Wastewater Facilities Lead Mechanical Technician

Wastewater Facilities Lead Mechanical Technician

Salary

$89,040.00 - $125,304.00 Annually

Location

City of Santa Cruz, CA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

27-014

Department

Public Works

Opening Date

09/17/2026

Closing Date

10/1/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

The current vacancy is for Wastewater Facilities Lead Mechanical Technician in the Public Works Department in the Wastewater Division. Under general supervision, performs the more complex technical tasks relative to the installation, construction, maintenance and repair of industrial mechanical systems at the City's wastewater treatment plant and remote facilities in the Public Works Wastewater Systems Division.

To learn more about the Wastewater division and our award-winning facility, please visit: https://www.santacruzca.gov/Government/City-Departments/Public-Works/Wastewater

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular, Full Time, Part Time, Limited Term, and Temporary Wastewater Facilities Lead Mechanical Technician vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

Recruitment #27-014

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 10/01/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:

• Application - online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.

• Response to supplemental questions - will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 10/05 and 10/12/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 10/23/26

• Week of 10/26 and 11/02/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Basic Function

Under general supervision, performs the more complex technical tasks relative to the installation, construction, maintenance and repair of industrial mechanical systems at the City's wastewater treatment plant and remote facilities in the Public Works Wastewater Systems Division.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Wastewater Facilities Lead Mechanical Technician is the advanced journey level, lead classification of the mechanical technician series in which incumbents are expected to independently perform the full scope of assigned duties under general direction. Incumbents provide lead direction to Wastewater Facilities Mechanical Technician I/IIs, Utility Maintenance Technicians, other staff, temporary workers, and/or consultants. This classification is distinguished from the next lower classification of Wastewater Facilities Mechanical Technician II in that the latter performs the less complex mechanical maintenance work. This classification is distinguished from the next higher classifications of supervisors or managers who have a wider scope of duties and supervise people and manage projects rather than spending a majority of time performing the maintenance work.

Typical Duties

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Develops and carries out an on-going inspection and preventive maintenance program to insure adequate mechanical operation of the treatment and pumping facilities.
• Troubleshoots equipment as referred by work orders or verbal directions; determines necessary repairs; makes recommendations to supervisor regarding actions needed; and performs such work as feasible and appropriate.
• Removes, repairs, and completely overhauls pumps, motors, centrifuges, dewatering equipment, mechanical bar-screens, chlorinators, gas compressors, boilers, valves, blowers, and other types of equipment related to water or wastewater treatment plants and pumping facilities.
• Services and maintains motors.
• Performs the full range of maintenance and repair of the plant's internal combustion engines including effluent CAT engines, cogeneration I & II, and standby generators.
• Performs basic mechanical maintenance and troubleshooting on a variety of electrical equipment related to pumping systems, including motors, manual and automatic control centers, panel-boards and switch indicators and remote control equipment; troubleshoots and performs minor mechanical repairs on electric motors, coordinating work with electrical technicians as required.
• Utilizes a variety of mechanical, welding, plumbing, and machinists tools to fabricate, rebuild, strengthen, and maintain various parts and pieces of plant equipment.
• Fabricates, assembles, and installs special structures and equipment from blueprints, schematics, drawings, or construction diagrams, including rough and finished carpentry work as needed for repair or remodel.
• Performs maintenance on large pipes, valves, and related fittings with diameters up to 54 inches.
• Maintains work records and preventative maintenance records and computer directed preventative maintenance records as required.
• Uses a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) or other computerized monitoring and operating system, to create, schedule, assign and sign-off on equipment maintenance projects.
• Collaborates with engineers, consultants, contractors, and vendors by providing field information for equipment rehabilitation and replacement projects.
• Participates in and provides lead work direction to small crews of maintenance workers in maintenance work assignment.
• Participates and leads in skills and safety training programs; learns and implements safety rules, regulations, and emergency procedures.
• May order supplies and materials as required for completion of various work assignments; prepares and maintains related documents and records.
• May be required to perform duties related to confined space entry and rescue.
• Perform and oversee Lock-out, Tag-out procedures (LOTO).
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires both near and far vision when inspecting work and operating assigned equipment. The need to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 100 pounds is also required. Additionally, the incumbent in this outdoor position works in all weather conditions, including wet, heat and cold. May use chemicals and cleaning products which may expose the employee to fumes, dust and air contaminants. May be exposed to biohazards and/or hazardous chemicals. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to climb ladders, use power tools and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and heavy equipment, work in heavy vehicle traffic conditions and enter confined spaces. Some positions require the incumbent to work both in and around oceanic surf to perform assigned duties. Depending on assignment, the incumbent may be required to respond to after hours emergency call outs and to wear a uniform. An incumbent may perform assigned duties while wearing respiratory protection equipment. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or tested equivalent and,
• Six (6) years of experience in mechanical maintenance work which included the maintenance and repair of industrial machinery and equipment, and,
• Six (6) months performing fabrication welding with arc and gas welding and cutting equipment which may be included in the above required experience or in any other work experience.

Knowledge:

• Techniques, tools and materials used in the maintenance and repair of industrial machinery and equipment including large capacity pumps, motors, valves, gear boxes, centrifuges, compressors, boilers and generators.
• Standard safety procedures related to plant equipment maintenance.
• Electrical operation and troubleshooting of pumps, motors, and generators, to determine problems and service equipment.

Abilities:

• Lead and provide work direction to a small crew of employees.
• Perform the most complex maintenance tasks on wastewater treatment equipment.
• Learn more complex principles, practices, techniques, and regulations pertaining to plant maintenance work.
• Learn to make sound decisions, assimilate, and communicate that information in a manner consistent with the essential job function.
• Maintain, adjust, and repair industrial machinery and equipment.
• Operate hand and power tools used in mechanical maintenance work.
• Recognize unusual or dangerous operating conditions and make sound judgments within established guidelines.
• Read schematics, blueprints, drawings, and construction diagrams.
• Perform mathematical calculations.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Complete and maintain accurate records.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Work effectively as a member of a crew.
• Lead a small crew of employees.
• Act in a courteous and tactful manner with members of the public.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Safely handle hazardous materials.
• Perform assigned duties while wearing respiratory protection equipment.
• Operate a boom truck, dump truck and other similar equipment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must successfully complete the city's respirator fit testing protocols; may be required to be clean shaven.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including holidays, evenings, weekends, and overtime as assigned.
• Willingness to perform call back work and standby duty as required; must remain available to be contacted by phone or pager and be able to report to work within a thirty (30) minute period when standing duty.
• Willingness to wear a uniform.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a Class C drivers license.
• CWEA PM Mechanical Technologist Grade 2 certification within 24 months of date of appointment.
• Possession and continued maintenance of First Aid and CPR certification within one (1) year of appointment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in a wastewater treatment plant or a water treatment plant.

Career Ladder

• Wastewater Facilities Mechanical Supervisor
• Wastewater Facilities Lead Mechanical Technician
• Wastewater Facilities Mechanical Technician II
• Utility Maintenance Technician or Wastewater Facilities Mechanical Technician I

SALARY - This classification belongs to the Service bargaining unit. The current salary range for this position is posted on the City website. See the CITY OF SANTA CRUZ SERVICE EMPLOYEE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING on the City website for details on pay rates and practices.

UNION REPRESENTATION - This classification belongs to the Service Employees bargaining unit. All employees within this unit are represented by the Service Employees International Union.

APPOINTMENT - Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire to non-sedentary positions. 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. Candidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to regular positions are subject to a six-month probationary period (unless specified as 12-month by Service Employees MOU) which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period. 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.

LEAVE

Vacation - 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.

Sick - 12 days/year

Holidays - up to 11 days/year

Floating Holidays - 24 hours per year - prorated for part-time

INSURANCE - (available to employee and eligible dependents)

Medical - Depends on plan selected; City generally pays 95% of the cost of coverage (pro-rated for part-time).

Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program - City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage (pro-rated for part-time). Plus an additional $29.50 per pay period.

Life - City provides a $20,000 life insurance policy.

Long Term Disability - City provides a long term disability plan.

RETIREMENT

All new regular employees become members of PERS. Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) 2% @ 62 (3 year average). Prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Employees contribute 9.75% of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis. An employee is vested after 5 years of membership. No Social Security is withheld.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (not all inclusive)

457 Deferred Compensation Plan

Accident Protection Insurance

Bilingual Pay if required by position

Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance

Direct Deposit

Discount Bus Pass Program

Flexible Spending Plans for Health & Dependent Care

Longevity Pay (after 10 years and 15 years)

In lieu Medical Reimbursement of $200 /month (if not participating in City offered Medical Plan)

Shift Differential

Supplemental Life Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

The information included in this listing is subject to change and does not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Leaves and most Insurance contributions are pro-rated for part-time benefited employees.

01

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: The following supplemental questions are designed to obtain specific information regarding your work experience. Please answer each question as thoroughly as possible, as your responses will be utilized to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. For applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, these responses may also be used as an evaluation tool in later stages of the competitive process to determine which applicants will be invited to continue in the examination process. All experience described here must correspond to employers listed in the Work Experience section of your application to receive credit. Please refrain from using AI or computer-generated responses. Applicants are responsible to clearly, completely, and accurately describe their qualifications. You may attach a resume, but this cannot be used in lieu of completing an application. Failure to complete all required questions and/or providing incomplete responses may result in an incomplete application. Do not answer any question with "see resume" and if you do not have any experience and/or education in a given area, please write "N/A."

• I acknowledge that I have read and understood these instructions

02

Do you possess a high school diploma or tested equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03

This position requires possession and continued maintenance of a valid California drivers license. Please select your current license status:

• I have a valid California drivers license.
• I have a valid drivers license issued by another state. I understand that I will be required to obtain a California drivers license prior to appointment, as a condition of employment, if selected for this position.
• I do not currently possess a valid drivers license. I understand that I do not meet the requirement for this position and that this response will eliminate my application from consideration.

04

Please select the appropriate duration of mechanical maintenance experience that you have which includes the maintenance and repair of industrial machinery and equipment. This must be able to be verified by jobs in the employment history section of your application.

• Less than 6 years.
• At least 6 years, but less than 7 years.
• At least 7 years, but less than 8 years.
• At least 8 years, but less than 9 years.
• At least 9 years, but less than 10 years.
• 10 or more years.

05

Based on your answer above, please describe your experience in mechanical maintenance work which includes the maintenance and repair of industrial machinery and equipment, such as large capacity pumps, motors, valves, gear boxes, centrifuges, compressors, boilers and generators. Please be thorough with your response, indicating where you got this experience, duties performed, and how many years in each role. All experience noted here must be reflected in the Work Experience portion of your application in order to receive credit. If you do not have this experience, please answer "N/A."

06

Please select the appropriate duration of experience you have with fabrication welding with arc and gas welding and cutting equipment. This must be able to be verified by jobs in the employment history section of your application.

• Less than 6 months.
• At least 6 months, but less than 1 year.
• At least 1 year, but less than 2 years.
• 2 or more years.

07

Based on your answer above, please describe your experience performing fabrication welding with arc and gas welding and cutting equipment. All the experience detailed here must be reflected in the Work Experience portion of your application in order to receive credit. If you do not have this experience, please answer "N/A."

08

This position requires the possession of/obtaining a California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Plant Maintenance (PM) Mechanical Technologist Grade 2 certificate within 24 months of date of appointment. Please select your current CWEA certification status:

• I currently possess a CWEA Plant Maintenance Technologst Grade 2 certification and have attached a copy to my application.
• I do not possess a CWEA Plant Maintenance Technologst Grade 2 certification, though I accept the requirement to obtain this certification within 24 months of appointment.
• I do not possess a CWEA Plant Maintenance Technologst Grade 2 certification, and I do not agree to obtain this certification within 24 months of appointment. I understand this will eliminate my application from consideration.

09

This position requires the possession and continued maintenance of a First Aid and CPR certification within one (1) year of appointment. Please select your current First Aid and CPR certification status:

• I currently possess a valid First Aid and CPR certification and have attached a copy to my application.
• I do not currently possess a valid First Aid and CPR certification, though I agree to obtain the certification within one (1) year of appointment.
• I do not possess a valid First Aid and CPR certification, and I do not agree to obtain the certification within one (1) year. I understand that this response will remove my application from consideration.

10

This position requires the following: 1) Must successfully complete the Citys respirator fit testing protocols; may be required to be clean shaven. 2) Willingness to work flexible hours, including holidays, evenings, weekends, and overtime as assigned. 3) Willingness to perform on call back work and standby duty as required; must remain available to be contacted by phone or pager and be able to report to work within a thirty (30) minute period when standing duty. 4) Willingness to wear a uniform. I understand and accept these requirements. (NOTE: A "no" response to this question will eliminate your application from consideration).

• Yes
• No

11

Desirable Qualification: While not required, if you have experience in a wastewater treatment facility or a water treatment facility, please detail your experience here. Please indicate the employer name, job title, job duties, and duration of each experience. This experience must be reflected in the Work Experience portion of your application in order to receive credit. If you do not have this experience, please answer "N/A."

Required Question

Employer City of Santa Cruz

Address 809 Center St.

Room 6

Santa Cruz, California, 95060

Phone 831-420-5040

Website http://www.cityofsantacruz.com