Good Neighbor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Description A 5% Encampment Clean up Differential will apply. Overview: Help protect Valley Water's waterways and public spaces through hands-on fieldwork that removes trash, debris, and hazards throughout Santa Clara County. Join the Good Neighbor Team and make a direct impact while operating equipment, supporting cleanup crews, and maintaining safe, clean environments.

The Maintenance Worker II (limited term) position on the Good Neighbor Team plays a critical role in the continued implementation and enforcement of Valley Water's Water Resources Protection Zone Ordinance, assisting in the removal of unauthorized encampments as well as the trash and debris in and around encampments at location countywide. The Maintenance Worker II performs cleanups by hand, or by utilizing light equipment, and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to cleanups near encampments. This role ensures proper disposal of hazardous materials per Valley Water guidelines; drives, maintains, and operates a variety of vehicles including trash compactors; work with contract labor crews and provides oversight; and removes blockages and instream trash rafts, among varied other tasks.

Our Commitment: We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water: Valley Water's mission is to provide Santa Clara County with safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy. The FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget of $1.284 billion supports approximately 876 employees. With headquarters in San Jose, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community

Who We Are: To learn how Valley Water provides safe, clean water and environmental stewardship for the Santa Clara community, please click here Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Assist in trash and debris removal including encampment generated trash, debris, and hazardous pollutants; ensure proper disposal of hazardous materials as established by Valley Water. Install signage and construct and repair fences. Check job sites for potential hazards; determine precautions for equipment operation; operate power tools and light equipment and perform assignments in compliance with safety regulations.

Operate and maintain a variety of maintenance equipment such as hand, air and power tools, generators, and compressors. Haul equipment to and from job sites; inspect equipment, make operating adjustments, and perform minor preventive maintenance and repair. Ideal Candidate's Background Includes: Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position.

To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below. Ideal Experience: Four (4) years of construction or field maintenance experience. Experience working around encampments or with unhoused individuals is ideal.

Ideal Skills and Abilities: Learn operational characteristics and limitations of light construction equipment. Learn pertinent laws and regulations including state and local Department of Transportation codes relating to the operation and transport of light construction equipment. Read and interpret maps, engineer drawings, and specifications.

Perform traffic control functions. Perform maintenance of hand and power equipment and tools. Ideal Knowledge: Practices, procedures, methods, tools, and equipment used in the construction, maintenance and repair of raw water distribution and flood protection facilities.

Operational characteristics of construction equipment and materials. Methods and techniques of concrete finishing. Operational characteristics of maintenance, hand and power equipment and tools.

Occupational hazards and standard safety practices. Ideal Training and Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. LIMITED TERM POSITION: The assignment period will be up to 2 years and such time period may be adjusted as needed by Valley Water management.

If the limited-term appointee is internally hired, the appointee will be subject to Valley Water's Limited Term policy, reassignment process, and/or appropriate Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) provisions. An internally hired limited-term appointee will be covered by the applicable MOU and eligible for all pay and benefits described in the MOU. An externally hired limited-term appointee will be considered "at-will" and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

An externally hired limited-term appointee will be covered by the applicable MOU and eligible for all pay and benefits described in the MOU with the exception of the following articles/sections: Article 3, Section 10:Temporary Assignment - Temporary Upgrade Pay Article 3, Section 11: Temporary Assignment - Special Assignment Pay Article 6, Section 4(D): Deferred Compensation (Limited-term appointees may participate in Valley Water's 457 deferred compensation program however they will be ineligible for Valley Water matching funds and participation in Valley Water's 401(a) plan) Article 8: Leaves of Absence (Valley Water will provide a leave of absence as required by law under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL)) Article 11: Workforce Development Article 12: Special Programs Article 13: Employee Performance/Evaluation Article 14: Classification Article 15: Discipline Process Article 17: Layoff Required License or Certificate Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis. Must have a satisfactory driving record and a valid California Class B driver's license with air brake endorsements at the time of hire.

To review the Classification Specification, please click here Integrated Field Operations Unit (Position Code LT026) Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date. This position requires the individual to be onsite and is typically not a teleworking position.

Selection Process (1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview. (2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary. Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.

Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request. Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.