Utility Worker I/II - Construction

Rainbow Municipal Water District; Fallbrook (CA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Rainbow Municipal Water District is hiring for Utility Worker I/II to join our Construction team. You'll work outdoors on water mains, services, hydrants, and related infrastructure, operating heavy equipment and employing safety practices.

We value a strong work ethic and willingness to learn, with eligibility for growth into additional certifications. The role involves physical outdoor work, teamwork, and responding to emergencies to keep our communities supplied with safe water.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1–2 years of construction experience.
• Ability to safely use construction hand tools, power tools, and heavy equipment.
• Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work in varying weather and terrain conditions.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others, follow safety procedures, and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, and repair water mains, service lines, fire hydrants, valves, meters, and other components.
• Operate dump trucks, backhoes, trenchers, excavators, compactors, and other construction equipment.
• Locate and repair leaks, respond to water system emergencies, and restore service to communities.
• Prepare job sites, excavate and backfill trenches, and assist with asphalt, concrete, and roadway repairs.
• Set up traffic control, follow safe trenching and shoring practices, and look out for your crew.
• Inspect, clean, and maintain construction vehicles, tools, and equipment.
• Develop skills through hands-on experience and safety certifications.

Skills

Construction experience

Tool operation

Outdoor physical stamina

Safety awareness

Teamwork/communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

D1 Water Distribution Certificate

Class A CDL with air brake and tanker endorsements

AWS D1.1 Welding Certification

Water Distribution coursework or related education

Tools

Heavy equipment operation

Job description

Work That Matters. A Crew That Has Your Back. A Career Built to Last.

Some jobs keep you behind a desk. This one keeps an entire community running. Rainbow Municipal Water District is looking for a dependable, hardworking, and motivated Utility Worker I to join our Construction team! Every time someone turns on a faucet, waters their grove, or relies on a fire hydrant in an emergency, there's a hardworking team behind the scenes making it possible. That's where you come in.

From repairing underground pipelines and installing new water services to operating heavy equipment and responding to unexpected emergencies, you'll be part of the crew that keeps essential water infrastructure operating safely and reliably. If you enjoy working outdoors, take pride in a job well done, and want to build a career where your hard work makes a difference, we want to hear from you!

Qualified candidates who are not selected immediately may be placed on an eligibility list for our five new positions planned over the next three years.

We're open to hiring at multiple levels based on qualifications and experience:

• Utility Worker I:$33.60–$45.36/hour (D1 certification, Class A license, heavy equipment operation or welding experience preferred but not required)
• Utility Worker II:$37.19–$50.21/hour (D2 required, Class A or welding certificate, and experience in a similar role at a water agency required)

This is hands-on, boots-on-the-ground work where no two days are exactly alike.

• Get your hands dirty. Install, maintain, and repair water mains, service lines, fire hydrants, valves, meters, and other essential water system components.

• Bring out the big equipment. Work with dump trucks, backhoes, trenchers, excavators, compactors, and other construction equipment.

• Be part of the solution. Help locate and repair leaks, respond to water system emergencies, and restore service to our communities.

• Build it. Fix it. Finish it. Prepare job sites, excavate and backfill trenches, and assist with asphalt, concrete, and roadway repairs.

• Safety comes first. Set up traffic control, follow safe trenching and shoring practices, and look out for your crew.

• Take care of the tools of the trade. Inspect, clean, and maintain construction vehicles, tools, and equipment.

• Keep learning. Develop your skills through hands‑on experience, safety training, and opportunities to earn industry certifications.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• 1–2 years of construction experience involving roads, public works, underground utilities, pipelines, or similar work.

• Ability to safely use construction hand tools, power tools, and heavy equipment.

• Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work in varying weather and terrain conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to work cooperatively with others, follow safety procedures, and communicate effectively.

Even Better If You Have:

• Water Distribution Operator D1 Certification.

• Class A Commercial Driver's License with air brake and tanker endorsements.

• Experience operating backhoes, excavators, or similar heavy equipment.

• Experience in underground utilities, landscaping, pipeline welding, or roadway construction.

• AWS D1.1 Welding Certification.

• Water Distribution coursework or related education.

• Experience using GIS software.

Don't have all the preferred certifications? Don't count yourself out!

A D1 Water Distribution Certificate is preferred, but not required at the time of hire. The selected candidate will be expected to pursue this certification within the first six months of employment.

We're not looking for someone who knows everything about water distribution on day one. We're looking for someone with a solid construction foundation, a strong work ethic, and the willingness to learn.

You'll fit right in if you:

• Aren't afraid of hard work, long days outdoors, or getting a little dirty

• Have experience in construction, underground utilities, roadwork, pipeline installation, or similar hands‑on work.

• Show up ready to work, take direction, and contribute to the team.

• Understand that working safely is just as important as getting the job done.

• Take care of your equipment, respect your coworkers, and take pride in the finished product.

• Want more than your next paycheck. You want to build skills, grow professionally, and establish a long‑term career.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who can be counted on when it matters.

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

• This is a physically demanding, outdoor position. You'll work in the sun, heat, cold, rain, and on uneven terrain. The job involves digging, lifting, bending, kneeling, operating equipment, and working around active construction sites.

• You'll also participate in a rotating on‑call schedule for weekends and holidays and may be called upon to respond to after‑hours water emergencies.

• When our community needs us, our crews answer the call.

WHY BUILD YOUR CAREER AT RAINBOW?

Because the people you work with matter just as much as the work you do.At Rainbow Municipal Water District, we're proud to serve the communities of Rainbow, Bonsall, and portions of Fallbrook, Vista, and Oceanside. We're also proud to have been recognized as a San Diego County Top Workplace five consecutive years!Here's what makes Rainbow different:

• Competitive pay and valuable benefits. Build a stable future with a public agency that values its employees.

• Long‑term career opportunities. Gain experience, develop specialized skills, and grow in the water utility industry.

• A team you can count on. Work alongside experienced professionals who take pride in their craft and look out for one another.

• Work with purpose. See the direct impact of your efforts in the communities we serve.

• A workplace where you're valued. At Rainbow, you're more than an employee number. Your contributions matter.