Water Agency Senior Maintenance Worker

Salary : $86,698.96 - $105,378.69 Annually
Location : Santa Rosa, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26/06-5086-OWA
Department: Sonoma County Water Agency (WTR)
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Closing Date: 6/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 10


Position Information
Do you have sanitation and maintenance experience?
Apply now to join our team as a Water Agency Senior Maintenance Worker!
Note: At time of hire or promotion, the candidate for this assignment must possess a California Water Environment Association's (CWEA's) Grade I, a National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) Pipeline Assessment Certification, and Cal/OSHA training on working in confined spaces and excavations.

At Sonoma Water, Senior Maintenance Workers repair and maintain flood control channels, streams, creek banks, and water and wastewater treatment facilities; clean and inspect sanitary sewer lines; perform a variety of semi-skilled, light and heavy manual construction and maintenance tasks; and lead work crews under the direction of a Lead Maintenance Worker or Coordinator. This position operates both light and heavy equipment including motor graders, backhoes, bulldozers, power shovels, loaders, elevating scrapers, large rollers, and similar tools as well as combo and tanker trucks and rodders. This position will also be responsible for:

• Operating combination high-velocity jetter/vac trucks for routine and emergency sewer cleaning
• Operating CCTV camera vans to inspect sewer pipelines and documenting defects using inspection software
• Performing maintenance on sewer collection system infrastructure, including manholes, pipelines, and service laterals
• Responding to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs): containment, cleanup, and field documentation
• Leading small work crews on collection system maintenance and repair projects

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, the required California Class A Commercial Driver's License and will also possess many of the following:

• Experience operating combination jetter/vac trucks and CCTV inspection vehicles
• Knowledge of municipal sewer collection system operation and maintenance practices
• Experience with confined space entry procedures and associated safety protocols
• Familiarity with NASSCO PACP (Pipeline Assessment Certification Program)/MACP (Manhole Assessment Certification Program) pipeline inspection standards
• The ability to read and interpret as-built drawings and use GIS-based mapping tools

Possession of one or more of the following licenses/certifications is desired but not required:

• California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Grade D1 or
  higher and/or a Water Treatment Grade T1 or higher
• California Water Environment Association Grade II or III Collection System
  Maintenance Certificate
• Lateral Assessment Certification
• Manhole Assessment Certification

About Sonoma Water
Sonoma Water is a special district formed by the California State Legislature in 1949 and is responsible for providing a safe and reliable water supply to its customers in Sonoma and Marin counties. Sonoma Water also maintains 75 miles of flood control channels and provides sanitation services. Employing approximately 250 employees, Sonoma Water consists of four divisions, including Engineering & Resource Planning, Environmental Resources, Business Services & External Affairs, and Water/Wastewater Operations & Maintenance. Sonoma Water supports the concept of environmental sustainability, focusing on renewable power sources, and strives to be a leader in its water use efficiency and fishery restoration programs.

Employees of Sonoma Water are employees of a special district and are not subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance of the County of Sonoma.
What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the and our


Sonoma Water is currently recruiting to fill a Water Agency Senior Maintenance Worker position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Minimum Qualifications
Experience and Education : Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this would include three years of experience in construction, maintenance, mechanical, and/or vegetation habitat management work; two years of which have been at the level of a Water Agency Maintenance Worker II.

Licenses and/or Certifications: The specific licenses and/or certifications vary, depending on assignment and on the timing of when they are required. However, once obtained, all required licenses/certifications must be maintained throughout employment in the assignment within this classification.

Driver's License: A valid State of California Class A Commercial Driver's License, including any valid and appropriate California Endorsement(s) (e.g. tanker endorsement), is required upon employment and must maintained throughout employment in this classification.

Water/Wastewater Assignments: Incumbents must possess a California Water Environment Association's (CWEA's) Grade I, a National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) Pipeline Assessment Certification, and Cal/OSHA training on working in confined spaces and excavations at the time of hire or promotion. The CA the Distribution Operator (D1) and the CWEA Grades II and III certifications are highly desirable for these assignments.

Vegetation Management Assignments: An International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Board Certified Arborist or Arborist Municipal Specialist, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation's Agricultural Pest Control Advisor License, and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tress Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) are highly desirable for these assignments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of : depending on assignment, operational characteristics of a diverse range of heavy equipment used in water distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, and flood control maintenance, repair, installation, and construction; general construction materials, safety practices, and tools commonly used in area of assignment , including types, styles, and sizes of pipes, parts, and fittings; principles and practices of a diverse range of skilled trades areas such as carpentry, irrigation, drywall, asphalt, concrete, plumbing, fencing; and related areas; water and wastewater system functions and structures, flood control and collection system pipe laying procedures; vegetation management practices and regulations; occupational hazards and standard safety practices of water distribution, of wastewater collection and treatment, and of flood control maintenance, repair, installation, and construction; methods and techniques of using CCTV equipment to diagnose and resolve sewer line issues; safe working protocols, practices, techniques, and related equipment including those for working in confined spaces, close to high voltage, at heights, close to traffic, and handling hazardous materials; USA methods and techniques; methods, materials, and procedures used in bedding, backfilling, and black topping; materials and procedures used in repairing and replacing concrete structures; methods, equipment, and procedures used in water and wastewater system line cleaning; repair, preventive maintenance, and safe operations of trucks, hand, and power tools, and light construction equipment and sewer systems standards as specified in California Uniform Plumbing Code.

Working knowledge of : principles of lead direction and training; hazards in working in wastewater and wastewater collection system standards as specified in the California Uniform Plumbing Code; methods, materials, safety procedures, and tools used in water and wastewater construction and maintenance and in vegetation management; the safe and correct operation and preventive maintenance of heavy and light equipment, machines, and power tools; and English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and composition.

Ability to : lead and review the work of assigned crew members; safely operate a wide range of heavy and light equipment used in the construction, maintenance and repair of wastewater collection and water distribution systems and in vegetation management; perform a variety of light and heavy semi-skilled and skilled manual maintenance and construction tasks for extended periods under unfavorable weather conditions; work in confined underground spaces; understand and follow oral and written instructions; follow safety policies and procedures; accurately complete report forms; work effectively with other employees and the public; speak, read, and write English at a level appropriate for successful job performance; perform basic arithmetic calculations.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination ( weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate's personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant's name, former last name, address, phone number, email, driver's license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.

Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax View phone number on click.appcast.io), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT


HR Technician: VH
Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: General*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit


IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at or View phone number on click.appcast.io.

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
01


How did you first learn about this opportunity?

• BC Water Jobs
• CA Water Jobs
• Careers in Government
• College or University
• Craigslist
• DiversityJobs
• Employee of Sonoma County
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Indeed
• Instagram
• Job Fair
• Latino Service Providers
• LinkedIn
• Press Democrat
• sonoma-county.org/
• Sonoma County Human Resources Office
• Sonoma County Job Line
• Start Here!
• X (Twitter)
• Veterans Services Office
• Women's Organization or Group
• Other Internet Site
• waterdistrictjobs.com

02


Please indicate if you would also be interested in future part-time or extra-help (temporary, intermittent, or seasonal employment) positions should they become available. Check all that apply.

• I would also like to be considered for future part-time positions
• I would also like to be considered for future extra-help positions
• I am only interested in full-time positions

03


This eligible list may be used for future bilingual (English/Spanish) positions. Please indicate if you are interested in bilingual positions and your level of proficiency.

• Yes, I have basic (conversational) English/Spanish bilingual skills
• Yes, I have fluent (reading, writing, and conversational) English/Spanish bilingual skills
• No, I do not have English/Spanish bilingual skills, and/or I do not wish to be considered for a bilingual position

04


Do you possess a valid State of California Class A Commercial Driver's License, including any valid and appropriate California Endorsement(s) (e.g. tanker endorsement)? Please Note: A California Class A Commercial Driver's License is required upon employment and must be maintained throughout employment in this classification.

• Yes
• No

05


A California Water Environment Association's (CWEA's) Grade I, a National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) Pipeline Assessment Certification, and Cal/OSHA training on working in confined spaces and excavations are required for this position. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

06


The following certifications are not required at time of application submission, but they are desired. Please select all certifications you currently possess:

• California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Grade D1 orhigher and/or a Water Treatment Grade T1 or higher
• California Water Environment Association Grade II or III Collection SystemMaintenance Certificate
• Lateral Assessment Certification
• Manhole Assessment Certification
• None of the Above

07


For this question and all subsequent questions, please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications. Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using specific criteria and may be reviewed by hiring managers.Please describe your three years or more years of experience in construction, maintenance, mechanical, and/or vegetation habitat management work; two of which have been at the equivalent level of a Water Agency Maintenance Worker II. For each position, please include your:

• Job title
• Employer's name
• Dates of employment (mm/yy to mm/yy)
• Primary responsibilities

08


Please provide a summary of your experience in the following areas, and describe the types of related projects you worked on for each listed category:

• Sewer collection system operation and maintenance
• Combination jetter/vac truck and CCTV inspection vehicle operation
• Sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) response, containment, and field documentation

09


Please describe your experience training, leading, and/or supervising others. Detail your role, responsibilities, and the number and type of positions you lead.
Required Question