Utility Service Worker

Introduction

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

POSITION INFORMATION

Placer County's Department of Public Works is currently accepting applications for Utility Service Worker to fill four permanent/full-time vacancies. This position is responsible for installing, maintaining, repairing, and replacing wastewater collection and water distribution systems. The ideal candidate will have previous experience performing maintenance on a variety of water and wastewater equipment and will be able to work both in a team environment and independently in the field.

The eligible lists established as a result of this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies as they arise, subject to position-specific requirements.

This position will remain open until filled with an initial application screening deadline of 5:00 PM, on December 9, 2025 for immediate consideration. Applications received after this date will be screened on a bi-weekly basis until the positions are filled.

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To perform semi-skilled and skilled utility construction duties, including the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of wastewater collection, water distribution, and fire suppression systems; to assist with maintaining wastewater, water treatment, and related facilities; and to operate light and moderately heavy construction equipment.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full journey level class within the Utility Service Worker series. This class is distinguished from the Maintenance Worker by the assignment of the full range of duties. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Utility Service Worker in that the latter performs complex and difficult work in the maintenance and repair of sewer lines, water lines, pumps, and engines with a high degree of skill and independent judgment, coordinates and schedules assigned projects, and exercises technical and functional supervision over crew members.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from a Utility Service Crew Supervisor and may receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Utility Service Worker and/or higher-level supervisory and management staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Locate, inspect, and repair manholes; locate, test for, and repair leaks in sewer and water lines; inspect sewer and water lines manually or by television; operate high pressure sewer line cleaning equipment to free plugged mains.
• Dig ditches and make excavations; backfill trenches and excavations; cut, thread, assemble, and lay pipe; tap main lines and make new service connections.
• Clean ponds and drying beds; haul sludge and solids; clear and maintain drainage ditches; perform maintenance on sewer ponds and at landfill sites.
• Operate light and moderately heavy equipment, including dump trucks, boom trucks, and backhoes; transport equipment and supplies to work sites; load and unload equipment and supplies.
• Perform various building trades in support of utility service functions, including carpentry, painting, plumbing, mechanical, masonry, and welding, and may assist with electrical work.
• Perform traffic control, including set up and removal of signs, cones, and flagging.
• Read and maintain water and sewer meters; patch road pavement; may operate and repair snow removal equipment.
• Install and repair piping and valves; interpret manuals, schematics, plant diagrams, and drawings.
• Maintain records and other documents as required.
• May assist Electrical Instrument and Control Technicians with the inspection, maintenance, and repair of electrical and electronic systems, including motors, controls, and alarms.
• Make confined space entries into manholes and sewer pump stations.
• Maintain records and other documents as required.
• When assigned to shop maintenance, perform preventative maintenance and repair on vehicles, heavy equipment, and other specialized equipment used by Utility Services.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees, and the public using principles of effective customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two (2) years of experience performing duties similar to a Maintenance Worker assigned to Utility Services with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
  
• Possession of a valid Class A driver's license with air brake and tanker endorsements within twelve (12) months of employment, when assigned to Public Works.
  
• Possession of certificate of training in use of self-contained breathing apparatus within three (3) months of employment.
  
• Possession of Certificate in Wastewater Collection System Maintenance, Grade I, as issued by the California Water Environment Association within twelve (12) months of employment.
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• General use and purpose of materials, tools, equipment, and methods used in utility service construction and maintenance, including de-energized pumps, engines, meters, and pipelines.
• General use and purpose of materials, tools, equipment, and methods used in basic building trades activities.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• Basic office procedures, methods, computer equipment, and relevant software.
• Basic recordkeeping.
• Principles and practices of effective customer service.
• Principles and practices of utility maintenance functions, including the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of wastewater collection, water distribution, and fire suppression systems.
• Use and purpose of materials, tools, equipment, methods, procedures, and practices used in the semi-skilled and skilled construction and maintenance of wastewater collection and water distribution systems, including pipeline sizing and the installation and operation of pumps and engines.
• Methods of traffic control.
• Vehicle codes and safety practices relevant to operating light and moderately heavy vehicles and equipment.
• Principles and practices of operation and routine maintenance of road and construction equipment.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; observe safety rules and identify safety hazards; analyze problem equipment and systems; recall, identify, and locate equipment and tools; read, interpret, explain, and follow work orders, manuals, schematics, diagrams, drawings, and blueprints; recall street/road names and general geographic areas; work under time pressure with frequent interruptions; focus on a single task for long periods of time; analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action; explain job to others.
• Intermittently, sit while completing work papers and reports or while operating equipment; on a continuous basis, walk, stand, balance, bend, squat, crouch, climb, kneel, twist, and reach while operating equipment and performing utility service work; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; see, hear, and smell with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; distinguish colors and shades of colors used in coding electrical wires; speak, use telephone, write, and use keyboard to communicate; lift very heavy weight.
• Perform heavy and continuous physical labor in a safe and effective manner.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Interact fairly and courteously with others.
• Safely and effectively perform duties and operate equipment in regular traffic areas.
• Work assigned shift, including weekends, holidays, and odd or irregular hours; be subject to emergency call-out and work unusual or prolonged work schedules; work multiple or mandatory shifts during emergencies, seasonally-caused circumstances, or special projects.
• Operate a variety of equipment and tools, including motorized light and moderately heavy equipment, hand tools, power tools, and air tools.
• Understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Assist in operating and maintaining electric or electronic equipment.
• Remain current with technology associated with utility service and maintenance functions.
• Perform minor service, repair, and adjustment of various mechanical utility service and maintenance equipment and tools.
• Use specialized tools and equipment applicable to specific area of assignment, including television cameras and various meters.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a credit check, voice stress analysis, and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Bethany Clinkenbeard, Administrative Technician, at bclinkenbeard@placer.ca.gov or at (530) 886-4669.

Closing Date/Time: Open Until Filled

• 

• Placer County

Show more