Storm Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $76,678.78 - $93,203.55 Annually
Location : Fountain Valley, CA
Job Type: Non-exempt FLSA
Job Number: 2026-25
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Description
MORE THAN A JOB- AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE, GROW, AND MAKE AN IMPACT!
Click Here to Learn About the City of Fountain Valley.
This position is in the Sewer/Storm Drain division. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately, as this recruitment may close without prior notice or if enough qualified applications have been received.
First Review of Applications: August 12, 2026
THE CITY OF FOUNTAIN VALLEY
The City of Fountain Valley is nestled in the heart of Orange County. With approximately 57,000 residents, the City is only 7 miles from the beach with countless restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping centers, and Disneyland within a 15-mile radius of the City, providing many options for a rich work-life balance.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The City of Fountain Valley Public Works Department is seeking a dedicated and motivated Equipment Operator I in the Sewer/Storm Drain division to join our team. This position performs a variety of manual, semi-skilled, and skilled maintenance tasks. Key responsibilities include:

• Operates a variety of light, medium, and heavy gas and diesel-powered motorized equipment in construction.
• Maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of the City's wastewater and stormwater systems, including pipelines, lift stations, storm drains, and catch basins.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS INCLUDE

• 4/10 schedule (off Fridays)
• CalPERS retirement (2%@60 for Classic or 2%@62 for PEPRA)
• CalPERS medical HMO/PPO plan options, dental, life insurance, vision, and optional AFLAC insurance
• Matching deferred compensation employer contribution (up to $225 per month)
• City-paid long-term disability insurance
• Generous leave accruals
• 11 paid holidays, including one floating holiday

Job Overview

• Operate and conduct pre-trip inspections on equipment including loaders, skip loaders, backhoes, forklifts, tractors, 1 ton to 10 cubic yard dump trucks, sewer/storm drain combination hydro jetter vacuum truck and related construction equipment.
• Perform maintenance and construction tasks to maintain maximum, constant water flow in the wastewater and stormwater systems; Clean and repair storm drains to prevent flooding; Lift manhole covers and retrieve debris inside manholes; Operate combination hydro jetter vacuum truck to clean sewer and storm drain lines; Excavate and repair sewer and storm drain lines; Review wastewater and stormwater system maps.
• Perform the installation, maintenance, operation, flushing, cleaning, and repair or rehabilitation of sewer and storm drain pipelines, laterals, catch basins and screens, stormceptors, siphons, manholes, lift stations and enhanced maintenance areas.
• Operate, maintain, and clean sewer and storm drain lift stations, pumps, equipment, and wet wells.
• Operate and maintain CCTV van and equipment to inspect sewer and storm drain pipelines.

OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES

• Perform non-journey level work in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry, painting, and other similar maintenance and repair trades
• May perform, as needed, technical oversight and training to Maintenance Workers and Temporary Laborers.
• Complete a variety of checklists, maintain a variety of logs, records and reports as assigned.
• Operate a variety of power, pneumatic, and hand tools in the performance of Public Works maintenance and repair activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

NOTE: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the position. To access the full class specification, please click on the following link:
Qualification Guidelines
Education

• High School graduation or possession of a General Education Development Test (GED) certificate is required.
• College-level coursework with an emphasis in utility science is highly desirable.

Experience

• Previous experience regularly operating a variety of light, medium, and/or heavy equipment is required.
• Previous sewer and storm drain maintenance experience, preferably in a municipal setting, is highly desirable.

Required Licenses (Incumbents must maintain, at all times, the license(s) required for this job description.)

• A valid California Class B Commercial Driver's License (with Air Brake and Tank Endorsement) is required at the time of appointment (or obtained within the probationary period) as a condition of employment.
• A valid California Class A Commercial Driver's License with Tanker Endorsement is highly desirable.

Required Certifications (Incumbents must maintain, at all times, the certification(s) required for this job description.

• Possession of a Grade 1 CWEA Collection System Maintenance Certificate is required at the time of appointment (or obtained within the probationary period) as a condition of employment.
• National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) certification is required at the time of appointment (or obtained within the probationary period).
• NASSCO Lateral Assessment Certification Program (LACP) certification is desirable.
• NASSCO Manhole Assessment Certification Program (MACP) certification is desirable.

Special Requirement

• Must be available for standby duty and is subject to periodic call-out during off-time hours to assist with emergencies.

OVERAGE UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS: Incumbents in this classification are covered under the Department of Transportation regulations for drug and alcohol policy are specified in the City's Administrative Regulation No. 1051.
Recruitment Information
The selection process will include:
ComponentWeightedOral Panel Interview90%Tool Identification Assessment10%
To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire. To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete your application and consider having your profile created and/or updated before applying for the position. Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. If you require technical assistance, please review the
Government Jobs Online Employment Application Guide, or contact their toll-free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by the internet connection, computer, or browser used to submit the application. Questions G regarding this recruitment should be sent to
SELECTION PROCESS:
The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, panel interview, and performance exam. The employment application and supplemental questions will be evaluated based on the employment standards and minimum qualifications listed above. All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully completing all components of the pre-employment process, which may include but is not limited to: reference checks, California Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprinting), post-offer drug test, and pre-employment medical examination.
The City of Fountain Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Candidates with a disability who may need accommodations during the selection process must notify the Human Resources Department at least 72 hours in advance of the exam date.
Municipal Employees Association (MEA) Representation: This classification is represented by the Fountain Valley Municipal Employees Association for additional information.
Flexible Work Schedules: Most MEA employees are offered the option to work a flexible work schedule, including either a 4/10 or 9/80 work schedule.
Compensation:

• Base Salary Adjustments: None scheduled.

• Merit Increase

MEA employees shall be eligible for merit increases annually on the first day of the pay period closest to their anniversary date, until they reach the fifth step.

• Deferred Compensation Matching Contribution

Employees in regular positions may voluntarily participate in the City's deferred compensation plan. This plan is provided by Empower. The City will match up to a total amount of $225 per month into each employee's deferred compensation account for each MEA employee who contributes to the City's deferred compensation plan.

• Other Specialty Pays
  Employees under certain classifications or assignments, or who possess specialized skills, training, and/or certifications may be eligible for other specialty pays. Examples of these pays include Call Out Pay, Emergency Call Out for Major Incidents, Standby Pay, Shift Differential Pay, Specialty Assignment Pay (Streets Division), Specialty Pay, and Water Certificate Pay. Please refer to the for further details.

Retirement: All full-time employees are members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) - a defined benefit program. Employees are enrolled in one of the following retirement formulas based on date of hire.

• New Members / PEPRA: As defined by the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), "New Members" have never been a member of any California public retirement system, were hired by a CalPERS agency after January 1, 2013, moved between public retirement systems lacking reciprocity, or moved between employers in the same public retirement system with a break in service of more than six months. New Members are enrolled in the 2% at age 62 retirement formula and pay a contribution rate of 50% of the total normal cost of the PEPRA member benefits for their retirement pension. This rate is determined annually based on the actuarial valuation of the retirement benefits provided to active PEPRA employees. For Fiscal Year 25/26, employees pay a mandatory 7.75% pre-tax contribution for this retirement benefit. Note: In 2026, the pensionable compensation limit for PEPRA is $191,679 (pursuant to GC § 7522.10). This limit is adjusted on an annual basis.
• Classic Members: New employees who joined CalPERS or a reciprocal public retirement system before January 1, 2013, without a break in service longer than six months, are considered "Classic" members and will be enrolled in the 2% at age 60 retirement formula. Employees pay a mandatory 7% pre-tax contribution for this retirement benefit. To determine if you are eligible for reciprocity, please click on the following link: Note: In 2026, the pensionable compensation limit for Classic Members is $360,000 (pursuant to IRC section 401(a)(17)). This limit is adjusted on an annual basis.

For both Classic and PEPRA Members, the City contracts for the three-year average for final compensation, a 2% Cost-of-Living adjustment in retirement, and service credit for unused sick leave. The City also contracts for the Fourth Level Survivor Benefit ($2 per member per month). Please refer to the FVMEA Memorandum of Understanding for additional CalPERS contract provisions.
Health Insurance: The City will contribute towards the cost of health premiums for full-time employees as follows:
Enrollment Tier
Flex Dollar Monthly Allowance
Employee Only Coverage
$675.00
Employee +1 Dependent Coverage
$1,175.00
Employee + Family Coverage
$1,450.00
The Flex Dollar Allowance may be used for medical (optional), dental (mandatory), life insurance (mandatory), vision insurance (optional), and AFLAC (optional) premiums. All health benefits are effective on the first of the month following date of hire.

• Medical

Employees have a choice to select a medical plan under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program. Please visit for more information regarding the various plans offered under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program, as well as the current premium rates.

• Dental

Enrollment in a City dental plan is mandatory for all eligible employees. Coverage is managed under the cafeteria plan, and premiums are paid by the employee (Flex Dollars may be used).

• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (ADD)

Enrollment in a City life and ADD plan is mandatory for all eligible employees. The policy amount is $50,000. Coverage is managed under the cafeteria plan, and premiums are paid by the employee (Flex Dollars may be used).

• Vision

Enrollment in a City vision plan is voluntary for all eligible employees. Coverage is managed under the cafeteria plan, and premiums are paid by the employee.

• AFLAC

Employees have the option to enroll in a variety of voluntary insurance plans including accident, short-term disability, hospital confinement indemnity, cancer/specified-disease, lump sum critical illness, and whole or term life insurance. Employee is responsible for the entire cost of the premium if they elect