Utilities Maintenance Mechanic - Welding

Job Title

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.

Job Description

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

Comprehensive compensation plan.

Benefits

• 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

Essential Duties

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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

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.

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.