Water Utilities Worker I/II

Salary : $64,258.69 - $88,976.99 Annually
Location : City of Poway, CA
Job Type: Full time - regular
Job Number: 26-22
Department: Public Works
Division: Water Transmission/Distribution
Opening Date: 06/05/2026
Closing Date: 6/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Definition
The City of Poway is looking for a motivated, reliable, and team-focused individual to join our Water Utilities division as Water Utilities Worker I/II. In this role, you will help maintain, repair, and enhance the City's water distribution systems and facilities to ensure safe, dependable service for our community. This position offers a great blend of hands-on fieldwork, equipment operation, problem solving, and opportunities to develop technical skills in water system operations. Whether you're starting your utilities career or bringing experience to the team, you'll play an important part in protecting water quality, supporting infrastructure, and providing high-quality service to residents and businesses. If you're ready to contribute to meaningful community work, learn valuable skills, and be part of a supportive team, we encourage you to apply!
Water Utilities Worker I: $30.8936 - $37.5508 per hour

Water Utilities Worker II: $35.1935 - $42.7774 per hour
The City is in its final year of a six-year agreement and future negotiated increases for this position include: 7/1/2026 - 5% wage increase
Water Utilities Workers perform a variety of work in the construction, modification, maintenance, and repair of City potable water distribution main and lateral pipeline systems, including complex residential and commercial water meters, valve cans, meter boxes, and water distribution valves. Employees in this classification use and operate a variety of manual and power tools and light to heavy power driven equipment.
Incumbents in this position receive direct or general supervision from the Water Utilities Distribution Supervisor or assigned supervisor; and exercise no direct supervision over staff.

Key Responsibilities
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs construction, maintenance, and repair activities of City water utilities systems and facilities to ensure safe and efficient access for the public, including complex residential and commercial water meters, valve cans, meter boxes, and water distribution valves.
• Performs water meter maintenance, including installing new meters, testing and repairing meters of various sizes, repairing leaks, and replacing meters as necessary; installs service lines for newly developed properties and accounts for the installation of meters for new homes; performs shut-downs of services, as required.
• Performs water valve maintenance, including various types of lines and valves, locating and raising valves that are not exposed, operating automated machines to exercise valves on an annual basis, and updating records following the installation of new valves.
• Flushes water distribution lines to ensure water quality, utilizes chlorine level testing devices, and runs tests for dissolved solids, bacteria, and coliforms.
• Operates and maintains specialized vehicles and a variety of light, medium, and heavy equipment related to the construction, maintenance, and repair of water utilities systems and facilities.
• Operates a variety of hand and power tools and equipment related to work assignment as instructed.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Repairs concrete after water distribution system maintenance, including sidewalk panels and temporary street patches.
• Uses valve-turning equipment to isolate and shut down pre-designated water lines for routine maintenance and in emergency situations; ensures proper shut-down of services by utilizing sounding equipment and flow rates; provides explanations to the public during shut-downs.
• Participates in the City-wide inspection program, including inspecting assigned City infrastructure for safety issues, structural integrity, and possible future work projects and programs, and appropriately marking areas that need to be repaired.
• Monitors contractors working with and around underground services to ensure the work is appropriately performed to code; addresses discrepancies as necessary.
• Maintains public facilities, shop and garage areas, storage sites, and other work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment at the close of the workday.
• Installs street barricades and cones and controls traffic around work sites and special events to ensure safe conditions for the general public and City workers.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.
• Maintains accurate logs and records of work performed and materials and equipment used.
• Maintains attendance and punctuality that is observant of scheduled hours on a regular basis.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements/License or Certificates Required
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Any combination of the following education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this classification

Experience:
Water Utilities Worker I: One year of experience in construction, maintenance, and/or repair of water utilities and/or related facilities, systems, and appurtenances OR an equivalent combination of experience/knowledge/water technology education related to the water/wastewater industry.
Water Utilities Worker II: Three years of experience in construction, maintenance, and/or repair of water utilities and/or related facilities, systems, and appurtenances OR an equivalent combination of experience/knowledge/water technology education related to the water/wastewater industry.


Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade.


Licenses and Certifications:

Water Utilities Worker I:

• Possess or ability to obtain a class A driver's license with a tanker endorsement.
• If no possession of class A driver's license, class C driver's license is required with the ability to obtain a class A driver's license with a tanker endorsement.
• Possess or ability to obtain within first year of employment D1 Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
• Asbestos Handling Certificate, desired.
• Confined Space Certificate, desired.
• Traffic Control Certificate, desired.
• Trench Shoring Certificate, desired.
• Fork Lift certificate, desired.

Water Utilities Worker II:

• Must have possession of a valid class A driver's license with a tanker endorsement is required.
• Must have possession of a D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the SWRCB is required.
• Must have possession of an Asbestos Handling Certificate is required.
• Possession of and ability to maintain a Confined Space Certificate is required.
• Possession of and ability to maintain a Traffic Control Certificate as appropriate to assignment is required.
• Possession of and ability to maintain a Trench Shoring Certificate is required.
• Possession of and ability to maintain a Fork Lift Certificate is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces and around machines, to climb and descend ladders, to operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 100 pounds, or heavier weights with assistance and/or with the use of proper equipment.


ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.


WORKING CONDITIONS
May be required to be on-call and to work various shifts or emergencies on evenings, weekends, and holidays. In case of a City-wide emergency or natural disaster, employees in this class may be required to serve as an Emergency Response Technician.
Examination Process
A completed NeoGov application, including supplemental questions, must be submitted through NeoGov for consideration by the application deadline. Application materials will not be accepted separate from NeoGov or after the deadline.

A FULLY COMPLETED APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND PART OF THE REVIEW AND QUALIFYING PROCESS. QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED COMPLETELY.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of relevant training, education and experience as presented in the application and supplemental questions. The process may include interviews and/or performance tests. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligibility list established, which will be in effect for a period of up to six months. A background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting and a verification of a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles may be required. All appointments are also subject to the successful completion of a pre-placement physical examination that includes a drug screening. Applicants will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. The City of Poway participates in E-Verify. All employees are required by law to sign a loyalty oath to the United States and the State of California Constitution at time of hire.
Notice: Benefits listed below assume full-time (2,080 hrs/yr) status. Benefits for positions considered less than full-time are pro-rated based upon hours and may differ from those indicated.

Vacation - Annual paid vacation as follows: 0-4 years service = 96 hrs/yr; 5-9 years service = 120 hrs/yr; 10-14 years service = 144 hrs/yr; and 15+ years service = 168 hrs/yr. Prior Public Service Credit for vacation accruals may be granted for verifiable experience.

Sick Leave - The City provides 96 hours each year of paid sick leave. There are sick leave incentive and conversion programs available to those who qualify.

Holidays - The City observes 10 holidays each year. Additionally, employees shall be entitled to eighteen (18) benefit day hours each fiscal year. Benefit day hours will be prorated based upon an employee's hire date.

Flexible Saving Account - These are IRS-approved plans, which enables you to have witheld from your paycheck an amount to cover eligible dependent care, and/or certain eligible medical exspenses without being subject to federal income or social security tax on the income used to pay for these benefits. Employees can opt into either the Dependent care or medical expense accounts.

Life Insurance - The City provides group term life insurance equal to 1 1/2 times annual salary to a maximum of $350,000. Supplemental life insurance for employees and family members is available by payroll deduction at reasonable group rates and is portable.

Short & Long Term Disability -
The City provides short-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of your income (up to $2,516) after a 7-day waiting period if totally disabled due to illness or injury.


The City provides long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of your income (up to $10,900) after a 90-day elimination period if totally disabled due to illness or injury.


Retirement - Benefits are provided by the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Classic CalPERS members - 2% @ 60 formula with employees contributing 8% of regular salary. Beginning the first full pay period in July 2024, employees considered "classic" members will contribute an additional 1%. The total employee contribution will be 9%. New CalPERS members - 2% @ 62 formula with employees contributing 50% of the total normal cost; 50% of the total normal cost is currently 7.75%. Beginning the first full pay period in July 2024, employees considered "classic" members will contribute an additional 1%. The total employee contribution will be 9%. The City participates in Medicare, but does not participate in Social Security.


Health Insurance - Poway provides employer-paid group medical and dental insurance for the employee. For medical plans, the City contributes 100% of the cost for employees enrolled in either the Kaiser or CIGNA HMO plans and 60% of the cost for dependent coverage for both HMO plans. The City also has a CIGNA PPO option, and the City covers the premium costs for employees enrolled in the CIGNA PPO equivalent to what the City covers for employees enrolled in the CIGNA HMO, at every coverage level. For dental plans, employees have a choice between an HMO and PPO plan. Family vision insurance is provided at no cost to the employee. An IRS Section 125 plan (Flexible Spending Account) for reimbursement of medical and dependent care expenses is also available.

Deferred Compensation Plan - Participation in a 457 deferred compensation plan is available to all regular employees and is voluntary with a matching City contribution of up to $900. The City also contributes $38.00 per pay period to a 401(a) deferred compensation plan with vesting on a graduated schedule beginning with 2 years service and becoming 100% vested after 6 years.

Tuition Reimbursement - The City may reimburse the actual cost paid for tuition, books and required technical supplies and equipment up to a maximum of $2,000 per fiscal year for eligible employees receiving a grade of "C" or better in approved courses.

Additional Benefits - The City offers additional benefits such as Pet Insurance discounts, Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, and a 9/80 work schedule dependent on your position upon hire.
01


Please indicate if you currently possess any of the following certificates. Please be sure to attach a copy of your certificate to your application.

• Class A commercial driver's license with a tanker endorsement.
• D1 Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
• D2 or higher Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the SWRCB.
• None of these

02


Please indicate which of the following certificates you possess and attach copies to your application.

If you do not possess any of the following certifications, please mark "Not Applicable".

• Class A Driver's License
• CPR/First Aid
• Traffic Control certificate
• Fork Lift certificate
• Not Applicable

03


Please describe your professional experience in water utilities construction, maintenance and/or repair. List years of experience and from where the experience was gained.Please note, this experience must be included the "Work Experience" section of your application in order to be considered.
Required Question