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  • Water Waste and Backflow Project Specialist (Project Specialist Hourly)

    Palo Alto, California United States City of Palo Alto Full Time $58,052.80 - $71,281.60 Annually Aug 01, 2025
    City of Palo Alto Employer:

    City of Palo Alto

    The Community The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. The community's treelined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage, and, at the same time, many world-class businesses maintain or started offices here, such as Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Amazon, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, Houzz, Rivian, SAP and SAP Ariba, Tesla, and Varian Medical Systems. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the start-up capital of the world. Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community's dedication to lifelong learning. Stanford's cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City's exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public-school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy featuring premium shopping and dining options. Excellent healthcare facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are some of the community's incredibly desirable and cherished amenities. To learn more, visit https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Manager/Latest-News City Government Palo Alto is a full-service charter city with a council-manager form of government. The seven-member City Council is elected at large, and the City Council annually selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The City Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the City. Palo Alto is organized into 15 departments/offices with 1,093.10 authorized positions in FY 2025. There is also a FY 2025 capital budget of $316.2 million. Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities, including electricity (carbon-neutral), gas, water, wastewater, and an expanding fiber network. This dynamic municipal environment ensures an ever-engaging platform for unique problem-solving and advances new initiatives, including sustainability, broadband, and effective service delivery. Community assets also include five libraries, 36 parks, five community centers, a museum and zoo, youth centers, a general aviation airport, an 18-hole golf course, a regional water treatment plant, and wildland open space preserves at the San Francisco Bay and in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains offering 41 miles of walking/biking trails in addition to its police, fire, and ambulance services. Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, and the City's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals are part of what sets it apart. Since the City's first Climate Protection Plan was passed in 2007, Palo Alto has set goals that exceed State and Federal targets. Today, the City's goal to reduce emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the "80x30" goal) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 guides sustainability efforts. An award-winning City, Palo Alto is recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed. City services and performance also receive impressive marks from community members in the Palo Alto Community Survey. Many of those ratings put City programs and services in the highest percentiles among the hundreds of benchmark cities. Palo Alto makes decisions through comprehensive processes and proactively seeks to involve its extremely informed, educated, and engaged residents. Projects are naturally a cooperative effort among the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, engaged residents, neighborhoods, businesses, property owners, and staff. Join an Award Winning Team  Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City. Want to learn more about our benefits? Learn more by reviewing our "Benefits at a Glance Booklet." Contact Us Phone: 650-329-2376    Email: Recruit@paloalto.gov    Location: City Hall, 1st Floor | 250 Hamilton Ave 94301 | View Map

    Job Description

    Description

    Are you passionate about Earth's precious resource, water? Do you want to help conserve and protect this vital resource?

    The City of Palo Alto's Utility Department is seeking a passionate individual who can lead the Water Waste Program and assist the Cross-Connection Control Program. As the leader in the Water Waste Program, you will have the responsibility to educate the public, perform excellent customer service, and resolve all water waste concerns. In addition, while assisting the Cross-Connection Control Program, you will play an integral role in helping the City remain compliant with State regulations regarding backflow protection. This position is unique in that you will be partly in the field and in the office depending on that day's priorities.

    Ideal Candidate Qualifications
    • Minimum of 2 years experience working with the public, providing customer service, and handling customer complaints.
    • Proficient with basic computer programs (such as the Microsoft Office suite) for logging, tracking and reporting on activities.
    • Can work well independently and collaborate with a team.

    Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7AM - 3PM, start and end time can be flexible.

    Essential Duties

    • Investigate and respond to customer inquiries and complaints concerning water waste, drought regulations, water conservation cross- connection control, questions including rebates and programs, and follow up regarding past complaints.
    • Inspect properties for water waste and cross-connection control concerns.
    • Educate the community on current water supply conditions, drought response activities, and current cross-connection control policies.
    • Prepare reports on investigation of complaints describing the situation, location, and final outcome.
    • Coordinate activities with Public Works, Community Services, Police, and other departments.
    • Respond to various questions from the public and other agencies regarding water waste, City's drought response initiatives, and Cross-Connection Control Program.
    • Provide exceptional customer service to those contacted in the course of work.
    • Works independently as well as collaboratively on a team.
    • Perform related duties as assigned.


    Supplemental Information

    Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's LiveApplicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

    The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

    This is an SEIU Hourly (limited-benefits) position that is budgeted to not exceed 1,000 hours per fiscal year.

    City of Palo Alto offers the following benefits to those in a SEIU Hourly position:

    Medical Stipend
    $3.80 effective the pay period including July 1, 2024.

    Sick Leave
    Earn .03 hour of sick leave for each hour worked.

    Retirement
    City of Palo Alto PST (Part-time, Seasonal & Temporary Employees) Retirement Plan

    Please note: The City does not participate in CA State Disability Insurance (SDI) or Social Security.

    Closing Date/Time: 8/14/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

    Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

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Government Sanitation Jobs: Opportunities & Career Paths

Government Sanitation Jobs: Opportunities & Career Paths

Government sanitation jobs are vital for maintaining public health and ensuring cities and towns stay clean, safe, and functional. These roles contribute to the community’s well-being by managing waste, recycling, and promoting environmental sustainability. Whether you are interested in exploring new employment opportunities or advancing your career, government sanitation provides various job types, career paths, and growth opportunities.

 

What Are Government Sanitation Jobs?

Government sanitation jobs primarily focus on collecting, disposing, and managing waste, recyclables, and other refuse in city or municipal settings. These roles ensure the community remains free from hazardous waste materials and other environmental risks.

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Sanitation workers often use heavy machinery, such as collection vehicles and trucks, to transport trash, recyclables, and debris. They also handle community requests for special disposal services, such as bulk trash pickups or hazardous waste collection.

While these roles demand physical endurance and attention to detail, they provide a rewarding work experience for those who take pride in keeping their communities clean. Government sanitation employees often receive assistance from team members to manage daily tasks effectively. Furthermore, those in these roles support and manage teams to ensure smooth operations across waste collection services.

For individuals interested in searching for stable, impactful careers, government sanitation jobs offer a fulfilling path where they can directly contribute to public health and environmental safety.

 

Career Paths in Government Sanitation

One of the most appealing aspects of government sanitation jobs is the ability to grow within the field. Starting in entry-level positions, employees can work up to supervisory and specialized roles. Typical entry-level roles include laborers, equipment operators, or maintenance workers, which require hands-on experience and formal training.

As employees gain experience, they may move into roles such as:

  • Waste Management Coordinator: This role involves organizing and overseeing waste collection and recycling programs.
  • Environmental Specialist: A position focused on implementing sustainable practices and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
  • Equipment Operator: Operate specialized machinery for waste disposal and recycling, such as collection vehicles and trucks.
  • Supervisory and Management Roles: These positions require leadership skills to manage teams, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain the efficiency of sanitation operations.

With the right experience, employees may even have the opportunity to transition into adjacent fields, such as public health, environmental conservation, or even business ownership related to waste management services. Some workers may pursue specialized licenses or certifications to enhance their expertise in handling specific types of waste or machinery.

 

Working in City Government Sanitation

City government sanitation jobs are typically fast-paced and dynamic, requiring workers to respond to service requests, navigate tight schedules, and maintain high performance. These roles range from refuse collection to recycling coordination, often requiring a keen understanding of the city’s waste management infrastructure.

Employees must have a strong work ethic, physical ability, and familiarity with local ordinances and policies governing sanitation services. Additionally, many sanitation workers rely on modern technology to track and optimize their daily operations.

For example, collection vehicles are often equipped with GPS systems to ensure that routes are followed efficiently and that disposal sites are visited at the appropriate times. This ensures that city regulations manage waste.

Customer service is another critical aspect of city sanitation roles, as employees must interact with residents, answer questions, and address concerns related to waste disposal and recycling. Responding to public concerns about trash collection and ensuring timely and courteous service is essential to the success of any sanitation department.

Working in city government sanitation offers a sense of pride and a feeling of accomplishment, as employees play a direct role in improving the quality of life for their fellow citizens. By contributing to a cleaner and healthier urban environment, sanitation workers help create more livable communities.

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Advancing Your Career in Government Sanitation

Those looking to advance in their government sanitation careers should take a proactive approach to professional development. While experience on the job is necessary, employees should also consider pursuing additional training, certifications, or leadership opportunities.

Some strategies for career advancement include:

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  1. Certifications: Obtaining certifications in specialized areas such as hazardous waste management or environmental conservation can set employees apart from their peers and open doors to higher-paying positions.
  2. Networking: Building relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and professionals in the field can help employees stay informed about job openings and best practices. Networking also provides opportunities to learn from more experienced professionals.
  3. Taking Initiative: Seeking out new challenges, offering to mentor less experienced colleagues, or taking on leadership roles within the department can all demonstrate a commitment to career growth.
  1. Staying Updated on Technology: As waste management systems become increasingly reliant on technology, such as automated disposal systems and collection vehicle tracking, employees who are well-versed in these tools will be better positioned for advancement.

Government sanitation careers often require continuous learning and adaptation as industry standards and regulations evolve. Whether mastering new machinery or keeping up with the latest environmental legislation, employees must remain committed to their professional growth.

 

Job Types and Specializations

Government sanitation jobs cover a variety of specializations, from waste collection and recycling to environmental conservation. Some common job types include:

  • Sanitation Worker: The hands-on labor role responsible for cleaning, collecting, and disposing waste.
  • Waste Management Coordinator: Oversees city-wide waste management programs, ensures compliance with regulations, and improves efficiency in collection routes.
  • Environmental Specialist: Focuses on sustainability initiatives, including promoting recycling and reducing the environmental impact of waste.
  • Equipment Operator: Operates specialized machinery used in waste management processes, such as trucks and compactors.

Many government sanitation jobs require specific skills, such as operating equipment or maintaining licenses for handling hazardous materials. Others may focus on managerial tasks, such as ensuring team performance and responding to public inquiries. Specialized roles, like environmental specialists, are crucial in protecting the environment by promoting recycling programs and reducing the city’s overall waste footprint.

 

Conclusion: A Career with Purpose

Government sanitation jobs offer fulfilling career paths that allow employees to make a tangible impact on their communities. Whether starting as an entry-level laborer or pursuing a management position, numerous opportunities exist to grow and succeed in this field. By staying proactive, continuously learning, and utilizing your skills, you can build a rewarding career in government sanitation, all while contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone.

This career path offers stability and the satisfaction of knowing that your work directly benefits the public and helps to ensure a better future for your city and beyond.

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