Maintenance Machinist Helper - Port of San Francisco (7434) at City and County of San Francisco

Appointment Type: This is a Permanent Exempt (PEX), Full-Time position with an anticipated duration of up to three (3) years. This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive civil service examination process and incumbents are considered “at will” and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.  

Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below: 

• Application Opening: 09/23/25
• Application Deadline: 10/07/25
• Annual Compensation Range: $79,794- $96,876 
• Recruitment ID: RTF0156906-01156684

The Port of San Francisco is an enterprise agency of the City and County of San Francisco and is governed by a Commission of five members appointed by the Mayor. The Port Commission is responsible for overseeing a broad range of waterfront commercial, maritime, and public access facilities that are held in public trust for the people of California. The Port’s jurisdiction covers approximately 7.5 miles of waterfront land from Pier 98, near Hunter’s Point in the southern part of San Francisco, to Fisherman’s Wharf in the northern part of the City.

The Port’s diverse business portfolio includes over 550 ground, commercial, retail, office, industrial and maritime industrial leases including cargo shipping, layberthing, excursion boats, ferry boats, fishing and fish processing/distribution, tourism, filming, harbor services, and cruise operations. With some of the most flexible cargo handling facilities on the West Coast, as well as naturally deep water, the Port can handle various types of cargo such as, dry-bulk, neo-bulk, roll-on/roll-off, and project cargoes.

The Port of San Francisco has many internationally recognized landmarks such as Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, the Exploratorium, the Ferry Building and Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team. With its unique and historic properties, the Port is home to a variety of tenants and uses. The Port Commission over the last five decades has led a remarkable transformation of the Port; maintaining its industrial maritime heritage while developing new uses, including commercial and public activities, that have helped San Francisco remain one of the most visited and popular cities on the globe.

For more information about the Port of San Francisco, visit SFPort.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

The Maintenance Machinist Helper plays a key supportive role while training, working closely under the supervision of the Maintenance Machinist to assist with the maintenance, and upgrading of essential harbor infrastructure at the Port of San Francisco. This includes supporting the maintenance and installation of surface-mounted and submersible sewer pump systems that are vital to harbor operations. The Helper’s duties include assisting with equipment maintenance, cleaning, and preparation of critical components to ensure operational efficiency and safety, all while learning and developing skills on the job.

The work is performed in a dynamic and physically demanding environment that includes piers, docks, shipyards, and water-based facilities. The Helper will often work in confined spaces, at heights, or near water, using specialized tools, equipment, and safety gear under the guidance of a skilled machinist. This position is to ensure infrastructure remains in optimal condition, minimizing downtime, and supporting the Port’s commitment to safety, reliability, and environmental compliance.

As part of the role, the Maintenance Machinist Helper is designated as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW) and may be required to respond and perform duties during emergencies and disasters, in accordance with California Government Code and the City and County of San Francisco policies.

The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to: 

• Assisting with Pump System Maintenance: Supports the Machinists in dismantling, installing, aligning, and calibrating sewer pumps, upgrading systems, and replacing seals, bearings, shafts, and gaskets.
• Cleaning and Surface Preparation: Assists in cleaning, pressure washing, and bead blasting of equipment, parts, and infrastructure to ensure proper maintenance and preparation for repairs.
• Shop Maintenance: Helps maintain the shop area, ensuring tools, equipment, and materials are properly organized and stored.
• Quality and Safety Checks: Assists in conducting tests to ensure systems perform optimally and comply with Port safety standards.
• Equipment Maintenance: Assists in maintaining cranes, hoists, gangways, and other harbor equipment while organizing tools and materials.
• Vehicle Operation: Drive vehicles as needed to transport tools, equipment, and materials to various job sites.
• Documentation and Communication: Follow instructions, check emails and submit time sheets and job updates digitally.
• Safety and Compliance: Adhere to Cal/OSHA regulations, use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and work safely in hazardous environments.
• Physical Duties: Climbs ladders, operates cranes and rigging tools, and lifts/moves objects weighing over 70 pounds.
• Proficiency in Use of Computer: Checks email and other forms of electronic communication to communicate, enters and submits time sheets online through the employee portal; reads and responds to emails and/or texts.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Nature of Work

This position will involve exposure to wet, windy, and noisy environments, as well as water, oil, marine contaminants, and raw sewage in confined, dark, or elevated spaces. Candidates must demonstrate physical endurance, mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to changing work conditions while ensuring safety and reliability in harbor operations. Incumbents may be required to work varying hours and/or shifts, including weekends, evenings and holidays in a 24 hour/7 days-a-week operation.

Experience

One (1) year of fulltime verifiable mechanical maintenance experience as a Machinist Helper or experience in a comparable position working in a shop setting involving the operation and maintenance of machinery. Examples are: an automotive machine shop helper, sheet metal shop helper or blacksmith helper; OR

An equivalent combination of training or coursework in a shop trade or craft totaling a minimum of 200 hours. Training or coursework may be gained from an apprenticeship program, an accredited high school, a trade school or through the military.

License 

Possession of a valid California driver’s license (to be presented at time of appointment). Insurability under the Port’s automobile liability insurance must be maintained throughout employment. 

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Desirable Qualifications (Ideal Candidate): The stated desirable qualifications listed below may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring:

The ideal candidate is a collaborative team member who takes pride in supporting machinists and craft workers to keep critical harbor systems operating safely and efficiently. They bring a willingness to learn, a strong work ethic, and the ability to maintain tools, equipment, and shop spaces in an orderly condition. The ideal candidate is dependable, communicates effectively both verbally and digitally, and demonstrates initiative in keeping up with safety, equipment, and procedural training.

Verification: Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications. 

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.  All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. 

Selection Procedures: Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience and education. Additional mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine candidate’s qualifications.  Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited to continue in the selection process.  

Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.sf.gov/ and begin the application process. 

1. Select the “Apply Now" button and follow instructions on the screen. 

Recruitment Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please send your inquires to Vitra Thai at [email protected].

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received. 

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.