Water Utility Worker
Salary
$58,552.00 - $69,700.80 Annually
Location
City of San Diego, CA
Job Type
Varies by Position
Job Number
JH- T12029-202607
Business Area
2000 - Public Utilities
Opening Date
07/03/2026
Closing Date
7/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
JOB INFORMATION
See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.
Water Utility Worker positions lead and participate in the work of a crew engaged in the installation, maintenance, or repair of water and sewer pipeline systems; operate air compressors, pneumatic hammers, power saws, cutters, pipe tapping machines, and other equipment; operate pick-up, crew, and dump trucks; keep records; maintain logs of work in process; 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 benefited employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
Water Utility Worker employees may be required to work day, evening, or weekend shifts for an extended period of time.
Water Utility Worker employees may be required to pass a respiratory fit-test and obtain a confined-space entry certification within six months from the date of hire, and/or operate sewer cleaning equipment.
Water Utility Worker employees who are required to possess a California Class B Driver License and 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.
EXPERIENCE: You must meet ONE of the following options:
NOTES:
LICENSE: A valid California Class C Drivers License is required at the time of hire.
NOTES:
HIGHLY DESIRABLE(S):
Possession of a valid California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Grade I or higher Certificate.
Possession of a valid California Class A or B Driver License and/or Tank Endorsement.
Possession of a valid California DMV medical certificate dated within the last two years.
Experience working in water or sewer systems.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):
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, which may include a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All of these processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test 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 be 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. 14 - July 03, 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.
02
Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?
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?
05
How many years of full-time experience do you have performing construction and repair work as a Utility Worker I or Laborer with the City of San Diego?
06
Describe your full-time experience performing construction and repair work as a Utility Worker I or Laborer with the City of San Diego. 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 a specific area, type "None."
07
How many years of full-time experience do you have in the construction, maintenance or repair of pipeline systems four inches in diameter and larger, for water, sewer, gasoline, natural gas or oil facilities?
08
Indicate in which of the following areas you have full-time experience with pipeline systems four inches in diameter or larger at a water, sewer, gasoline, natural gas or oil facility.
09
Indicate in which of the following areas you have full-time experience in the construction, maintenance or repair of pipeline systems four inches in diameter and larger.
10
Describe your full-time experience in the construction, maintenance or repair of pipeline systems four inches in diameter and larger in the following areas: a. Water; b. sewer; c. gasoline; d. natural gas; e. oil facilities. 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 a specific area, type "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 are required within six months from the date of hire for positions in the Public Utilities Department, except the Water Meter Services Division.
12
Do you possess a valid California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Grade I or higher Certificate?
13
If you stated yes to question #12, please specify what Grade.
14
If you stated yes to question #12, please indicate in which of the following disciplines your valid CWEA Certification is in.
15
Which of the following valid California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) license, and/or endorsement, do you possess?
16
Do you possess a California DMV medical certificate dated within the last two years?
17
Describe your experience working in water or sewer systems. 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.
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/