Pipeline Apprentice Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $52,395.20 - $63,960.00 Annually
Location : 12622 Pleasant Valley Drive, Penn Valley, CA, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-0151
Department: Wastewater (Sanitation District)
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Definition and Class Characteristics
INTERVIEWS FOR SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 25, 2026.
This position is open for current, Nevada County employees who have completed a 12-month probationary period.
A Wastewater Service Worker I is an integral part of the wastewater collection system whose mission is to keep the community functioning by performing semi-skilled work associated with the maintenance, construction and repair of wastewater collection systems and their appurtenances!
This position is crafted for individuals who have graduated from high school, supplemented by a formal apprenticeship in the maintenance, construction and repair of underground pipeline systems OR one year of experience performing work of a similar nature. Completion of two years apprenticeship as a plumber will be accepted in lieu of the required experience. Possession of a Grade I or II certificate in collection system maintenance issued by the Water Pollution Control Association is a big plus!

• Inspect work in progress and upon completion for quality and conformance to instructions and specifications
• Cuts and fits pipe, digs trenches, mixes grout and concrete, cuts pavement, and backfills and compacts trenches
• Performs high pressure cleanings, smoke testing and TV inspection of sewer lines
• Provides sewer line inspection services as needed

Come join us at beautiful Nevada County. We're just an hour northeast of Sacramento in the California foothills, the gateway to an outdoor enthusiast paradise. With fantastic skiing, hiking, swimming, boating, and a vibrant art community, you owe it to yourself to check us out!
The county offers full-time employees with a competitive benefits package including retirement through CalPERS, vacation, holiday, and sick leave, orthodontics coverage and 457 options.
Why Nevada County? Our leadership values employee development and engagement, promotes open and transparent communication, sets us up to be a high-performing organization, and recognizes our contributions. Our leadership connects with the community, listens to them, and provides significant programming to keep us safe and healthy.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Nevada County is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) programthrough the Department of Education.
To review the full job description,click here!
Education and Experience Required
Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade and one year of experience in the maintenance, construction and repair of underground pipeline systems OR one year of experience performing work of a similar nature. Completion of two years apprenticeship as a plumber will be accepted in lieu of the required experience.
Licenses and Certificates
Possession of a Grade I or II certificate in collection system maintenance issued by the Water Pollution Control Association is desirable.
Benefits Guide
The is a comprehensive document for employees of the County of Nevada. Information contained in this summary of benefits is not a binding document. Refer to specific unit for additional benefit information.
Health Insurance
The County sponsored plan is the PERS Gold PPO, but you can also choose plans from providers such as Anthem, Blue Shield, and PORAC (if you are a member) to suit your needs.
Health Insurance Plans

• Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO
• Anthem Blue Cross Traditional HMO
• Blue Shield CalPERS Access+ HMO
• Blue Shield Trio HMO
• Kaiser HMO
• PERS Gold PPO (County sponsored plan)
• PERS Platinum PPO
• PORAC (Available to PORAC members only)

Flexible Spending Accounts
The County offers employees the option to contribute to a pre-tax medical FSA and dependent Care FSA.
Life Insurance
Voya is the County's life insurance provider. We offer the following products through Voya:

• Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Basic Term Life
• Optional Accidental Death and Dismemberment plans
• Optional Dependent Term Life
• Optional Term Life

Dental & Vision Insurance
Nevada County employees can opt to receive dental and vision insurance without opting for health insurance coverage as well. This will give employees more flexibility to match their choice of insurance plans to their specific needs. Ameritas Dental is the dental provider offered through Nevada County and Ameritas VSP Vision Care is our vision care provider.
Retirement
The County is a member of the CalPERS retirement system and also provides the opportunity for voluntary contributions to a 457 deferred compensation account through Nationwide by way of pre-tax and Roth payroll deductions.
CalPERS Miscellaneous Tiers: Tier 1 (Classic-former employee originally hired on or before 12/13/12 and are returning to Nevada County) 2.7% @ 55 Tier 2 (Hired by a CalPERS employer between 12/14/12-12/31/12 and coming to Nevada County with less than 6 months between separation from former CalPERS employer and hire date with Nevada County) 2%@60 Tier 3 (Hired by first CalPERS employer on or after 1/1/13 or having a break in service of more than six months between another CalPERS employer and Nevada County) 2%@62
CalPERS Safety tiers: Tier 1 (Classic-former employees originally hired on or before 12/13/12 and are returning to Nevada County) 3% @ 50. Tier 2 (Hired by a CalPERS employer between 7/2411-12/31/12 and coming to Nevada County with less than 6-months between separation from former CalPERS employer and hire date with Nevada County) 3% @ 55. Tier 3 (Hired by any CalPERS employer on or after 1/1/13) 2.7% @ 57. We encourage you to visit the CalPERS home page, , to search related information about the retirement plans noted here so that you fully understand what your retirement formula means to you.
NEVADA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Any information on this page or documents and links are subject to change without notice.
Nevada County Human Resources Department
950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA 95959 (530) 265-7010 option 2
Human.resources@nevadacountyca.gov
www.nevadacountyca.gov
01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?

• Did not graduate High School or receive a GED
• High School or GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

02
Which of the following best describes your years of experience in the maintenance, construction and repair of underground pipeline systems, or work of a similar nature?

• None
• Less than one year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 or more years
• Completion of 2 year apprenticeship as a plumber

03
Please describe the experience you have had in the maintenance, construction and repair of underground pipeline systems or experience performing work of a similar nature.
04
How many apprenticeship years have you completed as a plumber?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 or more years

05
Do you possess a Grade I or II certificate in collection system maintenance issued by the Water Pollution Control Association?

• Yes, and I have uploaded proof of this to my application
• No, I do not possess this certificate

06
The Wastewater Service Worker I position will perform a wide variety of construction, maintenance and repair tasks, some of which may be semi-skilled in nature. Examples of duties include repairs to collection and irrigation lines, high pressure cleaning and performing smoke testing and TV inspection of sewer lines. In addition, candidate will be responsible for landscape maintenance and servicing pump stations. Please select which best fits your experience and education.

• I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.
• I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have not yet performed it on the job.
• I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
• I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
• I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist or train them in doing this task because of my expertise.

07
Tell us about the job that you enjoyed the least? What were your responsibilities? What did you not like about it? Was there anything that you enjoyed about this position?
08
Describe your ideal supervisor. Tell me about a time when you worked for someone like this. What qualities do you not prefer in a boss?
09
In your experience, how does an organization encourage your use of your discretionary energy and effort, that willingness each employee has, to go the extra mile, push harder, spend more time, and do whatever is necessary to get the job done?
10
What is the single most important factor that must be present in your work environment for you to be successfully and happily employed? Now that you have answered that question, what were two others that you debated about responding before you gave the response that you chose?
11
What is your preferred work style? Do you prefer working alone or as part of a team? What percentage of your time would you allocate to each, given a choice?
12
Describe a time when you communicated something and had to go back later and revise or change your original communication.
13
This position is open for current, Nevada County employees who have completed a 12-month probationary period. Are you a current and regular employee of the County of Nevada who has passed a 12-month probationary period?

• Yes
• No

Required Question