Wastewater Facilities Lead Mechanical Technician

City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz (CA)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Job summary

The City of Santa Cruz is seeking a Wastewater Facilities Lead Mechanical Technician to manage complex maintenance at the wastewater treatment plant and remote facilities. This senior role requires strong mechanical skills, leadership of small crews, and collaboration with engineers and contractors in a dynamic public works environment.

Responsibilities include preventive maintenance programs, troubleshooting, overhaul of pumps and engines, and safe operation under CMMS guidance.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required; six years of mechanical maintenance experience including industrial machinery.
CWEA PM Mechanical Technologist Grade 2 certification within 24 months of appointment (preferred).
First Aid and CPR certification within one year of appointment.
Class C driver's license required.

Responsibilities

Develop and carry out an ongoing inspection and preventive maintenance program for treatment and pumping facilities.
Troubleshoot equipment and perform necessary repairs; coordinate with supervisor.
Remove, repair, and overhaul pumps, motors, centrifuges, dewatering equipment, valves, boilers, and related plant equipment.
Maintain motors and internal combustion engines including generators and cogeneration.
Use CMMS or similar systems to schedule and document maintenance projects.
Collaborate with engineers, contractors, and vendors on rehabilitation and replacement projects.
Provide lead direction to small maintenance crews and train others in safety and procedures.
Order supplies as needed and maintain related records; may perform confined space duties and LOTO.

Skills

Lead a small crew

Complex maintenance tasks

Read schematics/blueprints

Safety compliance

Oral and written communication

Relationship building

Tool usage

Hazardous materials handling

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The current vacancy is for Wastewater Facilities Lead Mechanical Technician in the Public Works Department in the Wastewater Division.

Under general supervision, performs the more complex technical tasks relative to the installation, construction, maintenance and repair of industrial mechanical systems at the City’s wastewater treatment plant and remote facilities in the Public Works Wastewater Systems Division.

To learn more about the Wastewater division and our award-winning facility, please visit: https://www.santacruzca.gov/Government/City-Departments/Public-Works/Wastewater

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular, Full Time, Part Time, Limited Term, and Temporary Wastewater Facilities Lead Mechanical Technician vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

Recruitment #27-014

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

On Thursday, 10/01/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
1. Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
2. Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

Week of 10/05 and 10/12/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 10/23/26
Week of 10/26 and 11/02/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Basic Function

Develops and carries out an on-going inspection and preventive maintenance program to insure adequate mechanical operation of the treatment and pumping facilities.
Troubleshoots equipment as referred by work orders or verbal directions; determines necessary repairs; makes recommendations to supervisor regarding actions needed; and performs such work as feasible and appropriate.
Removes, repairs, and completely overhauls pumps, motors, centrifuges, dewatering equipment, mechanical bar-screens, chlorinators, gas compressors, boilers, valves, blowers, and other types of equipment related to water or wastewater treatment plants and pumping facilities.
Services and maintains motors.
Performs the full range of maintenance and repair of the plant’s internal combustion engines including effluent CAT engines, cogeneration I & II, and standby generators.
Performs basic mechanical maintenance and troubleshooting on a variety of electrical equipment related to pumping systems, including motors, manual and automatic control centers, panel-boards and switch indicators and remote control equipment; troubleshoots and performs minor mechanical repairs on electric motors, coordinating work with electrical technicians as required.
Utilizes a variety of mechanical, welding, plumbing, and machinists' tools to fabricate, rebuild, strengthen, and maintain various parts and pieces of plant equipment.
Fabricates, assembles, and installs special structures and equipment from blueprints, schematics, drawings, or construction diagrams, including rough and finished carpentry work as needed for repair or remodel.
Performs maintenance on large pipes, valves, and related fittings with diameters up to 54 inches.
Maintains work records and preventative maintenance records and computer directed preventative maintenance records as required.
Uses a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) or other computerized monitoring and operating system, to create, schedule, assign and sign-off on equipment maintenance projects.
Collaborates with engineers, consultants, contractors, and vendors by providing field information for equipment rehabilitation and replacement projects.
Participates in and provides lead work direction to small crews of maintenance workers in maintenance work assignment.
Participates and leads in skills and safety training programs; learns and implements safety rules, regulations, and emergency procedures.
May order supplies and materials as required for completion of various work assignments; prepares and maintains related documents and records.
May be required to perform duties related to confined space entry and rescue.
Perform and oversee Lock-out, Tag-out procedures (LOTO).
Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Wastewater Facilities Lead Mechanical Technician is the advanced journey level, lead classification of the mechanical technician series in which incumbents are expected to independently perform the full scope of assigned duties under general direction. Incumbents provide lead direction to Wastewater Facilities Mechanical Technician I/IIs, Utility Maintenance Technicians, other staff, temporary workers, and/or consultants. This classification is distinguished from the next lower classification of Wastewater Facilities Mechanical Technician II in that the latter performs the less complex mechanical maintenance work. This classification is distinguished from the next higher classifications of supervisors or managers who have a wider scope of duties and supervise people and manage projects rather than spending a majority of time performing the maintenance work.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when inspecting work and operating assigned equipment. The need to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 100 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this outdoor position works in all weather conditions, including wet, heat and cold. May use chemicals and cleaning products which may expose the employee to fumes, dust and air contaminants. May be exposed to biohazards and/or hazardous chemicals. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to climb ladders, use power tools and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and heavy equipment, work in heavy vehicle traffic conditions and enter confined spaces. Some positions require the incumbent to work both in and around oceanic surf to perform assigned duties. Depending on assignment, the incumbent may be required to respond to after hours emergency call outs and to wear a uniform. An incumbent may perform assigned duties while wearing respiratory protection equipment. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience

High school diploma or tested equivalent and,
Six (6) years of experience in mechanical maintenance work which included the maintenance and repair of industrial machinery and equipment, and,
Six (6) months performing fabrication welding with arc and gas welding and cutting equipment which may be included in the above required experience or in any other work experience.

Knowledge

Techniques, tools and materials used in the maintenance and repair of industrial machinery and equipment including large capacity pumps, motors, valves, gear boxes, centrifuges, compressors, boilers and generators.
Standard safety procedures related to plant equipment maintenance.
Electrical operation and troubleshooting of pumps, motors, and generators, to determine problems and service equipment.

Abilities

Lead and provide work direction to a small crew of employees.
Perform the most complex maintenance tasks on wastewater treatment equipment.
Learn more complex principles, practices, techniques, and regulations pertaining to plant maintenance work.
Learn to make sound decisions, assimilate, and communicate that information in a manner consistent with the essential job function.
Maintain, adjust, and repair industrial machinery and equipment.
Operate hand and power tools used in mechanical maintenance work.
Recognize unusual or dangerous operating conditions and make sound judgments within established guidelines.
Read schematics, blueprints, drawings, and construction diagrams.
Perform mathematical calculations.
Follow oral and written instructions.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Complete and maintain accurate records.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Work effectively as a member of a crew.
Lead a small crew of employees.
Act in a courteous and tactful manner with members of the public.
Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
Safely handle hazardous materials.
Perform assigned duties while wearing respiratory protection equipment.
Operate a boom truck, dump truck and other similar equipment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must successfully complete the city’s respirator fit testing protocols; may be required to be clean shaven.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including holidays, evenings, weekends, and overtime as assigned.
Willingness to perform call back work and standby duty as required; must remain available to be contacted by phone or pager and be able to report to work within a thirty (30) minute period when standing duty.
Willingness to wear a uniform.

Licenses and Certificates

Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a Class C driver's license.
CWEA PM Mechanical Technologist Grade 2 certification within 24 months of date of appointment.
Possession and continued maintenance of First Aid and CPR certification within one (1) year of appointment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS