Power Plant Operator

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

Power Plant Operator positions provide operation and maintenance duties for the Public Utilities Department's energy production at wastewater facilities; repair, operate, maintain, and overhaul methane/natural gas/diesel-fueled engines, generators, hydro turbine generators, high voltage electrical equipment, and other related support equipment; troubleshoot and diagnose problems such as engine and switchgear malfunctions, defective PLC logic systems, and electrical controls and instrumentation; maintain log books and equipment; perform preventative maintenance; and perform other duties as assigned.

      NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by AFSME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increase: 5% effective 7/1/25. 
• In addition to the scheduled general wage increase, the following special salary wage increase is also scheduled to take effect for Power Plant Operator: 5% effective 1/1/26. 
• Eligible benefited employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Power Plant Operator employees may be required to work nights or unusual shifts for an extended period of time for which they may receive 5% additional pay. 
• Some facilities are staffed in-person 24/7/365 with varying shifts to cover operations and maintenance activities.
• Power Plant Operator employees may be required to work overtime on a frequent basis. 
• Power Plant Operator employees with a valid Class I or II Stationary Engineer Certification issued from the National Institute for Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers and/or a Chief Stationary Engineer Certification may be eligible for additional pay.
• Power Plant Operator employees may be required to work in confined spaces for which they may receive 5% additional pay.

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

EXPERIENCE: Three years of full-time journey-level experience troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining large engines (600 horsepower or higher), high voltage electrical systems (440 volts or higher), or steam or hot water boilers (250 horsepower or higher).

      NOTES:

• Successful completion of an Associate's Degree, state-accredited Apprenticeship Program, or an equivalent-level Community College certificate in Electricity, Electronics Technology, Equipment Mechanics, or Marine Engineering may be substituted for a MAXIMUM of one year of the required experience.
• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Experience troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining engines, electrical systems, or boilers at a Power Plant.
• Successful completion of a state-accredited Apprenticeship Program in Electricity, Electronics Technology, Equipment Mechanics, or Marine Engineering.
• Experience and training on Allen-Bradley PLC as Caterpillar Engine Controller or similar, Emerson (Westinghouse) DCS or similar, and SEL Relay for Electrical Switchgear.
• Experience and training with troubleshooting, repairing, and overhauling Caterpillar G3600 and GG260 series gas engines.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):

• Proof of degree/transcript or certificate, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• Proof of apprenticeship completion, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: (619) 533-3337; or to the Employee Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue – Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.

Salary : $84,531 - $100,922