Maintenance Helper - Hourly

Maintenance Helper

This is part-time, temporary, at-will employment. This position does not qualify for full time benefits. May work up to 29 hours per week, up to a maximum of 960 hours in a fiscal year. This recruitment will close on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. or once we receive the first 50 applications, whichever occurs first.

Under supervision, performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled tasks involved in the maintenance, repair or servicing of City buildings and facilities, City streets, sidewalks, sewers, storm facilities, parks, recreation areas and open spaces; operates trucks and heavy equipment; uses a variety of hand and power tools and equipment; performs related duties as required.

Class Characteristics: The Maintenance Helper is an entry level classification assigned to public works or parks maintenance areas which include streets and sidewalks, water and sewer systems, traffic signs and signals, municipal buildings, parks, recreation areas and other facilities. Supervision Received: Works under the lead direction of a higher-level maintenance worker or under the supervision of a maintenance supervisor. Supervision Exercised: Does not exercise supervisory responsibilities.

Examples of Essential Functions

Depending on assignment, essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists with preparation of surfaces for painting; applies paint, varnish, shellac, enamel or other protective finishes to various surfaces.
• Removes graffiti from City, public, private and commercial properties using appropriate solvents; paints surfaces covering graffiti; participates in community neighborhood clean-up activities.
• Assists with routine plumbing, electrical and carpentry maintenance and repair.
• Assists with the repair and maintenance of streets, curbs, gutters, driveways and storm drains; breaks up concrete and/or asphalt surfaces; digs, shovels, hauls and loads and unloads soils, sands, asphalt mixes and other materials.
• Assists with installation, repair and maintenance of water distribution system.
• Assists with routine maintenance of parks, grounds and recreation areas, including watering, weeding, planting, ball field marking and trash pick-up.
• Operates hand, power and heavy equipment related to maintenance; may perform routine maintenance on equipment; cleans up work sites upon completion of jobs.
• Assists with traffic sign repairs and replacement, traffic striping and legend painting; provides maintenance and refurbishment barricades; assists with sewer maintenance operations.
• Sets out cones, signs, barricades and flags at work sites for safety purposes and to secure from traffic.
• Completes log of work performed; may prepare records to note facility conditions and equipment use.

Minimum & Desirable Qualifications

Training and Experience: Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. A typical way of obtaining the knowledge and abilities would be any combination of graduation from high school or equivalent and six (6) months of experience in maintenance work using a variety of tools. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California Class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record is required. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: methods, materials and equipment used in general maintenance work; safety regulations related to maintenance work. Ability to: use hand tools appropriately; operate mechanical and power equipment; make minor repairs to fixtures and equipment; work safely and independently; understand and follow oral and written directions; organize various work tasks; generate and maintain accurate work records; perform physically demanding work; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with supervisors, other employees and the public.

Other Important Information

California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System: An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis to the City of South Gate. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles. Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, bend, crouch, talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds and is subject to vibration. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is sometimes noisy. Work requires regular exposure to traffic, fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals. Incumbents are occasionally exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Recruitment Process: Application Packets Must Include: A fully completed online employment application which:

• Covers at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience).
• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
• Must be specific in describing your qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.
• Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any phase of the application or selection process must advise Human Resources and make such a request during the application process. Every effort will be made to provide a reasonable accommodation where requested.

Selection Process: All application materials received by the application deadline will be reviewed and evaluated. All information supplied by applicants is subject to verification.

1. Application Review: The first phase will be a detailed review and appraisal of each candidate's application. This phase is for qualifying purposes only. There is no weight assigned to this phase. Those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may be invited to the next phase.
2. Written Examination (pass/fail): If a written exam is given, a minimum of 70% must be obtained on the written exam in order to be eligible to continue to the next phase of the selection process which will consist of an oral appraisal interview.
3. Oral Appraisal Interview (100%): A minimum of 70% must be obtained to pass the oral appraisal interview. The top 10 qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral interview phase of the selection process.
4. Employment Eligibility List: The Employment Eligibility List will be established after completion of the examination process. Current and future vacancies will be filled from this list. Lists typically last for 12 months, but may be extended or abolished in accordance with the City's Hiring Policy.

Pre-employment Process: The City supports a Drug-Free Workplace. All potential employees are required to successfully complete a thorough background investigation, fingerprinting, and pass a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening). New employees must complete a verification form designated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services, that certifies eligibility for employment in the United States of America.

Hiring of Relatives: Relatives of existing employees by blood or marriage will not be eligible for employment with the City if potential supervision, safety, security, or morale problems exist; or if potential conflicts of interest exist. Relatives include an employee's parents, children, spouse, brothers, sisters, in-laws, and step relationships. The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of South Gate is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability (mental or physical), medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, or pregnancy), sexual orientation (including homosexuality, bisexuality, or heterosexuality), or military or veteran status in its employment actions, policies, procedures, or practices.

The City of South Gate is a busy urban community consisting of residential, commercial, and industrial development, spread over 7.41 square miles. It is currently ranked the 79th largest city in California with a population of approximately 97,000. Strategically located along the 710 freeway, the City is just 12 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.