Entry Level Conservation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $60,105.97 - $80,531.36 Annually
Location : Public Works/Corporation Yard - 111 Amador Street, Vallejo, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 26-AR-13
Department: Water
Opening Date: 09/04/2026
Closing Date: 9/21/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
PLEASE READ THIS BULLETIN IN ITS ENTIRETY
THE POSITION
This recruitment is being conducted to fill one full-time vacancy. The list established by this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and temporary vacancies for up to one year. The department may choose to fill these vacancies at the I or II level, depending on the qualifications of the candidate pool.
The City of Vallejo is seeking candidates for the position of Water Maintenance Worker I/II, as a collaborative member of the City's Water Department. Water Maintenance Workers perform skilled work in the construction, maintenance, and related service activities of water distribution systems and water facilities, including electrical and mechanical services.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Vallejo Water Department is a dynamic organization engaged in growth and positive change for the benefit of our customers and community. The Department provides potable water to 121,000 customers through a highly complex system including multiple raw water sources, three treatment plants, a Sludge Dewatering Facility, 600 miles of distribution pipes, 8 pressure zones, 27 pump stations and 37,000 service connections. Vallejo Water is a Treatment-5/Distribution-5system. In 2017, Vallejo water services transitioned from a division of Public Works, to a standalone Water Department reporting directly to the City Manager. This change gives drinking water-related operations and issues greater visibility and strategic direction for the benefit of rate-payers. The Water Department's strategic goals include: infrastructure reliability, public trust, sustainability, organizational performance and financial viability. The Water Department has six Divisions: Water Treatment, Engineering, Distribution, Watershed and Facilities Management and Administration/Conservation. The Water Quality Division of the Water Department is an important stakeholder in projects unfolding in Vallejo and the Advance Water Treatment Plant Operator is a key member of the team.
THE CITY OF VALLEJO
The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo's delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer's market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America's only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.
SALARY
Water Maintenance Worker I: $28.8971 - $35.124 hourly; $2,311.77 - $2,809.98 bi-weekly; $5,008.83 - $6,088.28 monthly; $60,105.97 - $73,059.38 annual
Water Maintenance Worker II: $31.8527 - $38.7170 hourly; $2,548.22 - $3,097.36 bi-weekly; $5,521.14 - $6,710.95 monthly; $66,253.62 - $80,531.26 annual
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Water Maintenance Worker I/II is a flexibly-staffed class series. Positions are normally filled at the I level. Advancement from level I to the II level is at the discretion of the appointing authority provided that the following criteria are met: (I ) the minimum qualifications and time-in-grade requirements, (2) demonstration of the ability to independently perform the full scope of the assigned duties, and (3) possession of all required licenses and certificates.
Water Maintenance Worker I - This is the entry level class in the Water Maintenance Worker series. This class is distinguished from the Water Maintenance Worker II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may only have one year of general maintenance or construction experience and the possession of a valid California Class C driver license at the time of appointment.
Water Maintenance Worker II - This is the experienced level class that has met training, certification, and license requirements for the position, and are fully competent to perform the full range of the assigned maintenance and construction work. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Water Maintenance Worker I by the performance of the full range of maintenance duties as assigned including the operation of applicable vehicular and stationary equipment and the more complex maintenance and construction tasks. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit, and must obtain and maintain a Class A driver license, a Grade Dl Water Distribution Operator certificate, and a Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester certificate as a condition of employment.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Water Maintenance Worker I
Receives immediate supervision from higher level lead or supervisory personnel.
Water Maintenance Worker II
Receives general supervision from higher level supervisory personnel.
May exercise functional and technical supervision to lower level regular and seasonal/temporary maintenance staff.
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform a variety of skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled maintenance and construction duties related to water distribution and water facilities/electrical and mechanical maintenance, including tanks and reservoirs.
• Operate construction equipment and power tools such as dump trucks, front-end loader, backhoe, grader, paving machine, compressors, jack hammers, paint sprayers, sand-blasters, concrete saws, and welding equipment; maintain hand tools and assigned equipment; perform preventive maintenance on equipment as needed.
• Perform regular inspection on water lines, manholes, operate high velocity jet flusher, video inspection equipment, and vac-all truck to clean, flush, and restore to operating condition.
• Perform service connections to water mains using tapping equipment to install valves, lateral water lines, blow offs, hydrants, and meters; flush and test installation.
• Lay and align pipe; install, repair, and replace manholes, fire hydrants, valves, and meters and meter vaults and boxes; exercise valves according to prescribed schedules.
• Test, disassemble, clean, repair, and calibrate commercial and residential water meters; sand blast and replace worn or faulty parts.
• Locate mains and water services for contractors, utilities, and the general public as required. Interpret water maps for identifying main sizes, types, and locations.
• Chart reservoir and lake height and meter reading. Install, maintain, and repair pressure reducing valves.
• Assist with inspection, diagnosis, location, and repair of mechanical problems on a variety of process equipment including water pumps, electric motors, internal combustion engines, generators, chemical storage, dosing, and supply systems, hydraulic, pneumatic, and regulator-controlled pressure systems.
• Assist with installation/removal, repair, overhaul, and rebuilding of pumps, valves, valve operators, including hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical control systems, motors, meters, tanks, and reservoirs.
• Assist with repair, removal, replacement, and reading of flow meters; the repair of pressure gauges; and the repair of pressure recorders as required.
• Perform a variety of preventive maintenance duties on water treatment and storage appurtenances.
• Maintain and repair shop equipment including hoists, welders, compressors, and various equipment.
• Perform light building maintenance on pump stations, plant buildings, including light carpentry, masonry, and concrete work.
• Assist mechanics in the performance of various mechanical repairs as required, including oil changes, oil filtration, and oil sampling as needed.
• Assist with installation/removal of large mechanical equipment from service on a periodic basis.
• Assist with maintenance of grounds and premise and with inspection duties throughout the watershed and along pipeline and utility right-of-ways; assist with inspection of pump stations and water storage tanks; record data and change charts in paper and electronic log books; assist with inspection of distribution pipelines for leakages and needed maintenance work.
• Cut and dispose of brush for fire protection; maintain fire trails and fire breaks around fencing and buildings; perform controlled bums as required.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance and field repair.
• Install street barricades and cones prior to the performance of street and sidewalk repair activities; direct and control traffic around work sites.
• Utilize proper safety precautions related to all work performed.
• Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Maintain all reports, records, timesheets, and other required paperwork.
• For positions at the II level, handle the most complex and difficult assignments requiring the highest degree of skill.
• For positions at the II level, assist with the training and supervision of lower level and seasonal/temporary maintenance workers.
• For positions at the II level, provide input to the lead workers and supervisors on work processes, safety issues, and efficiency issues.
• Participate in, respond to, and be available for emergency call-outs for periods up to one week at a time.
• Respond to emergency call out within one hour when assigned to standby duty. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Water Maintenance Worker I -
Knowledge of:

• Methods, materials, and equipment used in general maintenance and construction work.
• Safe work practices, including city policies and procedures and local, state and federal regulatory requirements regarding workplace safety.
• Basic mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and percentages.

Ability to:

• Learn to perform unskilled and semi-skilled tasks in a variety of water and general maintenance activities.
• Learn and operate a computer and associated programs used by the department.
• Learn to operate a variety of mechanical equipment in a safe and effective manner in routine situations.
• Understand and follow oral instructions.
• Clean and care for assigned areas and equipment.
• Use and operate hand tools in a safe and efficient manner.
• Perform a variety of heavy manual tasks for extended periods of time and in unfavorable weather conditions.
• Participate in, respond to, and be available for emergency call-outs for periods up to one week at a time.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including the general public.
• Ability to lift 100 lbs.

Water Maintenance Worker II -
In addition to the qualifications for Water Maintenance Worker I:
Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques of construction, maintenance, and repair related to the area of water distribution systems and water facilities maintenance and repair.
• Operational characteristics of mechanical equipment and tools used in the assigned work.

Ability to:

• Perform skilled maintenance, construction, and repair work in the assigned work. Learn and operate a computer and associated programs used by the department.
• Operate a variety of vehicular and stationary mechanical equipment in a safe and effective manner in routine situations.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, and power tools and equipment required for the work in a safe and efficient manner.
• Read and interpret basic maps and blueprints.
• Apply good judgment and practical knowledge to resolve unusual or irregular problems in the area of work assigned.
• Perform duties in a manner to maximize public safety in the area of work assigned.
• Lift1 00 lbs.
• Work safely with dangerous materials.

Experience and Training Guidelines
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Water Maintenance Worker I:
Experience - One year of full-time general maintenance or construction experience.
License or Certificate - Possession of a valid California Class A driver license at the time of appointment is desirable, but must be obtained within the probation period and maintained thereafter as a condition of employment. License must have the following endorsement: air brakes and manual transmission. Additional endorsements for tanker and hazmat at the time of appointment are highly desirable. Individuals must understand that the City may require Class A drivers acquire such additional endorsements during the course of their employment.
Possession of a Grade D1 Water Distribution Operator certificate outlined by the California State Water Resources Control Board at