with the third largest publicly traded water utility in the United States. Our mission is to be the leading provider of water and wastewater services. We’re committed to improving the quality of life for our customers, communities, stockholders, and employees. To achieve that, we align our hiring strategies with the company’s core values of integrity, service, value, health and safety, respect and collaboration, and corporate citizenship so that we can provide quality, service, and value to all of these groups. Our commitment to our employees is evident, as we have been named a Top Workplace in the Bay Area and designated as a Great Place to Work®, and Cal Water was ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Water Utilities in the West by J.D. Power in its inaugural water utility satisfaction study.