Utility Worker I or II Continuous Posting

Salary: $32.95 - $45.41 Hourly
Location : San Diego, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 00317
Department: Operations
Section: Utility Maintenance
Opening Date: 02/05/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


General Duties


The District regularly has openings for the Utility Workers due to promotion of employees within and to other departments. The District regularly interviews and maintains an eligibility list for upcoming vacancies. We encourage you to apply for this great opportunity. The District currently has two (2) vacancies.

Compensation
Utility Worker I: $32.95 - $41.18/ hr.

Utility Worker II: $36.32 - $45.41/ hr.
Ideal Candidate
Are you an experienced Utility Worker with knowledge of construction and maintenance of water distribution, wastewater collection, reclamation and related facilities? Can you safely operate medium and heavy-duty motorized vehicles and equipment, jackhammers, drills, electric and pneumatic powered tools? If so, we would like to hear from you.

We welcome veterans and transitioning military. Are you a former member of the military with experience as a Utilitiesman (A.K.A. Seabees, UT), Water Support Technician, Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance Technician, Combat Engineer, or similar occupation? If so, we encourage you to apply. Consider joining a team of hardworking employees who work to protect and preserve water, one of our most valuable natural resources. The experience you've gained during your service can continue to positively impact the world with a career at Otay.

The Otay Water District offers excellent benefits, a balanced work/life environment and is a leader in the industry.

About the Position and Department The position may be appointed at either level depending upon qualifications and experience. The position reports to the Utility Maintenance Supervisor and performs work in the construction and maintenance of water distribution, wastewater collection, and reclamation facilities.

The Operations Department is responsible for the operations, maintenance and repair of all Otay Water District facilities and equipment. Facilities include pipelines, reservoirs, pump stations, lift stations, and a reclamation plant for potable water and recycled water distribution, wastewater collections, and wastewater reclamation. The Operations Department has a staff of approximately 57 employees.

Applications are continuously accepted for this position. The District regularly reviews applications and maintains an eligibility list for upcoming vacancies. For information on the recruitment process, please go to the Employment section of our website or click here

Examples of Duties
Essential Functions:

• Operates light, medium and heavy-duty, motorized vehicles and equipment, backhoes (for light duties such as loading and unloading dump trucks, job site cleanup, etc.), forklifts, Vactor truck, jackhammers, drills, electric and pneumatic powered tools and similar equipment and tools. Performs safety inspections of equipment; cleans and maintains tools and equipment.
• Digs with various hand tools, such as shovels and digging bars.
• Operates cement mixers, compressors, compactors, and concrete saws.
• Lays out materials for job. Lays pipe. Mixes, pours and finishes concrete. Repairs pavement.
• Loads and unloads trucks.
• Sets up or assists with set up of traffic control at work site in accordance with crew leader's or supervisor's instructions.
• Assists on maintenance and construction projects at all District facilities.
• Works in vaults and other confined spaces utilizing proper safety techniques and equipment.
• Assists in the preventative and corrective maintenance of the water distribution system, wastewater collection and recycled water system and appurtenances such as water mains, hydrants, valves, meters, sewer mains and laterals.
• Assists in making repairs or replacing inoperative sections of water/wastewater and recycled water systems.
• Sets up shoring in trenches. Backfills and tamps trenches. Repairs or replaces inoperative sections of pipe.
• Installs large and small water meters and water/sewer laterals.
• Repairs and cleans reservoirs and water tanks.
• Installs and repairs fire hydrants, water and fire services, valves, air-vacs, blow-offs and other similar appurtenances.
• Assists in performing wet taps.
• Paints piping, building interiors and exteriors, and other equipment and facilities.
• Operates District vehicles and equipment.
• Shares in rotational standby duties which includes being available 24/7, weekends and holidays.
• Responds to emergencies as required during and after normal work hours.
• Identifies and recommends opportunities for improvement.

Utility Worker II duties also include:

• Maintains documentation logs of the cleaning and inspection of the wastewater collection system in order to be in compliance with regulations.
• Documents maintenance on all District appurtenances.
• Assumes responsibility for quality of work performed by a crew and the safety of crew members in the absence of a Senior Utility Worker, Crew Leader and/or Supervisor.
• Performs related work of Utility Worker I as required.
• Assists in implementing and executing the District's strategic plan.

For the complete job description go to the Employment section of our website or click here

Required Licenses and/or Certifications


Both levels require a Valid California Class C Driver's License with a safe driving record and a valid California Class A Driver's License and required endorsements is required within twelve (12) months of appointment.


Utility Worker I: A Water Distribution Operator Certificate D-1 issued by the California State Water Resource Control Board is desired. CWEA Collection Systems Maintenance Technologist Certificate Grade I desired.

Utility Worker II:
A Water Distribution Operator Certificate D-1 issued by the California State Water Resource Control Board is desired. CWEA Collection Systems Maintenance Technologist Certificate Grade I required if the employee is assigned to the collection system cleaning crew on a long-term basis.

Minimum Experience, Education, and Training Requirements


Both levels require a High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Utility Worker I:
One (1) year of experience working in construction, or construction maintenance. Experience in water, wastewater, or water reclamation systems construction highly desirable.

Utility Worker II:
Two (2) years experience in the construction and/or construction maintenance in water, wastewater or recycled water systems or related experience.

This position will be subject to random drug testing during employment.
This is an hourly, non-exempt position.
Otay Water District is a Smoking, Tobacco and Nicotine Free Campus.
All Otay Water District employees are at-will pursuant to California Water Code, Section 71362.
Notice: Benefits listed below assume full-time regular status. These benefits do not apply to temporary appointments.

Scheduled salary increases include the following:

• July 1, 2024: 6% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 14, 2025: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 13, 2026: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• Annual Merit Increases: Eligible employees are eligible for 3% merit increase on an annual basis until they reach the top of their salary range, based on meeting expectations on their performance review.

Vacation: 12 days/year, increasing to a max of 23 days/year.

Sick Leave: 8 days/year, increasing to max of 15 days/year.

Paid Holidays: 14 days/year, including employee's birthday and two floating holidays.

Alternative Work Schedule: A 9/80 work schedule may be available based on the needs of the department. Upon approval, employees would work 80 hours over 9 days and enjoy one day off every two weeks. Some Operations department staff may be subject to a 4/10 work schedule (four 10-hour days within a week).

PERS Retirement: The District contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement plan that includes a lifetime benefit determined by a set formula (years of service, age at retirement, and final compensation). Employees hired after January 1, 2013, are subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).

Employee Contributions:
New Member (hired on or after 1/1/13 who are new CalPERS members or do not have reciprocity with CalPERS):

• Are enrolled in the 2% at age 62 formula based on the employee's 36 months of highest average annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.
• District and employees share the normal employee CalPERS service contribution cost. Employees contribute 7.5% of salary toward the employee CalPERS service contribution cost up to the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.

Classic Member (hired before January 1, 2013, or who have reciprocity with CalPERS):

• Are enrolled in the 2.7% at age 55 formula based on the employee's single highest year annual compensation.
• Employees contribute 8% of salary towards the employee CalPERS service contribution cost.

The District is also a Social Security participant and the District and employee make contributions.

Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (457 Plan): Optional plan designed to provide employees with additional retirement income. Employees may elect to contribute a portion of their income on a pre-tax or post-tax basis through payroll deductions.

Medical/Rx Insurance: Choice of Blue Shield PPO, EPO, HMO or Kaiser HMO plans, 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% for dependent(s).


Dental Insurance: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% paid for dependent(s).

Vision: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 0% for dependent(s).

Flexible Benefits Plan: The District offers a healthcare and dependent care flexible benefits plan. The healthcare account reimburses the employee on a pre-tax basis for medical, pharmacy, dental and other related expenses not covered by the insurance plans. The dependent care account allows employees to pay for employment-related dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

Group Term Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: 100% premium paid by the District for employee and eligible dependent(s). Depending on employees' annual earnings and/or position, amounts of Life and AD&D insurance range from $15,000 to $50,000. Eligible dependents have life insurance coverage of $1,000.

Voluntary Life Insurance: Employees may elect to cover themselves and eligible dependents for voluntary life insurance. The full cost of this insurance is paid by the employee via payroll deductions

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance: The District provides short-term and long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of your income after a 30-day elimination period (90-day elimination period for long term disability) if totally disabled due to illness or injury.

Education Reimbursement Program: Employees are eligible to receive reimbursement for District approved courses not to exceed $3,000 per fiscal year.

Certification Incentive Program: Eligible District employees that obtain target certifications that exceed the minimum job requirements may qualify for either a base pay percentage increase or receive a monetary incentive.

Employee Assistance Program: Provides confidential referrals and counseling concerning personal, family, or work-related issues for employees and their dependents.

Free Onsite Workout Facility: The District has a fully equipped exercise room for employees to use before work, after work or during lunchtime.

Yoga Classes: On-site Yoga classes are offered during the lunch hour at the employee's expense.

Retirement Benefits:
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) effective September 1, 2024: A Health Reimbursement Arrangement is an interest-bearing, employer-funded account created in your name to reimburse you tax-free in retirement for eligible medical expenses and premiums. Otay Water District makes deposits of employer contributions and mandatory employee contributions while you are employed, but you will not be able to access funds until retirement or separation of service, having met Otay Water District's vesting requirements.

Tier II Eligibility for All Full-time Regular Employees Hired On or After September 1, 2024:
All full-time, regular employees hired on or after September 1, 2024, will participate in a mandatory HRA Plan. The District and the employee will make contributions to the HRA Plan.

The District will contribute $4,000 annually to the employee's HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District for a maximum period of twenty (20) years. The employee will contribute $1,000.00 annually (or $40 per pay period for the first twenty-five (25) pay periods of the calendar year) to their HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District. There is a vesting schedule for this Plan as set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Otay Water District Employees Association, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.
01


We are accepting applications on a continuous basis for Utility Workers. Please select which type of employment you are interested in?

• Full-time Regular and Temporary
• Full-time Regular Only
• Full-time Temporary Only

02


Which best describes the highest level of education completed?

• I do not have a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• I have a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• I have some college-level coursework.
• I have an Associate's Degree.
• I have a Bachelor's Degree or Higher.

03


Which best describes your field experience working in construction or construction maintenance?

• I have less than 1 year of experience.
• I have 1-2 years of experience.
• I have 3-4 years of experience.
• I have more than 4 years of experience.

04


Please elaborate on what field duties you have performed in construction or construction maintenance and indicate where on your application you have obtained this experience. Please do not say "See Resume" or "See Application" as your application will be considered incomplete. If you don't have this type of experience, please type in "N/A".
05


Do you have at least two (2) years of experience working in the construction or maintenance of Water, Wastewater, or Recycled Water Systems?

• Yes
• No

06


If you indicated that you had experience with construction or maintenance of Water, Wastewater, or Recycled Water Systems, state where on your application you have obtained this experience. Please do not say "See Resume" or "See Application". If you do not have this type of experience, please type "N/A".
07


Which best describes the highest grade level of the VALID Water Distribution Operator Certificate that you possess as issued by the California State Water Resource Control Board?

• I do not possess a valid Water Distribution Operator Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 1 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 3 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 4 or higher Water Distribution Operator Certificate.

08


Which best describes the highest grade level of the VALID Collection System Maintenance Technologist Certificate that you possess as issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA)?

• I do not possess a valid Collection System Maintenance Technologist Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 1 Collection System Maintenance Technologist Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 2 Collection System Maintenance Technologist Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 3 Collection System Maintenance Technologist Certificate.

09


Utility Worker I and II both require a valid California Class A Driver's License and required endorsements within twelve (12) months of appointment. Applicants are subject to a DOT pre-employment drug test (urine test), which includes testing for THC, as a condition of employment. DOT cutoffs will be used. In addition, these positions will be subject to random drug testing during employment. Do you understand these requirements?

• Yes
• No

10


Do you possess a commercial driver's license (CDL)?

• No
• CDL Class B
• CDL Class A

11


Do you possess the following Endorsements for your commercial driver's license?

• I do not have any endorsements.
• I have a tanker endorsement.
• I have an air brake endorsement.
• I have both a tanker and air brake endorsement.

12


What type of commercial vehicles have you driven? If none, please type "N/A".
13


What else would you like to tell us that would make you the ideal candidate?
Required Question