Utility Worker

Salary : $67,267.20 - $101,774.40 Annually
Location : Padre Dam Operations Bldg 9120 Carlton Oaks Drive, Santee, CA
Job Type: Full Time Permanent Employee
Job Number: 2026-00021
Department: Operations
Division: Construction & Maintenance
Opening Date: 09/08/2026
Closing Date: 10/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
Join Padre Dam Municipal Water District as a Utility Worker and build a career that makes a difference in your community! This hands-on position is ideal for someone who enjoys working outdoors, operating equipment, solving problems, and being a part of a skilled team that keeps essential water and wastewater services running safely and reliably. Utility Workers perform a variety of construction, maintenance, and repair activities, including installing and repairing water, sewer, and recycled water pipelines; maintaining valves, manholes, pump and lift stations; operating equipment such as dump trucks, vactor trucks and closed-circuit television equipment; performing emergency repairs; and restoring streets and work areas following construction. We're looking for dependable, safety minded individuals with construction experience who are ready to learn, develop specialized skills, earn industry certifications, and grow within the Utility Worker career path. If you take pride in a hard day's work and want a rewarding career serving the community, we encourage you to apply!

Successful Candidates will be invited to perform a written and skills test early to mid-October 2026 with interviews being held early November.

This position is eligible for appointment within the following Salary Grades:

• Salary Grade 17 - $32.34 - $45.79
• Salary Grade 19 - $34.60 - $48.93

The Position:

Incumbents are responsible for installation, repair and maintenance of water and sewer systems and related components. Duties may include: working alone or as a member of a crew in installing and repairing water services and fire services; maintaining mains and valves; installing and repairing sewer mains and laterals; performing maintenance of manholes, mains and laterals; maintaining and repairing recycled water pipelines; performing wet taps on mains under pressure; performing basic maintenance of pump stations, reservoirs, valves, sewer trunk lines, force main, lift stations and influent pump station; operating equipment as assigned including the closed circuit television truck and vactor truck; responding to and performing emergency repairs for water and sewer problems; removing and replacing concrete and asphalt; constructing walls and fences; performing general yard cleanup; and, repairing damages resulting from vandalism.


Incumbents in this class may be required to work flexible hours and/or extended work shifts including weekends and holidays, work a rotating one-week standby shift, and respond to after-hour calls.

To view the complete job classification description for this position, click here:
Knowledge, Skills, Training, Experience & Licensing
Training/Experience Required:

1. High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) and one year experience in basic construction, preferably underground construction; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Incumbents must be insurable and pass a background check.

Licensing Requirements:

1. Valid California Driver's License: Class "A" required within one year of hire. Class A must be maintained through employment.
2. At least a minimum of one of the following licenses or certificates:
   1. Water Distribution Operator Grade 1 certificate from the State Water Resources Control Board within one year of hire. Grade 2 is preferable.
   2. CWEA (California Water Environment Association) Collection System Maintenance Grade 1 certificate required within one year of hire; Grade 2 is preferable.
   3. Grade D2 and/or C2 are required to move into higher Utility Worker salary grade levels.

Supplemental Information
Learn more about our mission, vision and the high-level services we provide - scan the QR code above or click HERE to view our 2025 Annual Report
Health Insurance:
Employees have three plans from which to choose. Two HMO plans are 100% paid by Padre Dam for the employee and 90% for all eligible dependents; one PPO plan is partially paid by Padre Dam. Coverage is effective the first of the month after hire. Employees have the option to waive coverage and receive 50% of Padre Dam's cost savings as cash compensation. In order to waive benefits, you must show proof of other ACA eligible coverage.


Dental Insurance:
Padre Dam pays the total premium costs for the employee and all eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first of the month after hire.


Employee Assistance Program:
Employees and their dependents have access to confidential, third-party personal counseling, financial, legal and work-life services at no cost.


Flexible Spending Accounts:
Padre Dam employees may elect annually to set aside pre-tax dollars to cover health care or dependent care expenses.


Life Insurance:
Employee Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance is provided at 1½ times annual salary with a maximum benefit of $250,000. Dependent coverage of $5,000 is also provided. Total premium costs are paid by Padre Dam for the employee and all eligible dependents.


Short & Long Term Disability:
Padre Dam provides Short & Long Term Disability for the employee at 66 2/3% of monthly gross income. The Short Term Disability benefit is payable after 31 days and the Long Term Disability benefit becomes payable after the 91st day if there is a qualified disability.


Voluntary Benefits :
Employees have access to additional voluntary benefits such as Critical Illness Coverage, Pet Insurance and Identity Theft Protection. Employees are responsible for the entire cost of premiums of these plans.


Vacation:
New employees accrue 12 days per year for 1 to 4 years of service. Additional days are earned with additional years of service.


Sick Leave:
All employees accrue 12 days per year. Employees who accumulate and maintain a sick leave bank in excess of 240 hours may, on an annual basis, sell back up to 40 hours of unused accrual hours.

Holidays:
Employees enjoy 12 paid holidays per year.

Retirement:
Membership is compulsory in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Benefit formula for new CalPERS members is 2% @ age 62. Benefit formula for classic CalPERS members is 2.5@ age 55.

Social Security/Medicare :
Employees are covered under provisions of Federal Social Security and Medicare.


Deferred Comp Plan:
An optional deferred income plan is available which allows current income to be set aside as supplemental retirement savings.

Salary Adjustments (2022-2027):
Padre Dam provides an annual Cost of Living Adjustment of 3.25% on the first pay period of each fiscal year. In addition, Padre Dam offers a pay for performance merit system. Annually, on the anniversary date of the employee, an evaluation will be done that may include an increase in salary in alignment with performance.


Tuition Reimbursement :
After the probationary period, full-time and part-time employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week may apply for tuition reimbursement benefits.


Workforce Partnership (Pipeline) :
Padre Dam MWD encourages broad based participation in the organization's decision making process. Employees are encouraged to participate, voice opinions, share ideas and give feedback and collaborate.


This brief summary of benefits is provided for informational purposes only. This summary is intended to be accurate but it's not an official plan document and has no legal or binding effect as an expressed or implied contact. This summary does not alter or amend any provisions of the District's Standard Practices & Policies or any Memorandum of Understanding between the associations. Should you have any questions in regards to this summary, please contact the Human Resources department at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
01


Applicant Acknowledgement: Padre Dam's Human Resources Department uses email to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their employment application. As an applicant, you are hereby advised of the following: 1. It is your responsibility to ensure the email address you provide is current and readily accessible to you. 2. It is your responsibility to check your email to ensure you do not miss any deadlines established as part of the recruitment process. 3. It is your responsibility to read all Padre Dam emails carefully and follow instructions, if any. If you experience technical difficulties please contact NEOGOV Customer Support at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Please be aware that Padre Dam's recruitment deadline is firm and we will not accept applications after the deadline has passed.

• I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.

02


Your responses to the questions below will be used to determine your eligibility to advance in the recruitment. An incomplete application or referencing your application in lieu of answering any of the supplemental questions will be cause for disqualification from the recruitment process. Changes can not be made to your application once it's submitted so please ensure that the information you provide is accurate and complete.

• I acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to the above.

03


There are certification requirements for this position. Certifications must be obtained within one year of hire. Please mark the level of any certification you currently hold. If you have certifications, please also upload copies of the certifications with your application.

• Water Distribution Grade I
• Water Distribution Grade II
• Water Distribution Grade III
• Water Distribution Grade IV
• Water Distribution Grade V
• Water Treatment Operator I
• Water Treatment Operator II
• Water Treatment Operator III
• Water Treatment Operator IV
• Water Treatment Operator V
• Collections Systems Grade I
• Collections Systems Grade II
• Collections Systems Grade III
• Collections Systems 0Grade IV
• None of the above

04


Please indicate which of the following you have had at least one year of hands on experience with. If you indicate you have experience in any of these areas, this must also be reflected in the work experience section on your job application.

• Installing and repairing water services
• Maintaining and repairing sewer mains and laterals
• Installing wet taps under pressure
• Confined Space Entry and/or hazardous gas testing
• Removal and replacement of concrete or asphalt
• Construction of walls/fences
• Repairing damage due to vandalism
• Traffic Control
• None of the Above

05


The work schedule for this position is typically a 9/80 workweek which is 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday -Friday with alternating Fridays off. Availability for after hours emergencies is required and some night work may also be required. By acknowledging below you agree that you understand this schedule and are available to work these hours.

• I have read, understand, and if selected, will be able to fulfill the responsibility described above.
• I have read, understand, and if selected, will NOT be able to fulfill the responsibility described above.

06


How do you keep yourself organized with all of your daily tasks?
07


Do you currently have a Class A License?

• Yes
• No

Required Question