About the Department

JOIN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY!
We welcome veteran or transitioning military to apply
The San Diego County Water Authority is an independent public agency that serves as San Diego County's regional water wholesaler. The mission of the Water Authority is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to its 22 member agencies serving the region's $268 billion economy and 3.3 million residents.
The Water Authority is executing a long-term strategy to diversify the region's supplies, make major investments in the region's water delivery and storage system, and improve water use efficiency. Through dynamic leadership, thoughtful planning, and prudent fiscal policies, the Water Authority is cost effectively managing the region's water portfolio, while continuing to diversify supplies to enhance current and future reliability.
The Operations & Maintenance Department
The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Department is responsible for operating the Water Authority's aqueduct delivery system; ensuring facility security and emergency preparedness; and maintaining and managing the fleet and various other assets. Specifically, the department controls water deliveries to meet member agency demands; manages dam and reservoir operations; ensures water quality; oversees water treatment plant and power generation operations; maintains all vehicles and heavy equipment; provides electro-mechanical support; implements the Asset Management Program (AMP); complies with all applicable environmental regulations; and develops and manages computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and system maintenance programs.
The Facilities Maintenance Division
The Facilities/Maintenance division is responsible for repair and construction activities on the aqueduct system. In addition, the division performs maintenance activities focused on the aqueducts' facilities, buildings, property grounds and access roads.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a skilled and safety-conscious maintenance professional who can confidently operate and maintain a variety of construction equipment, vehicles, and tools to support the upkeep of the Water Authority’s aqueduct system and facilities. They bring hands-on experience in grounds, building, and mechanical maintenance, along with the ability to perform tasks such as framing, concrete finishing, plumbing, HVAC work, welding, and metal fabrication.
This candidate thrives in outdoor, physically active work and can skillfully operate equipment such as dump trucks, graders, backhoes, loaders, mowers, skid steers, mini excavators, cranes, forklifts, trenchers, and manlifts. They take pride in maintaining safe and functional facilities, including flow control stations, pump stations, reservoirs, rights-of-way, and access roads.
The ideal candidate values teamwork, works effectively with minimal supervision, and is ready to respond to after-hours emergencies when needed—playing a key role in keeping critical water delivery systems operating smoothly for the region.
Position Duties
Salary Information
Maintenance Worker I: $33.17 - $44.61 / hour ($68,993.60- $92,786.72Annual)
Maintenance Worker II: $38.47 - $51.73 / hour ($80,011.36- $107,604.64Annual)
The position may be filled at either level, depending on candidate qualifications.
The Maintenance Worker I/II (Facilities Maintenance) plays a vital role in keeping the San Diego County Water Authority’s aqueduct system, facilities, and properties in top working condition. This position is responsible for a wide range of hands-on tasks, including construction, installation, repair, and preventive maintenance of pipelines, equipment, buildings, and grounds.
Using both heavy and light construction equipment, vehicles, and tools, Maintenance Workers support the upkeep of pump stations, flow control facilities, reservoirs, rights-of-way, access roads, and other critical infrastructure. Work includes activities such as grading roads, repairing drainage systems, performing concrete and carpentry work, welding, vegetation management, and maintaining HVAC and plumbing systems.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Maintenance Worker I is the entry-level unskilled laboring class in the Maintenance series. Initially under direct supervision, incumbents learn and perform a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tasks and duties involved in the construction, installation, maintenance and repair of the Water Authority's aqueduct pipeline system and related facilities and equipment. This class is alternately staffed with Maintenance Worker II, and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency that meet the qualifications for the higher-level class.
Maintenance Worker II is the semi-skilled class in this series. Under general supervision, incumbents perform the full range of assigned duties, requiring sound judgment with regard to appropriate and safe procedures and practices. Employees are frequently required to work without direct supervision, following instructions and established guidelines and procedures to complete assignments. Incumbents are rotated through the division's several sections in order to learn all of the various assignments and tasks performed by the division. This class differs from Maintenance Worker I in the skill level required and the incumbents' knowledge of the Water Authority's systems, equipment, facilities, standards and procedures. The Maintenance Worker II class is alternately staffed with the Maintenance Technician class, which is the skilled, journey-level class in the Maintenance Worker/Maintenance Technician series. Incumbents in the Maintenance Worker II class may advance to the Maintenance Technician class after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency that meet the qualifications for the higher level class.
Representative DutiesThe duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.
- Performs unskilled and semi-skilled work in the construction, installation, repair and maintenance of the aqueduct pipeline and related equipment and facilities.
- Drives vehicles to work sites and sets up and removes barricades to protect crews from street traffic; directs traffic in roadways to protect crews; loads dump trucks and pickup trucks and hauls debris and material to dump sites.
- Installs, maintains and repairs fences, gates, culverts, drains and pipes, sprinkler systems and erosion control installations; posts signs along Authority property and rights-of-way; installs and repairs window bars and locks on gates and doors.
- Sprays, cuts, disks and removes trees, brush, weeds, rubbish and other materials which may pose fire or water pollution hazards from Authority-owned property and rights-of-way.
- Maintains meter and valve stations, shops, restrooms, offices and other facilities in a clean and safe condition.
- Works in vaults and other confined spaces, utilizing proper safety techniques and equipment in accordance with Authority and departmental safety policies and procedures.
- Operates light- and medium-duty motorized vehicles and equipment, such as dump trucks, pickup trucks, skip loaders, backhoes, mowers, sprayers, weed eaters and a variety of other hand, hydraulic and power tools and equipment; checks condition of equipment; cleans and maintains tools and equipment used in the field and shops; fuels vehicles; inspects and performs safety checks on vehicles and equipment; cleans vehicles and equipment; reports the need for vehicle and equipment repairs.
- Paints piping, curbs, walks, gates, building interiors and exteriors, and other equipment and facilities; assists in maintaining, repairing and making alterations to buildings, facilities and equipment.
- Inspects, cleans, grades, maintains and repairs aqueduct system access and service roads; patches, repairs and resurfaces asphalt roads and lots.
For further details regarding the duties, responsibilities, and qualification guidelines for each class specification, please click on the following links: Maintenance Worker I/ Maintenance Worker IIWorking Hours and Schedule: Employees assigned to work at the Escondido office work a 4/10 schedule, Monday – Thursday, during normal business hours. Normal business hours are 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Minimum Qualifications
The qualification guidelines generally describe the knowledge and ability required to enter the job in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.
Maintenance Worker I
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by one year of experience in utility or public works-related maintenance and construction work. Possession of a State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate D-1 is desirable.
Maintenance Worker II
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by one year of experience equivalent to the Maintenance Worker I position. Possession of a State of California Water Distribution Operator Certificate D-1 is required.
Licenses and Other Requirements
- Driver's License & Insurability: A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Water Authority's Vehicle Insurance Policy.
- Mandatory Physical & Drug Test: The applicants selected will be given a contingent offer of employment pending the outcome of a post-offer physical and drug test.
- 24-Hour Call Out:Employees in this classification are subject to 24-hour call out.
Other Qualifications
To be considered for this position, please submit an employment application and supplemental questionnaire by Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be evaluated in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. The selection process may consist of an appraisal interview, writing exercise, and/or other appropriate screening devices.
To ensure timely and successful navigation, please consider applying early if you are new to the governmentjobs.com application system. For technical assistance with the online application system, please review the Government Jobs online application guide, or contact their toll-free applicant support line at (855) 524-5627. If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Patricia Duran, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at (858) 522-6663.
The San Diego County Water Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy status), gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability (whether perceived or actual), ancestry, military or veteran status, citizenship status, medical condition, and/or national origin.
Should you have any questions regarding the recruitment process or require accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Patricia Duran, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at (858) 522-6663.