Wastewater Collections Maintenance Worker I-II

Position Description

RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW - Come Grow with Us!

The City of Tulare is seeking a dedicated individual to help maintain the integrity and safety of our infrastructure. Whether you are starting your career or are an experienced professional, this role offers a clear path for growth, technical training, and the opportunity to serve your community.

In this position, you will perform essential installation, repair, and maintenance of the City’s wastewater collection system. You’ll work with everything from high-velocity hydro-cleaners and CCTV inspection equipment to heavy machinery and hand tools.

What You’ll Do

• Repair broken mains, perform hydro-cleaning, and install manholes or laterals.
• Use CCTV and specialized testing equipment to monitor line health and prevent problems.
• Operate specialized vehicles, loaders, and power tools related to wastewater infrastructure.
• Identify and mark underground utilities in accordance with USA (Underground Service Alert) Regulations.
• Set up work zones with barricades and cones to protect the public and your crew.
• Respond to urgent maintenance situations to keep the City running smoothly.

The ideal candidate for this position is a safety-conscious individual with a commercial drivers license (Class A or B), who balances physical stamina with technical troubleshooting skills.

This is an alternately-staffed series, meaning an incumbent at Level I can advance to Level II after gaining the necessary certifications, licenses, and demonstrated skill. This role is perfect for someone looking for a stable, long-term career with the City.

Tulare is a full-service Charter City with approximately 400 full-time employees. The City of Tulare is a supportive organization where people take pride in their work and in the community they serve. Tulare is a place where people can grow professionally, a place that values innovation and a place where people can make a positive and lasting change in the community.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To be considered for this position qualified applicants must submit an application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work History, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills. They must also attach a copy of their commercial driver’s license.

In addition to submitting a detailed application, applicants are required to respond to the supplemental questions associated with the application and attach the required certificates. Responses to the supplemental questions will be used to evaluate applicants' qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities. Resumes may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a complete, detailed application.

This recruitment will fill one immediate vacancy and establish an eligibility list to fill future vacancies for a period of up to six months.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Under direct or general supervision, performs a variety of routine to skilled work in the installation, repair, maintenance, and cleaning of the City's wastewater collection system; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives technical and functional direction and training from the Wastewater Collection Maintenance Crew Leader and direct or general supervision from the Wastewater Collections Supervisor. No supervision of staff is exercised.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Wastewater Collection Maintenance Worker I: This is the entry-level class in the wastewater collection maintenance series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic maintenance experience learn City infrastructure, systems, and facilities, use of tools and equipment, and a wide variety of practices and procedures. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. This class is alternately-staffed with Wastewater Collection Maintenance Worker II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining the knowledge, skill, experience, licenses, and certifications which meet the qualifications for and demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.

Wastewater Collection Maintenance Worker II: This is the journey-level class in the wastewater collection maintenance series that performs the full range of duties required to ensure that City infrastructure, systems, and facilities to which assigned are maintained in a safe and effective working condition and provide the highest level of safety for public use. Responsibilities include inspecting and attending to assigned areas in a timely manner, and performing a wide variety of tasks in the maintenance and repair of assigned wastewater collection facilities and systems. This class is distinguished from Wastewater Collection Maintenance Crew Leader in that the latter is responsible for technical and functional direction over lower-level wastewater collection maintenance staff and is capable of performing the most complex duties assigned to the division.

Examples of Essential Functions

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Maintains the City's wastewater collection system in a safe and sanitary manner to ensure safe conditions for the City, including repairing broken wastewater mains and parts, and hydro cleaning to ensure clean and open distribution.
• Operates specialized vehicles and a variety of light, medium, and heavy equipment related to the construction, maintenance, and repair of the City's wastewater infrastructure system.
• Inspects and tests lines in the collection system visually or using closed-circuit television devices and other specialized testing equipment.
• Cleans the collection system using appropriate rodding or high velocity cleaner equipment.
• Inspects and maintains wastewater lines and manholes to ensure compliance with established codes.
• Locates and marks underground utilities.
• Provides installation, maintenance, and repair of wastewater mains and laterals.
• Operates and maintains the City's close circuit television system and equipment used to monitor and prevent problems in the wastewater system.
• Installs and maintains wastewater manholes and makes minor repairs as directed.
• Performs asphalt and concrete repair and patchwork; removes trees, brush, and debris to access sewer main lines and laterals.
• Uses pavement breaker to begin trenches or make minor excavations, places shoring where required, and makes necessary installations and repairs to collection system pipelines.
• Assists in backfilling excavations and applies temporary resurfacing to repair area.
• Raises, sets and seals valves and manholes as required.
• Assists in installing new wastewater laterals and mains, including hooking up laterals for new home construction.
• Maintains light, medium, and heavy-duty equipment and trucks appropriate to the functional area of assignment.
• Operates a variety of hand and power tools and equipment related to work assignment as instructed.
• Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment at the close of the workday.
• Installs street barricades and cones, and controls traffic around work sites to ensure safe conditions for the general public and City workers.
• Assists in maintaining pump lift stations, pumps, and storm drains.
• Performs minor welding.
• Reads and interprets maps, blueprints, and diagrams in the performance of the work.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.
• Responds to complaints and answers questions from public or escalates to supervisor, as necessary.
• Responds to operations, maintenance, and repair emergency situations as required.
• Maintains records and logs of daily activities; prepares reports as necessary.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• May assist other maintenance crews in emergency or relief situations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Maintenance principles, practices, tools, and materials for maintaining and repairing wastewater collection systems, including gravity and pressurized wastewater lines, manholes, wastewater cleanouts, and other related facilities and equipment.
• The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles, and power equipment.
• Basic traffic control procedures and traffic sign regulations.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Shop arithmetic.
• Safety equipment and practices related to the work, including the handling of hazardous chemicals and confined space entry.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• Basic computer software related to work.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Perform construction, modification, maintenance, and repair work on wastewater collection systems, facilities, and equipment such as found in the City.
• Operate specialized maintenance and repair equipment related to wastewater main cleaning.
• Locate underground utilities by use of blue prints and electronic locating equipment in accordance with Underground Service Alert (USA) regulations.
• Set up and operate traffic area construction zones, including cones, barricades, and flagging.
• Perform work in a confined space following required confined space entry procedures.
• Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and equipment required for the work.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Communicate effectively in person, over the telephone and radio, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Wastewater Collection Maintenance Worker I and II:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Wastewater Collection Maintenance Worker I:

• One (1) year of experience of construction, maintenance, or repair and heavy equipment operation.

Wastewater Collection Maintenance Worker II:

• In addition to the above, two (2) years of experience equivalent to Wastewater Collection Maintenance Worker I at the City of Tulare.

Licenses and Certifications:

Wastewater Collection Maintenance Worker I/II:

• Possession of a valid Class B California driver's license.
• Possession of a Work Zone Flagger certificate (issued by an authorized flagger trainer meeting the requirements of Cal-OSHA and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Device, "CA MUTCD").

Wastewater Collection Maintenance Worker I:

• Within twenty-four (24) months of the date of entry into the position, must obtain a Grade I Collection System Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association.

Wastewater Collection Maintenance Worker II:

• Possession of a Grade I Collection System Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association.
• Possession of a Work Zone Flagger certificate (issued by an authorized flagger trainer meeting the requirements of Cal-OSHA and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Device, "CA MUTCD")
• Within eighteen (18) months of the date of entry into the position, must obtain a Grade II Collection System Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confining spaces, around machines and to climb and descend vehicles, and to operate varied vehicles, tools, and equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 75 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical, and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical and chemical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

• Members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). In accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the City of Tulare will offer the following retirement benefit (2.0% at 62) to new PERS members beginning January 1, 2013 with three (3) years final compensation. Existing PERS members with no break in service will receive the 2.5% at 55 formula with single highest year.
• City pays a portion of the employee and dependent coverage costs of group medical, dental and vision insurance. An opt-out plan is also available.
• Life insurance - $20,000 coverage.
• 10 working days vacation per year. Additional days based on years of service.
• 12 days sick leave per year.
• 15 holidays annually: 12 city observed holidays, plus birthday credit and 2 in-lieu holidays.
• Flexible benefit program - IRS Section 125 Plan.
• Deferred compensation plan - 457 Plans available.
• City sponsored employee health care clinic - Services include: general medical care and health and wellness coaching. No deductibles, co-pays, or out-of-pocket expenses.

Closing Date/Time: 2/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Tulare

• 559-684-4204

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