WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PLANT MECHANIC

City of Sunnyvale; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Sunnyvale is seeking a Water Pollution Control Plant Mechanic (journey level) to perform skilled mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical and instrumentation tasks at the Water Pollution Control Plant. The role may be assigned to mechanical or SCADA/instrumentation functions with responsibilities for maintenance, repairs and safety.

Qualifications include a high school diploma and 3 years of journey-level experience in municipal wastewater settings; familiarity with SCADA and PLC

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Three years (journey-level) experience in maintenance mechanics, electricians, or instrumentation in wastewater facilities.
• Knowledge of industrial electrical, mechanical and instrumentation duties along with safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Install, repair and maintain plant equipment including pumps, valves and motors.
• Inspect, troubleshoot, and overhauls mechanical, electrical and instrumentation systems.
• Maintain records, prepare sketches, and report status of work orders.

Skills

Mechanical skills

Electrical knowledge

SCADA systems

Reading schematics

Safety compliance

Tools

SCADA

SQL Server

PLC programming

Job description

The final filing date is Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 5:00 pm or after receiving 100 qualified and complete applications, whichever is first.

The City of Sunnyvale invites applications for the position of Water Pollution Control Plant Mechanic. The City is recruiting for (1) regular full-time vacancy which may be assigned to the Mechanical or Instrumentation (SCADA) functions.

Under general supervision, performs a variety of skilled journey-level mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical and/or instrumentation tasks in the City's Water Pollution Control Plant. Inspects, troubleshoots, repairs, overhauls, and performs routine and preventive maintenance on wastewater facilities and related equipment; and performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

WPC Plant Mechanic is the journey level position reporting to a Senior WPC Mechanic or the WPC Maintenance Manager. The WPC Mechanic is distinguished from the next higher level classification of Senior WPC Plant Mechanic by the latter's responsibility for the day-to-day supervision and technical advice given to journey level WPC Plant Mechanics. It is further distinguished from the WPC Maintenance Manager position in that the manager oversees all work related to the modification, maintenance and repair of the Water Pollution Control Plant facility.

Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the WPC Plant Mechanic in Training level once the incumbent meets the qualification standards of the WPC Plant Mechanic level, demonstrates an ability to perform the full scope of work, and meets performance expectations. Incumbents are not automatically promoted to the higher level; the needs of the department determine the level of assignment.

(May include, but are not limited, to the following):

• Installs, aligns, removes and repairs various sewage treatment plant equipment, such as bar screens, grit collectors, conveyors, mechanical grinders, pumps, small engines, ventilation systems, chlorinators and emergency equipment.
• Overhauls, modifies, and repairs mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical and/or instrumentation equipment used in the water and wastewater treatment, processing and pumping stations.
• Assures that plant electrical, mechanical and/or instrumentation equipment is maintained and repaired properly to provide reliability, economy and safety.
• Determines and documents proper procedures for the maintenance and repair of electrical, mechanical, and/or instrumentation equipment; maintains up-to-date records for all equipment which includes: documentation of electrical blueprints, schematics, spare parts, inventory lists, equipment manuals and wiring diagrams.
• Maintains maintenance records of plant and storm lift stations equipment.
• Makes recommendations on upgrades of existing electrical, mechanical, and/or instrumentation equipment as new technology dictates.
• May estimate labor and materials necessary for the performance of the work.
• Makes sketches of the work to be performed or work completed; keeps records of the work performed, which includes data for the computerized maintenance program.
• Updates supervisor on status of work orders and materials inventory.
• Participates in training and safety meetings; follows proper safety precautions related to electrical, mechanical, and/or instrumentation repair; maintains tools, supplies, equipment, and the work site in a safe condition.
• Participates in cross training, or work assignments with other mechanics; trains assigned personnel as requested; attends daily briefings with supervisor or other maintenance personnel.
• May assist in contacting vendors to maintain correct parts inventory levels for the maintenance, repair, modification and overhaul of plant mechanical, electrical and/or instrumentation equipment.

If assigned mechanical functions, may also perform any combination of the following:

• Installs, repairs and checks high pressure piping systems; lays out, cuts, bends and assembles pipes and other component parts for the fabrication of new systems; modifies existing piping and tests systems and equipment for proper operation and conformance to standards.
• Fabricates and welds ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
• Provides preventive and corrective maintenance on internal combustible engines.
• Cuts plates, structural steel and alloys within close tolerances with flame-cutting torch equipment.
• Removes, installs, and relocates various pieces of heavy, unwieldy or otherwise critical equipment and machinery using cranes, winches, hoists, dollies, rollers and forklift trucks.
• Removes, repairs, and completely overhauls pumps, motors, sludge centrifuge gear drives, mechanical bar-screens, gas compressors, boilers, valves, blowers and other types of equipment related to wastewater treatment plants and pumping facilities.
• Assures that plant mechanical equipment is maintained and repaired properly to provide reliability, economy and safety.

If assigned instrumentation functions, may also perform any combination of the following:

• Programs, configures and analyzes recording and electronic or pneumatic control instruments and related equipment; maintains, operates, installs, adjusts and calibrates systems and equipment.
• Assures that plant instrumentation equipment is maintained and repaired properly to provide reliability, economy and safety.
• Develops, troubleshoots and maintains sophisticated Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) software on various platforms; manages, develops and configures SQL server databases; develops software and configurations for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) human-machine interface systems.
• Sets up and conducts tests of equipment and components under operational conditions.
• Reviews original factory specifications and makes recommendations or repairs to achieve optimal performance.
• Assists in identifying and resolving process control problems within system.
• Develops and troubleshoot PLC ladder logic.
• Designs and installs control loops.

If assigned electrical functions, may also perform any combination of the following:

• Installs, tests, calibrates and maintains all electrical systems and equipment including, but not limited to, the following: electrical motors; high, medium and low voltage manual and automatic motor control centers; panel boards and switch gears; automatic safety controls; liquid level control indicators, recorders and alarms; pneumatic-electric controls for valve operations.
• May wire or re-wire new or existing facilities, structures, or equipment as required.
• May design electronic and electrical system components.
• Checks all control circuits for wear, proper voltage, amperes, rotation, and contact wear.
• Tests emergency generators, co-generation electrical distribution systems, checking for proper operation.
• Tests and repairs various types of relays and regulators.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires sitting, prolonged standing, walking, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination when using small hand tools and computer keyboards. Near vision is required when working with small tools and electrical components, and far vision is required when out in the field. Acute hearing is required when isolating mechanical sounds within an engine and providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, carry and push tools and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds such as pipes, and welding equipment is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this outdoor position works in all weather conditions, including exposure to inclement weather, noise, fumes, dust, grease, and air contaminants. The incumbent will work with and around influents containing industrial waste, plant process chemicals, hazardous materials and residential sewage. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to: work around moving parts and electrical equipment, heavy construction zones, climb ladders, use power and noise producing tools and equipment and enter confined spaces wearing appropriate breathing apparatus. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

The base salary for this classification includes pay for potentially hazardous duties as listed in the essential job functions.

Education and Experience

Graduation from high school or tested equivalent; AND

Three years of journey level experience performing the duties of a maintenance mechanic, electrician and/or instrumentation technician in a municipal wastewater or related heavy industrial field which has included the maintenance and repair of heavy industrial machinery and equipment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

WPC Plant Mechanic in Training

Knowledge of:

• Standard terms, practices, procedures, associated with industrial electrical, mechanical and/or instrumentation duties.
• The use and operation of measuring and testing devices.
• The National Electrical Code; principles of electrical/mechanical/instrumentation installation, operation, testing, and maintenance.
• Pumps, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Basic mathematical calculations.
• Safety regulations and precautions.
• Schematics, blueprints, drawings, and construction diagrams.
• Designing, installing, and troubleshooting electrical circuits; using a volt/ohm meter (VOM).
• Diagnosing mechanical, electrical, and/or instrumentation difficulties in equipment.

Skill in

• The use of common hand, power and mechanical tools, parts and support equipment and their proper identification and application.
• Operating motor vehicles or motorized equipment.
• Operating overhaul and test equipment.
• Using special power or hand tools and measuring equipment, including soldering equipment, oscilloscopes, multi-meters, analyzers, calibrators and other instruments used in repairing electro-mechanical and electro-hydraulic apparatus.

Ability to

• Maintain complete and accurate records.
• Work alone or in close proximity to others.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Provide outstanding customer service.
• Use a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).

WPC Plant Mechanic, The above knowledge, plus

• The National Electrical Code; principles of electrical/mechanical/instrumentation installation, operation, testing and maintenance, and the operation of equipment in the wastewater field.

WPC Plant Mechanic, The above abilities, plus

• Use software applications related to Programmable Logic Controllers and electrical schematics.
• Recognize unusual or dangerous operating conditions and make sound judgments within established guidelines.

Willingness to

• Perform call-back work as required; occasionally perform duties for periods longer than the normal eight hour work day or more than five days per week.
• Wear a uniform.

Licenses/Certificates

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license and a safe driving record.

View the full job description here: WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PLANT MECHANIC

Exam Process

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral examination process scheduled for Wednesday, December 9, 2026.

Selection Process

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies.

Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for the week of December 14.

Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

Information About Proof of Education

Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts).

A candidate with education obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate's expense to determine its equivalency in the United States. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service.

Additional Information

Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Employees Association (SEA).

Information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail].