What are the responsibilities and job description for the Maintenance Worker Apprentice position at County of Santa Barbara?
We are accepting applications to fill Maintenance Worker - Apprentice vacancies in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez, and New Cuyama for the Public Works Department.
Applicants who currently possess a valid Class A California driver’s license and meet the minimum qualifications may be appointed to the Maintenance Worker I or Maintenance Worker II level.
NOTE: This position *REQUIRES* candidates that are hired for Maintenance Worker - Apprentice positions to obtain a California Class A Commercial Driver's License prior to completion of their probationary period (within 12 months) AND as a condition of continued employment.
We are also accepting applications to establish employment lists for future Full-Time, Part-Time, Civil Service Rule 1414* and Extra-Help Maintenance Worker - Apprentice vacancies in All Locations (Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez, and New Cuyama).
- NOTE: Positions vacated as a result of a leave of absence (Civil Service Rule 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under Civil Service Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department. The 1414 position is eligible for Full-Time benefits.
BENEFITS OVERVIEW!
- Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.
- Holidays: 13 days per year.
- Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
- Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium.
- On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age 15.
Click on Benefits Tab above or for more information on County benefits. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:
- Retirement reciprocity
- Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate
PLEASE SELECT WHICH VACANCY LOCATION(S) you would like to be considered for currently and for future vacancies. If you qualify for this position and pass the required selection steps, then your name will be sent to the hiring manager(s) of the vacancy location(s) where you have expressed that you are willing to work.
THE POSITION: Under close supervision, learns and performs a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled manual work in the construction, maintenance, and repair of roads, traffic, flood control, waste-handling, wastewater systems, and other public works facilities; and performs related duties as required.
IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL BE:
- Dependable
- A team player with good judgment
- Customer service oriented
- Honest and have great work ethics
- Self-motivated and take initiative
- Able to develop and maintain sound working relationships with diverse people and personalities
- Able to handle high stress situations and adapt to change
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Maintenance Worker – Apprentice, Maintenance Worker I/II is a flexibly staffed series in the Public Works Department. Employees typically enter the series at the Apprentice or Maintenance Worker I level depending on the needs of the department.
Maintenance Worker-Apprentice is the trainee class where employees possessing basic safety skills and the ability to learn are assigned to work crews and provided with the training, experience, and license qualifications required to flex to Maintenance Worker I within twelve (12) months. Maintenance Worker I is the working-level class in the series. Incumbents possess some general maintenance experience upon hire and receive training in Santa Barbara County maintenance practices on Public Works facilities as well as in the operation of a variety of power tools and light equipment within their area of assignment. Incumbents are expected to progress to Maintenance Worker II, the journey-level class, within a reasonable length of time.
Maintenance Worker - Apprentice and Maintenance Worker I incumbents may be assigned to any of the department's three operational divisions (Transportation, Water Resources, or Resource Recovery & Waste Management) and may transfer between or be reassigned to any of the department's five areas of specialization. (Transportation and Resource Recovery & Waste Management have two specialties.) Both classes are distinguished from Maintenance Worker II by the latter's lesser level of supervision received and the required specialization in any of the following areas:
- Road Maintenance: Responsibilities include: constructing, maintaining, and repairing County roads; trimming trees; and cleaning and maintaining drainage facilities. Typical duties include paving asphalt roads, sealing cracks, concrete repair, patching streets, mowing, tree trimming and weed abatement.
- Urban Forestry: Responsibilities include: planting, trimming, and maintaining urban roadway and bike path trees; responding to emergency tree fall work; weed abatement; median landscape maintenance; hardscape repair including removal and replacement of damaged concrete side walk, curb/gutter, and ADA access ramps (demo, grade, form, pour, and finish – concrete, and repair asphalt); work with individuals and community groups throughout the County to provide these services while being sensitive to the ecological, historical, and cultural values of the community and the needs of the Department.
- Traffic Maintenance: Responsibilities include: maintaining traffic markings and signage within County road right-of-way. Typical duties include painting roadway striping, legends, crosswalks, and curbs, and fabricating, erecting, and repairing street signs.
- Flood Control Maintenance: Responsibilities include: constructing, maintaining, and repairing countywide flood control facilities and natural waterways. Typical duties include building headwalls, trimming trees, controlling weeds, and removing brush and debris from roadside ditches, culverts, and creeks.
- Solid Waste Maintenance: Responsibilities include: maintaining tipping pad, grounds, and buildings at County waste-handling facilities. Typical duties include drainage/erosion control, small construction projects, weed abatement, and litter control.
- Wastewater System Maintenance: Responsibilities include: cleaning, maintaining and inspecting sewer lines and manholes in roadways and field areas, and performing grounds and building maintenance at the Laguna County Sanitation District wastewater facilities. Typical duties include sewer line flushing, video inspection, and repair.
Maintenance Worker I incumbents typically promote to Maintenance Worker II within their area of specialization however training opportunities may be available in other specialties for incumbents who wish to promote to Maintenance Worker II in a specialty other than their current area of assignment.
The Public Works Department: The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department consists of five divisions: Transportation, Resource Recovery and Waste Management, Flood Control & Water Resources, the County Surveyors Office, and Administration. The County's Public Works Department employees are committed to efficiently providing, operating and maintaining public works infrastructure, facilities and services to make everyday life as safe and convenient as possible for the public we serve. To learn more about us, visit www.countyofsb.org/pwd/.
Visit the Public Works Department's
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Examples of Duties
- Receives training necessary to obtain a California Class A Commercial Driver's license; learns to hitch small trailers to trucks; and learns to safely tie down material loads on trailers.
- Learns to and operates light equipment including forklifts, highlifts, tractor mowers, and chippers.
- Learns to and uses hand and power tools including lutes, tampers, chain saws, jack hammers, concrete saws, vibra plates, weed wackers, air pressure guns, paint mixers and sprayers, bott-dot, and thermoplastic machines.
- Learns and applies MUTCD work zone traffic control guidelines at work sites on and adjacent to roadways; sets up signs, cones, and barriers to notify motorists of detours; flags vehicular traffic; and directs pedestrian traffic away from hazardous areas.
- Receives and carries out oral and written job assignments; lifts, carries, and loads tools and materials into work vehicles; reads maps; and drives County vehicles including pick-ups, dump trucks, stake-beds, water trucks, spray rigs, flushing trucks, bobtails, paint stripers, and video vans to/from, and at work sites.
- Completes written time cards, daily work logs, and equipment maintenance logs.
- Attends safety training sessions to learn and review safe work practices; reads and reviews written safety instructions, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) labels, and training materials; and applies safety knowledge learned to daily work practices.
- Responds to declared and localized emergency situations during and outside regular working hours; and may be temporarily assigned the duties of specialty areas other than current area of assignment in emergency situations and for training purposes.
Employment Standards
- Experience driving a pick-up truck, van, or other heavy vehicle that required the use of side mirrors while driving forward and in reverse;
- Experience safely lifting and carrying heavy objects; and
- Possession of the required knowledge and abilities for this class as listed below:
Additional Requirements:
- A valid Driver's License is required at the time of application.
- A valid California Class C Driver's License is required at the time of appointment.
- Appointees must obtain a California Class A Commercial Driver's License prior to completion of probationary period (12 months), as a condition of continued employment with no Restrictions such as: (L) - No Air Brake equipped CMV, or (E) - No Manuel Transmission/Automatic Transmission Only.
Once an incumbent has obtained the Class A Commercial Driver's license and is assigned duties requiring a Class A Commercial Driver's license, the person will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs prior to being assigned work requiring such a license; once assigned, incumbents will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs and/or alcohol on a random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up basis.
Knowledge of: safe driving rules and practices; and safe lifting and carrying practices.
Ability to: understand and follow oral and written instructions; safely drive a pick-up truck; safely lift and carry heavy objects; learn and follow departmental safety practices and procedures; learn and operate a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles, and light equipment; keep simple written records and reports; work as part of a team; and develop and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the course of work including other crew members and the general public.
Supplemental Information
Incumbents in this classification may be exposed to a variety of hazardous and/or unpleasant field conditions, including: wet, rainy, cold, or hot weather; poison oak; traffic; exhaust fumes; trash or sewage; and exposure to chemicals. Performing the essential functions of this classification requires various types of physical exertion, such as prolonged bending, stooping, and lifting; walking on uneven terrain, such as road shoulders and creek beds; and driving vehicles and/or equipment for long periods of time. In addition, incumbents in this classification may be required to work outside normal business hours during declared and localized emergency situations.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:
- Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
- Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking - Applications that meet the employment standards will be evaluated and scored. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 10 qualified candidates.
- Skills Assessment (Online): Candidates will be required to successfully complete and pass an online skills assessment. Candidates will be notified by email with instructions on obtaining and completing the assessment. You must complete and pass this assessment in order to be placed on the eligible employment list.
NOTE: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this position (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability. To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 to the Human Resources Department when you complete your application, and (3) pass all phases of the Application & Selection process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.
Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.
The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.
Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. We will begin adding this language to all of our bulletins moving forward.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: April 30, 2025 at 4:59 PM. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day atwww.sbcountyjobs.com.
Kim Clark, Public Works Human Resources Coordinator, kiclark@countyofsb.org
- BENEFITS: Retirement Plans Generous County Defined Benefit Plan Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: https://www.sbcers.org/ and http://www.santabarbara457.comHealth Benefits Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more! For more information on our health benefits, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/4012/Health-BenefitsPaid Time Off Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below) Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)Miscellaneous Benefits County Paid Term Life Insurance County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance Childcare and Employee Discounts Relocation Assistance may apply Flexible work schedule may apply For more information on all of these benefits, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/4013/24636/WorkLife-BenefitsCompensation Summary To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/3085/SEIU-Local-620 *This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.
