Water Utility and Maintenance Technician I/II

City of Encinitas; Encinitas (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The San Dieguito Water District, part of the City of Encinitas Utilities Department, seeks a Water Utility & Maintenance Technician to join the team. You will perform maintenance, installation, and testing of water services, mains, hydrants, and related appurtenances while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

You will read meters, troubleshoot leaks, and document work using handheld devices and software systems; training and growth opportunities are available within a collaborative,

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED plus one year of construction or related field experience.
• Knowledge of water utility maintenance practices, safety procedures and recordkeeping.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment and perform manual labor safely.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance, repair, installation, and testing of water services, mains, valves, hydrants, and related appurtenances.
• Read and exchange meters; maintain records using handheld devices, laptops, and software systems.
• Troubleshoot and repair water leaks, breaks, and distribution system issues.
• Install new water services, fire services, mains, hydrants, fittings, and related infrastructure per standards.
• Operate and maintain vehicles and heavy equipment safely.
• Perform confined space entry, atmosphere testing, line location, traffic control, and safety procedures.
• Document work via service requests, work orders, and digital systems; track materials and labor.
• Respond to customer inquiries; address water quality or pressure issues.
• Participate in or lead projects; train lower-level staff; ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature related to water utilities.

Skills

Water utility maintenance

Heavy equipment operation

Troubleshooting

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma / GED

Tools

Handheld devices

Laptops

Meters & test equipment

Job description

The San Dieguito Water District is seeking a motivated and skilled Water Utility & Maintenance Technician to join the City's Utilities Department.

Water Utility and Maintenance Technicians are assigned to San Dieguito Water District (SDWD) Utility Department and perform a variety of skilled technical duties related to water utility systems, including maintenance, repair, installation, and operation of water mains, services, meters, fire hydrants, valves, and related appurtenances. Advancement is based on a combination of experience, skills, certifications, demonstrated performance, and the ability to perform the duties outlined in this classification.

• Performs maintenance, repair, installation, and testing of water services, mains, valves, fire hydrants, meters, backflow devices, blow-offs, pressure reducing stations, and related appurtenances.
• Reads meters, exchanges meters and service appurtenances, and maintains records using handheld devices, laptops, and software systems.
• Troubleshoots and repairs water leaks, breaks, and distribution system issues.
• Installs new water services, fire services, mains, hydrants, fittings, thrust blocks, and related infrastructure per Water Agency Standards (WAS) and District specifications.
• Operates and maintains vehicles, heavy equipment (e.g., backhoe, bobcat, loader, dump truck), and tools safely.
• Performs confined space entry, atmosphere testing, line location, traffic control, and safety procedures.
• Documents work via service requests, work orders, and digital systems; tracks materials and labor.
• Responds to customer inquiries, starts/turns off service, and addresses water quality or pressure issues.
• Participates in or leads small to large projects, coordinates assignments, trains lower-level staff, and ensures compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature related to water utilities.

Applicants must have Knowledge of:

Water utility maintenance practices, safety procedures (traffic control, confined space, trenching), customer service, recordkeeping, and relevant equipment/tools; Customer service principles; Basic recordkeeping techniques; Applicable maintenance practices related to concrete, asphalt, signage, tree trimming, traffic control, water utilities, masonry, and/or other applicable trades; A variety of heavy equipment and tools; Safe work practices.

Applicants must have Ability to:

Operate heavy equipment and tools; Troubleshoot leaks/system issues; Perform manual labor; Complete paperwork and documentation; Provide customer service; Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work as well as coworkers and supervisors; and ensure regulatory compliance. High School Diploma, or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.), plus one year of experience in construction or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

License Requirements

• Valid California Driver's License
• Successful completion of safe driving, CPR and First Aide courses within six months
• DEH Distribution 1 Certification.
• Traffic Control and Flagger Certification.
• Confined Space Entry Training.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING PHYSICAL SKILLS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, twist, climb, push, pull, and exert in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, vibration, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards; ability to travel to different sites and locations, availability for shift work, on-call, stand-by, and emergency call.

The City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District provide equal opportunity employment for all persons without regard to race, color, religion/religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, age, physical disability, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, political affiliations, veteran status, Family Leave Act status, AB60 CA Driver's License status or status with pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding. The City and Water District encourage minorities, disabled persons and women to apply. Qualified applicants who move to the next level of the selection process must notify the Human Resources Office if accommodation is needed. A thorough background check will be conducted for the candidate(s) seriously considered for the position including fingerprinting and reference checking. A contingent job offer may be given pending the results of medical evaluation, which includes a physical, TB test and drug and alcohol screening. Applicants will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.