Plant Technician III

Job Information

Plant Technicians III positions lead the work of an assigned crew; perform skilled repair, maintenance, overhaul, and installation of water and wastewater treatment plant and pump station machinery and equipment including: Air compressors, high pressure hydraulic systems, pumps and piping systems, chemical feed equipment (including but not limited to sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, ferrous and ferric chloride), boilers, heat exchangers, and diesel and gasoline powered engines; install and align heavy motors and equipment; provide training and lead group work in repair activities; manage work orders in computer system; maintain records; complete forms and reports; procure water and wastewater system repair supplies, materials or equipment from various vendors; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by AFSCME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases: 3.5% effective 7/1/27, 2% effective 7/1/28, 2% effective 1/1/29.
• Plant Technician III employees may be required to work on an on-call basis, for which they may receive 5% additional pay.
• Eligible benefited employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Plant Technician III employees must remain clean-shaven and be able to pass a respirator fit-test for entry into confined spaces and chlorine environments.
• Plant Technician III employees will be required to obtain and maintain confined space entry certification within six months from the date of hire.
• Plant Technician III employees may be required to work overtime, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Work involves exposure to noxious chemicals and other hazardous substances.
• Plant Technician III positions may also require work in a sewage or chlorine environment, in high places, tanks or channels, and confined spaces.

Minimum Requirements

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

EXPERIENCE: Three years of full-time experience maintaining, overhauling, repairing, and installing mechanical equipment at a water treatment facility, wastewater facility, major pump station, or industrial processing facility employing similar technology. Qualifying experience MUST include working on pumps, valves, and piping systems.

• Preventive maintenance work alone is NOT qualifying (e.g., changing oil, lubricating, or removing and replacing parts).
• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver's License is required at the time of hire.

• Some positions may require a valid California Class B Driver's License by the end of the probationary period.
• Plant Technician III employees who operate commercial vehicles are required by California State Law, as a condition of employment, to submit to drug and alcohol testing.
• Before you are hired, a background check will be conducted through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and with former employers to verify drug and alcohol testing results.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Experience in maintaining, overhauling, repairing, and/or installing dewatering centrifuges, compressors, gear drive units/speed reducers, chemical feeders, and small gasoline/diesel engines and blowers.
• Experience and training in Predictive Maintenance Technologies.
• Experience and training with computer programs/software.
• Possession of a valid California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Plant Maintenance Mechanical Technology Grade II or higher certification.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION): For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) must be provided if used to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.

Screening Process

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

Supplemental Information

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.

Rev. 4 September 18, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)