Cement Finisher

Cement Finisher

Salary

$80,038.40 - $95,908.80 Annually

Location

City of San Diego, CA

Job Type

Varies by Position

Job Number

SI-T11960-202607

Business Area

N/A - Multiple Departments

Opening Date

07/31/2026

Closing Date

8/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

JOB INFORMATION

See NOTE(S) below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

Cement Finisher positions participate in the work of a crew in site preparation for a variety of concrete projects; read and interpret plans and standard drawings; design and build forms; place and finish concrete projects such as catch basins, curbs, cross gutters, sidewalks, steps, storm drains, vaults, walls, and other similar concrete projects using floats, jointers, screeds, trowels, and other tools; repair broken concrete; complete forms; drive pick-up, flat-bed, and small dump trucks; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by AFSME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:

• 3.5% effective 7/1/27

• 2% effective 7/1/28

• 2% effective 1/1/29

• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).

• Cement Finisher employees may be required to work overtime, including weekends and holidays.

• Some Cement Finisher positions are required to pass a medical physical, respiratory fit test, and obtain Confined Space Certification within six months from date of hire. Employees will be required to obtain and maintain Confined Space Certification to retain employment.

• Cement Finisher employees who operate commercial vehicles are required by California State Law, as a condition of employment, to submit to drug and alcohol testing. Prior to hire, a background check will be completed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and with former employers regarding drug and alcohol testing results.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: You must meet ONE of the following options:

• Successful completion of a state-accredited three-year Cement Mason Apprenticeship Program.
• Three years of full-time cement finishing experience under the direction of a journey-level cement finisher. Qualifying experience MUST include reading plans and drawings, building and setting forms, and finishing cement on a variety of concrete projects.

NOTE:

• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License is required at time of hire.

NOTE:

• Some positions may require a valid California Class B License AND a valid California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) medical certificate dated within the last two years at the time of hire or within six months of hire.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Experience in operating a Transit and/or Laser Level used in the layout and construction of curbs, gutters, sidewalks and other infrastructure improvements.
• Experience installing masonry retaining walls and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb ramps.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):

• Proof of apprenticeship completion, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: (619) 533-3337; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.

SCREENING PROCESS

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.

Rev. 1 - July 31, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)

City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.

Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City's Police Academy, will participate in the City's Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS).

Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.

Flexible Benefits Plan Options for Employees Represented by Local 127 or review the Benefits Summary for Local 127 Employees.

01

I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Résumés are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?

• Current city employee
• Former city employee
• Current & former city employee
• None of the above

03

If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR.

04

The minimum age for this job is 18, unless you are 17 and a high school graduate. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?

• Yes
• No

05

Have you successfully completed a state-accredited three-year Cement Mason Apprenticeship Program? NOTE: Attach proof of apprenticeship completion to your application.

• Yes
• No

06

How many years of full-time cement finishing experience do you have under the direction of a journey-level cement finisher?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

07

In which of the following areas do you have full-time cement finishing experience under the direction of a journey-level cement finisher?

• Reading plans and drawings.
• Building and setting forms.
• Finishing cement on a variety of concrete projects.
• None of the above.

08

Describe your full-time experience reading plans and drawings under the direction of a journey-level cement finisher. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."

09

Describe your full-time experience building and setting forms under the direction of a journey-level cement finisher. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."

10

Describe your full-time experience finishing cement on a variety of concrete projects under the direction of a journey-level cement finisher. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."

11

I understand that a valid California Class B Driver License AND a valid California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) medical certificate dated within the last two years may be required at the time of hire or within six months of hire.

• Yes
• No

12

Describe your full-time experience operating a Transit and/or Laser Level in the following areas: a. Curbs; b. gutters; c. sidewalks; d. other infrastructure improvements. For each area, specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent on each area and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."

13

Describe your full-time experience installing masonry retaining walls. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."

14

Describe your full-time experience installing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb ramps. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."

Required Question

Employer City of San Diego

Address 1200 3rd Ave., Suite 300, MS 51P

San Diego, California, 92101

Phone (619) 236-6400

(619) 236-6358

Website http://www.sandiego.gov/empopp/