Utilities Maintenance Mechanic - Welding

Salary : $117,374.40 - $143,540.80 Annually
Location : Municipal Services Center, 3201 East Bayshore, Palo Alto, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 202601365
Department: Utilities Department
Opening Date: 05/12/2026
Closing Date: 6/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
(The application deadline has been extended to June 2, 2026)

The Department
Palo Alto is the only city in California that offers a full array of utility services (electric, gas, water, sewer, fiber) to its citizens and businesses. Because of this, the City has a unique opportunity to partner with the Palo Alto community to enjoy the benefits and achievements of reliable, home-grown, and environmentally-focused utilities. Palo Alto has a tradition of over 100 years of successful public utility operations. It is a tradition that continues to provide the Palo Alto community with safe and reliable utility service, local decision-making over policies, utility ratemaking, environmental programs, and customized services. Learn more about the .

Career Opportunity
The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) is seeking a skilled professional with strong mechanical and welding skills to repair, maintain, and fabricate construction equipment and tools supporting Water-Gas-Wastewater Operations.
This position is responsible for inspecting, operating, and maintaining water and gas distribution valves to ensure safe and reliable operation during emergencies and daily operations. Duties also include welding on gas distribution systems, mechanical units, and various tools and parts, as well as documenting maintenance and inspection activities in compliance with Federal Department of Transportation regulations.

Ideal Candidate

• Strong mechanical skills with experience repairing and servicing small engines, tools, and equipment
• Welding experience, including MIG (Metal Inert Gas), SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding), and TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) processes
• Knowledge of safe work practices and procedures, including proper use of PPE in accordance with safety policies and regulations
• Ability to comply with Federal, State, and City safety regulations
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings related to fabrication work, as well as pressure and vacuum gauges
• Ability to fabricate custom parts, tools, and equipment as needed
• Ability to work with hazardous materials, including methane, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and solvents/thinners, following all safety protocols
• Willingness to work emergency call-outs, including occasional weekends and holidays
• Ability to travel to different work locations and work in inclement weather conditions

Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan. To learn more, click .


Benefits: The City offers a fantastic benefits package including:

• Schedule: 9/80 schedule, Monday through Thursday, 6:30am - 4:00pm and Fridays 6:30am- 3:00pm with every other Friday off
• Professional development: Tuition reimbursement, leadership training, and career growth opportunities
• Education benefits : Potential enrollment for dependents in the Palo Alto Unified School District (pilot program, subject to change)
• Childcare support : $10,000 in childcare subsidies (pilot program, subject to change)
• Commute benefits: Incentives for walking, biking and taking transit to work. The City of Palo Alto participates in the Clipper Bay Pass program ( Employee Cost: $5 per month)
• Defined-Benefit Retirement Plan: with competitive pension benefits

To learn more about benefits, click.
This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).
Essential Duties
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Inspects, repairs and maintains equipment used in performing operation, maintenance and construction activities, including air relief valves, water-gas valves and fire hydrants.
• Troubleshoots electrical/mechanical malfunctions on items such as pumps, motors, compressors and electric lighting circuits/controls via functional test, visual inspection and other tests and checks to identify cause and action needed.
• Visually and mechanically inspects, cleans and orders all parts needed during overhaul.
• Rebuilds and reassembles units and checks operation and tolerances as necessary as units are redone.
• Functionally checks mechanical and/or electrical functions of newly installed units after properly setting controls by cycling equipment through proper sequences while visually/mechanically checking functions.
• Manufactures as necessary such things as plumbing, connectors, feed lines, brackets, shafts, tools, wood blocks, boxes and supports.

To review full job description, click

Minimum Qualifications


Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License
• Completion of 12th grade and 2 years experience in related shop practices
• Willing to work overtime or on-call 4-8 hours per week for emergency repairs
• Work weekends occasionally
• Work in different locations
• Travel locally and out-of-town to pick up parts and attend training
• Attend meetings during work for work assignments and safety meetings
• Work with dangerous substances such as methane, H2S, thinner
• Provide own safety shoes
• Wear safety gear

For Water-Gas-Wastewater:

• Ability to pass drug test as mandated by the Department of Transportation anti-drug program.
• Must become certified to weld on natural gas lines within the first six months of employment and continue certification yearly.

Supplemental Information
Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

Shop environment or travel from site to site; exposure to dust, noise, grease, fumes and inclement weather; exposure to heights and voltage; some climbing, stooping, heavy lifting and inspecting in confined areas; work around heavy equipment; may work in confined spaces.
The Selection Process:

• Recruitment status notifications will be sent via email or text (please enroll in text alerts when applying).
• Updates can also be found on your governmentjobs.com account.
• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time.
• The screening process for this position includes a panel interview and skills assessment preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
• An eligible list may be established from this recruitment and may be used to fill future vacancies for up to six (6) months, or until the list has been exhausted.

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at View phone number on click.appcast.io between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
See our Benefits at a Glance Booklet for more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking
01


Do you possess a valid CA driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02


Have you completed the 12th grade?

• Yes
• No

03


How many years of experience do you have in related shop practices (mechanical repair, fabrication, welding, or equipment maintenance in a shop environment)?

• Less than 2 years
• 2 to 4 years
• 5 or more years

04


Please describe your welding experience, including the types of welding processes you have used (MIG, SMAW, TIG) and the type of work performed.
05


Please describe your experience as a Maintenance Mechanic performing repair and maintenance on engines, tools, and mechanical equipment.
06


Why are you interested in this position?
Required Question