Water Agency Maintenance Worker II

About the role

Join Sonoma Water as a Water Agency Maintenance Worker II, performing semi-skilled, light, and heavy manual tasks related to flood control, vegetation management, and maintenance of water channels and wastewater facilities. Work is performed outdoors at sites throughout Sonoma County on a schedule of 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday (40 hours per week).

Responsibilities

• Operate Class A Commercial vehicles, including dump trucks, vacuum trucks, and water trucks.
• Perform trail and access road maintenance by mowing, pruning, and chipping vegetation.
• Operate power tools and heavy and light equipment, including tractors, mowers, excavators, and chippers.

Requirements

• Current, valid California Class A Commercial Driver’s license or ability to obtain one within six (6) months of hire.
• Experience in vegetation management or landscaping.
• Knowledge of riparian ecology and fire fuel reduction concepts, such as shaded fuel breaks.
• Experience operating large vehicles and/or towing trailers.
• Punctuality, safety orientation, and interest in physically demanding outdoor work.

Qualifications

Experience and Education: Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Typically, this includes two years of experience in construction, maintenance, mechanical, and/or vegetation habitat work involving heavy physical labor, use of light mechanical equipment, machines, and power tools. Alternatively, one year of experience in flood control or sanitation maintenance with the Sonoma County Water Agency.

Licenses and/or Certifications: Required licenses/certifications vary by assignment but must be maintained throughout employment. For this position, a valid California Class A Commercial Driver’s License (or ability to obtain within six months) is required. Additional certifications are highly desirable for specific assignments:

• Water/Wastewater Assignments: CWEA Grades I, II, and/or III; NASSCO Pipeline Assessment Certification; CA Distribution Operator Certificate (D1); Cal/OSHA confined spaces and excavations training.
• Vegetation Management Assignments: ISA Board Certified Arborist or Arborist Municipal Specialist credential; California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s Agricultural Pest Control Advisor License; ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ).

Skills

Working Knowledge of:

• General construction materials, safety practices, and tools used in wastewater collection, water distribution, and vegetation management.
• Principles and practices of semi-skilled and skilled trades (e.g., carpentry, plumbing, fencing, concrete work).
• Water and wastewater system functions, structures, and maintenance procedures.
• Safety procedures, equipment, and hazardous materials handling.
• Repair, preventive maintenance, and safe operation of trucks, hand/power tools, and light/heavy construction equipment.

Knowledge of:

• Sewer system standards (California Uniform Plumbing Code).
• English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and composition.
• Closed-circuit television (CCTV) equipment for diagnosing sewer line issues.
• Record-keeping principles and practices.

Ability to:

• Perform semi-skilled manual maintenance and construction tasks for extended periods under unfavorable weather conditions.
• Operate line cleaning equipment, hand/power tools, and CCTV equipment.
• Determine appropriate methods for cleaning water and sewer lines.
• Demonstrate physical strength, endurance, and mechanical aptitude.
• Work in confined/underground spaces and follow safety procedures.
• Understand and follow oral/written instructions.
• Complete simple report forms accurately.
• Work effectively with others and the public.
• Read work maps/plans and speak, read, and write English at a job-appropriate level.

Benefits

• Salary Advancement: Increase after 1,040 hours (6 months full-time) for good performance; annual increases thereafter until reaching the top of the salary range.
• Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and 8 floating holiday hours per year.
• Health Benefits: County-paid 100% premium for most employee-only and employee+family health plans; post-retirement health reimbursement arrangement.
• Retirement: Pension fully integrated with Social Security.
• Paid Parental Leave: Up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of employment.
• Additional Benefits: Dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, and professional development.
• Student Loan Debt Relief: Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Pay

Starting salary up to $43.05/hour ($89,850.52/year). Salary is negotiable within the established range.

Schedule

Typically 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday (40 hours per week).