Trainee Meter Reader Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $44,054.40 - $60,652.80 Annually
Location : Throughout San Bernardino County, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-43093-01
Department: Special Districts
Opening Date: 01/31/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
The Job
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Works, Special Districts - Water and Sanitation Division is recruiting for Maintenance Worker Trainee. Under training conditions, these positions learn to perform routine maintenance, repair, and inspection tasks related to the operation of water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Upon successful completion of the training period, incumbents may automatically promote to Maintenance Worker I.
Essential Duties

• Inspect and record pump station meter readings, monitor gauges, and ensure proper system operations.
• Assist with the installation, repair, and replacement of water mains, sewer lines, and service connections using digging and excavation methods.
• Operate and learn to operate a variety of equipment, such as: backhoes, dump trucks, mixers, bypass pumps, generators, combination cleaners, and air compressors.
• Maintain and support operation of system infrastructure including pipelines, storage tanks, wells, lift stations, control valves, and booster stations.
• Conduct inspections of water distribution and wastewater collection systems for safety, proper function, and regulatory compliance.
• Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs on pumps, motors, valves, compressors, and related equipment.
• Respond to emergency call-outs and perform on-call duties on a rotational basis, with the ability to respond within one hour in all weather and environmental conditions.

For more detailed information, refer to the Maintenance Worker Trainee job description.
Excellent Benefits
To review job-specific benefits, refer to:
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Working Conditions: Applicants must be able to perform heavy manual labor and work outdoors in varying weather conditions; work in desert and mountainous areas, remote locations, and other locations as needed; have the ability to drive-in all-weather conditions; and work weekends and holidays and respond to emergency calls as needed.
Health and Physical: Persons seeking appointment to this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper for performance of the duties established by the San Bernardino County Special Districts Department. Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and have the ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, bend over, and crawl for extended periods of time while performing job duties.
Certification: Must obtain a State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Water Distribution Operator Grade D1 certification within 12 months or 2 consecutive test cycles, from date of employment, or be terminated. Must obtain a SWRCB T1 Water Treatment certification, OR a SWRCB Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I, within 18 months of employment, or be terminated
License: Must obtain and maintain a CA Class A unrestricted driver's license with tanker endorsement within 18 months of employment or be terminated.
Travel: Travel throughout the County is required. A valid CA driver's license and proof of automobile liability insurance is required at time of appointment.
Assignment: Employees on call must respond by phone within 30 minutes. Employees may be assigned to one region, but are expected to work any site located throughout the County, to meet the Department's needs. Incumbents are required to be available on-call evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed. Sites/locations encompass the mountains, the deserts, and the valleys.
Promotion: Maintenance Worker Trainees are eligible for promotion to Maintenance Worker I upon successful completion of training and probation, possession of the required certifications and licenses, and receiving a recent successful work performance evaluation; must promote within 18 months or be terminated.
Sponsorship: San Bernardino County is unable to consider candidates who require Visa Sponsorship at this time or in the future. Candidates must be able to present their legal right to work in the United States at the time of employment.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates must meet both the license and ONE (1) of the experience options listed below:
License:Must possess a valid CA Class "C" Driver's License
-AND-
Experience:
Option A: Six (6) months of recent experience (within the last 5 years) in the maintenance, repair, or inspection of water/wastewater equipment and machinery.
Option B: Six (6) months of recent experience (within the last 5 years) of general plumber experience with water and sewer systems for residential, commercial, or industrial facilities
Option C: Nine (9) units of completed coursework directly related to water supply, distribution, treatment, or wastewater technology fields.
Option D: Possession of a current CA State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Water Distribution Operator Grade D1, or Water Treatment Operator Grade T1, or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I certification.
Desired Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess a valid CA Class A unrestricted driver license with tanker and hazmat endorsements, in addition to possession of the SWRCB Water Distribution Operator Grade D1 certification, SWRCB T1 Water Treatment certification, and SWRCB Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I certification.
Selection Process
Application Procedure: To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until position is filled. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaire.
There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on the information provided in the Application and the Supplemental Questionnaire. You are encouraged to include detailed descriptions of your qualifying experience and skills, as only the most highly qualified applicants will be referred to the Department.
All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mail frequently to learn additional information regarding this recruitment. Check your GovernmentJobs account for notifications. Update your firewalls to allow e-mails from San Bernardino County through governmentjobs.com. Update your Spam, Junk, and Bulk settings to ensure it will not spam/block/filter communications from email addresses with the following domain "@hr.sbcounty.gov". Finally, be sure to keep your personal information updated. Taking these steps now will help ensure you receive all communications regarding this recruitment.
To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application before the posted filing deadline. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note: if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application, we have not received your application.
All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mails frequently to obtain any correspondence associated with this recruitment. Please be sure the email provided on this application is always current; it is your responsibility to update your personal information. Update your Spam, Junk, Bulk and Firewall settings as needed to ensure that you receive all information pertaining to this recruitment.
EEO/ADA: San Bernardino County is an and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants.
ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and need accommodations during the testing process, please submit the within one week of a recruitment filing deadline.
Veterans' Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the
For more important details, review the links below:
Guide to Completing a County Job Application
Applicant Information and the County Employment Process
Water and Sanitation MOU
San Bernardino County offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of other voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.
Please review the appropriate * for more information
Refer to the appropriate MOU, contact the County's Employee Benefits and Services Division at (909) 387-5787 or visit the for more detailed information.
*Retirement benefits subject to change.
01
PLEASE READ THE BELOW STATEMENT
Instructions: The information provided on your application and in your responses to the following Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for this position, as well as in a competitive evaluation of qualifications. It is in your best interest to be as thorough as possible in your responses. Resumes will NOT be reviewed to determine qualifications. Applicants will not be able to update their application materials or answers to the questionnaire once the application has been submitted. Note: Experience listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I have read and understand the above statement.

02
Work Availability: This position may be required to work weekends and holidays, to provide coverage as needed. Indicate your willingness and availability to work weekends and holidays. Note that not being available will remove you from this process.

• Yes, I am willing and available to work weekends and holidays.
• No, I am not willing or available to work weekends and holidays at this time.

03
California Driver's License: Indicate the CA driver's license you currently possess.

• Class A (Desired)
• Class B
• Class C
• Other
• None of the above.

04
Qualifying Option: Indicate the Option under which you are qualifying.

• Option A: water/wastewater
• Option B: general plumber
• Option C: coursework
• Option D: SWRBC certification
• Other
• None of the above

05
Qualifying Employer/School: Identify the name of the Employer or school where you acquired your qualifying experience/coursework, or expiration date of your qualifying certification.
06
Option A: Water/Wastewater Maintenance/Repair/Inspection Experience: Indicate your (full-time equivalent) experience in the maintenance/repair or the inspection of water and/or wastewater equipment and machinery. Months of experience should be measured in Full-Time hours (i.e., 40 hrs = 1 week, or 160 hours = 1 month).

• 0-5 months experience
• At least 6 months experience
• At least 12 months experience
• At least 18 months experience
• At least 24 months experience
• None of the above.

07
Option B: General Plumber Experience: Indicate your (full-time equivalent) experience as a plumber of water and sewer systems for residential, commercial, or industrial facilities. Months of experience should be measured in Full-Time hours (i.e., 40 hrs = 1 week, or 160 hours = 1 month).

• 0-5 months experience
• At least 6 months experience
• At least 12 months experience
• At least 18 months experience
• At least 24 months experience
• None of the above.

08
Option C: Water Coursework: If you are qualifying under Option C, you must provide a list of your completed college coursework in the water fields of supply, distribution, treatment, and/or wastewater technology. If you possess a certificate, list the title of the certificate, date received, and number of units completed to earn the certificate. A copy attached to the application is acceptable.Otherwise, provide the Name of the School, Course Title and Course Number, Number of Units (semester or quarter) for each course listed. Example: SBVC, Water Distribution I, WST061, 3 semester units. (Note a legible copy of your transcripts may be attached to your application instead.)
09
Water Distribution Operator Certification: Check the (highest) valid CA SWRCB or Department of Public Health Services (CDPH) Water Distribution Operator Certification Grade that you possess. Attach a copy to your application.

• D1
• D2
• D3
• D4
• D5
• Other
• None of the above.

10
Water Treatment Operator Certification: Check the (highest) valid CA SWRCB or CDPH Water Treatment Operator Grade Certifications that you possess. Attach a copy to your application.

• T1
• T2
• T3
• T4
• T5
• Other
• None