This position is open until the needs of the City are met, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. First review of applications will begin after close of business on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.

Utility Worker I: $60,124.49 - $73,081.70
Utility Worker II: $62,224.80 - $75,634.64

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of skilled journey-level duties involved in the installation, servicing, repair and maintenance of the City’s water distribution and wastewater collection systems, streets, storm drains and related facilities; and performs related work as assigned.

Utility Worker I is the entry-level class. Initially under direct supervision, incumbents learn and perform a variety of semi-skilled and skilled duties in the construction, maintenance and repair of the City’s water distribution and wastewater collection systems, streets, storm drains and related facilities. This class is alternately staffed with Utility Worker II, and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience, obtaining the required certifications, and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications for the higher-level class.

Utility Worker II is the skilled, journey-level class in this series. Under general supervision, incumbents perform the full range of assigned duties. This class differs from Utility Worker I in the skill level required and the incumbent’s knowledge of the City’s systems, equipment, facilities, standards and procedures; and in the ability to perform more difficult tasks independently.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.

Performs skilled and semi-skilled work in the construction, installation, repair and maintenance of water distribution system mains, service lines and related facilities and equipment; performs skilled and semi-skilled work in the construction, installation, repair and maintenance of wastewater collection system mains, lines and related facilities and equipment.
Performs a variety of skilled tasks involved in the maintenance and repair of streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, storm drains, street signs, median strips and related public works facilities; paints curbs.
Installs, tests, inspects, replaces, maintains and repairs water meters; tests, disassembles and cleans water meters; repairs or replaces worn or defective parts in meters; raises and lowers meter box heights; cleans and resets meter boxes; responds to complaints of leaking, broken or malfunctioning meters; performs flow tests and pressure checks on water meters; operates a variety of hand and power tools and equipment in the adjusting, repairing and maintaining of small and large water meters, including acetylene/oxygen torches, power wrenches and air compressors; participates in the City’s regular and ongoing water meter replacement program; reads water meters.
Investigates customer’s complaints regarding water bills; re-reads water meters in response to customer inquiries or complaints; identifies cause of excessive water consumption and advises customers of necessary repairs or alterations.
Performs skilled work in assembling, laying and aligning water distribution and wastewater collection mains and service lines.
Locates and repairs leaks in water distribution and wastewater collection mains, services, pumps, valves and related facilities and appurtenances.
Sets up and removes barricades to protect crews from street traffic; directs traffic at work sites.
Conducts inspections of water distribution and wastewater collection systems and facilities.
Performs duties in confined spaces, utilizing departmental safety equipment, policies and procedures; lifts and removes vault lids; ventilates vaults; performs vault repairs.
Locates buried valves; inspects and tests valves; determines water flow direction and performs required main shutdown procedures; installs, repairs and replaces corp stop, angle meter stop and curb stop valves under pressure or after main shut downs; assembles and repairs pressure reducing and air vacuum valves; fabricates valve fittings; repairs valve boxes; raises and lowers valve boxes; removes broken and installs new valve box sections; backfills and tamps with gravel; tamps asphalt fill to grade.
Excavates and backfills sidewalks, streets, culverts and trenches using hand and power tools; exposes mains and lines following safe dig practices and shutdown procedures; installs and removes various types of trench shoring; cuts mains, lines and pipes utilizing saws, pipe cutters, torches and other tools; caulks joints; threads and bends pipes; performs water main taps under pressure or following main shutdowns.
Locates and exercises small and large water main valves.
Maintains manholes, catch basins, pump stations, reservoirs, and other facilities; maintains and repairs piping associated with pump stations, and other facilities.
Operates vactors, trucks, trenchers, skip loaders, backhoes, compressors, tapping machines, and a wide variety of other motorized equipment and commercial vehicles; operates and uses a wide variety of hand and power tools.
Performs grounds keeping and weed abatement duties at City-owned sites and facilities.
Cleans and maintains tools and equipment used in the field and shops.
Fabricates tools and equipment used in the field and shop.
Operates motorized street sweeping equipment.
Documents work performed.
Works from land plats, maps, valve books, sketches, blueprints and work orders.
Responds to customer complaints; responds to questions and complaints from the public regarding repair work and main shutdowns.
Performs after-hours emergency work and on-call duties on a rotating basis.

Knowledge of:

Operation of motorized vehicles and equipment, including trucks, loaders, backhoes and related equipment;
Tools, methods, techniques and safety practices used in maintaining water distribution and wastewater collection facilities;
Tools, methods and safety practices used in the maintenance of streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, storm drains and related facilities;
Shop and field arithmetic; methods, techniques and safety precautions necessary to meet the requirements of the position, and Department of Transportation commercial driver’s license regulations.

Ability to:

Perform skilled tasks in the maintenance of water distribution, wastewater collection, streets, curbs, gutters, storm drains and related facilities;
Operate the tools and equipment common to utility construction and maintenance;
Follow and carry out oral and written instructions;
Work from rough sketches, blueprints and diagrams; use independent judgment and exercise initiative in daily work activities;
Estimate necessary equipment and materials to complete work assignments;
Deal effectively with the public and respond to complaints and inquiries;
Assist in the supervision and training of less experienced personnel, operate and maintain assigned vehicles in a safe and skillful manner including commercial vehicles

Training and Experience:

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is:

Utility Worker I – One year of experience in utility or public works-related maintenance and construction work. A Utility Worker I may be considered for advancement to the II level after demonstrating proficiency to perform the full range of duties of the class and obtaining the certifications required. A High school diploma or its equivalent is required.

Utility Worker II- Two years of experience in utility or public works-related maintenance and construction work. A High school diploma or its equivalent is required.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

Utility Worker I

Ability to obtain a State of California Water Distribution Operators Certification Grade D-1 or higher grade within 6-months of hire.
Ability to obtain California Commercial Class B License within 12-months of hire.

Utility Worker II

State of California Water Distribution Operators Certification Grade D-1 or higher.
A valid California Commercial Class B License.
A California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Collections System Maintenance Certification Grade C-1 certification or higher.

Priority will be given to applicants who have a current valid State of California Water Distribution Operators Certification Grade D-1 or higher, and California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Collections System Maintenance Certification Grade C-1 or higher certifications.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Employees in this class are occasionally required to wear respirators. In accordance with CAL/OSHA regulations, employees are prohibited from having facial or head hair that impairs the effectiveness of respirator equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties of the class as they relate to this requirement.

Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with City staff, other organizations and the public. The employee is occasionally required to deal with dissatisfied or quarrelsome individuals.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee regularly works in outside weather conditions and in or near street traffic with significant exposure to unsafe or hazardous drivers. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts, is exposed to wet or humid conditions and vibration, and works in precarious places or exposed to street/road traffic. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud.

City of Del Mar

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Utility Worker I/II