Sr. Utility Worker/Equipment Operator

Salary : $38.15 - $47.68 Hourly

Location : San Diego, CA

Job Type : Full-Time Regular

Job Number : 00280

Department : Operations

Division : Utility Maintenance

Opening Date : 01 / 23 / 2025

General Duties

Ideal Candidate

Are you an experienced Senior Utility Worker / Equipment operator with knowledge of construction and maintenance of water distribution, wastewater collection, reclamation and related facilities? Do you have the experience and ability to operate light / heavy construction equipment? Do you have strong safety values? If so, we would like to hear from you.

We welcome veterans and transitioning military. Are you a former member of the military with experience as a Construction Mechanic (CM), Equipment Operator (EO), Utilitiesman (UT), or someone in a similar occupation? If so, we encourage you to apply. Consider joining a team of hardworking employees who work to protect and preserve water, one of our most valuable natural resources. The experience you've gained during your service can continue to positively impact the world with a career at Otay.

About the Position and Department

This position in the Operations Department reports to the Utility Maintenance Supervisor and operating light / heavy equipment in the construction, maintenance of water distribution, wastewater collection, reclamation and related facilities. This position is a member of a dedicated, service-oriented team where collaboration and leadership are promoted at all levels.

The Operations Department is responsible for the operations, maintenance and repair of all Otay Water District facilities and equipment. Facilities include pipelines, reservoirs, pump stations, lift stations, and a reclamation plant for potable water and recycled water distribution, wastewater collections, and wastewater reclamation. The Operations Department has a staff of 56 employees.

Applications will be accepted until there are a sufficient number of highly qualified candidates from which to make a selection. However, for the earliest consideration, please submit your application materials by February 16, 2025. For information on the recruitment process, please go to the Employment section of our website or click

Examples of Duties

• Operates dump trucks, tractors, skid-steers, rubber tire backhoes, loaders, man lifts, track excavator and other equipment of comparable size and complexity.
• Operates cement mixers, compressors, compactors, jackhammers, concrete saws, drills, and other similar equipment as assigned.
• Loads trucks, excavates and back fills trenches, grades and maintains easements using a variety of motorized construction and maintenance equipment.
• Constructs, maintains and repairs pump stations, reservoirs, lift stations and other facilities.
• Installs, repairs and maintains water, wastewater and reclamation facilities.
• Reads sketches, blueprints, and survey stake markers for grading and trenching.
• Assists on maintenance and construction projects at all District facilities.
• Maintains documentation logs of the cleaning and inspection of the wastewater collection system in order to be in compliance with regulations.
• Documents maintenance of all District appurtenances.
• Sets up traffic control at work site as required.
• Shares in rotational on-call / standby duties.
• Ensures that equipment is in operating condition.
• Ensures all needed parts and materials are available as required.
• Follows safety regulations, guidelines and practices.
• Operates motorized equipment with skill and safety. Makes minor repairs, lubricates, and / or adds fuel as necessary.
• May act as lead person and fulfills the requirements of a Crew Leader as assigned.
• Responds to emergencies as required.
• Operates District vehicles.
• Performs duties of Utility I & II as required.

For the complete job description go to the Employment section of our website or click

Required Licenses and / or Certifications

Minimum Experience, Education, and Training Requirements

Experience :

Three (3) years of field experience in the operation, construction and maintenance of water, wastewater and / or water reclamation systems; including two (2) years experience in operating heavy equipment, backhoes and / or loaders.

Education :

High school diploma or G.E.D.

This position will be subject to random drug testing during employment.

This is an hourly, non-exempt position.

Otay Water District is a Smoking, Tobacoo and Nicotine Free Campus.

All Otay Water District employees are at-will pursuant to California Water Code, Section 71362.

Notice : Benefits listed below assume full-time regular status. These benefits do not apply to temporary appointments.

Scheduled salary increases include the following :

July 14, 2025 : 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment

July 13, 2026 : 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment

Annual Merit Increases : Eligible employees are eligible for 3% merit increase on an annual basis until they reach the top of their salary range, based on meeting expectations on their performance review.

Vacation : 12 days / year, increasing to a max of 23 days / year.

Sick Leave : 8 days / year, increasing to max of 15 days / year.

Paid Holidays : 14 days / year, including employee's birthday and two floating holidays.

Alternative Work Schedule : A 9 / 80 work schedule may be available based on the needs of the department. Upon approval, employees would work 80 hours over 9 days and enjoy one day off every two weeks. Some Operations department staff may be subject to a 4 / 10 work schedule (four 10-hour days within a week).

PERS Retirement : The District contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement plan that includes a lifetime benefit determined by a set formula (years of service, age at retirement, and final compensation). Employees hired after January 1, 2013, are subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).

Employee Contributions :

New Member (hired on or after 1 / 1 / 13 who are new CalPERS members or do not have reciprocity with CalPERS) :

District and employees share the normal employee CalPERS service contribution cost. Employees contribute 7.5% of salary toward the employee CalPERS service contribution cost up to the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.

Classic Member (hired before January 1, 2013, or who have reciprocity with CalPERS) :

Employees contribute 8% of salary towards the employee CalPERS service contribution cost.

The District is also a Social Security participant and the District and employee make contributions.

Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (457 Plan) : Optional plan designed to provide employees with additional retirement income. Employees may elect to contribute a portion of their income on a pre-tax or post-tax basis through payroll deductions.

Medical / Rx Insurance : Choice of Blue Shield PPO, EPO, HMO or Kaiser HMO plans, 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% for dependent(s).

Dental Insurance : 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% paid for dependent(s).

Vision : 100% premium paid by District for employee and 0% for dependent(s).

Flexible Benefits Plan : The District offers a healthcare and dependent care flexible benefits plan. The healthcare account reimburses the employee on a pre-tax basis for medical, pharmacy, dental and other related expenses not covered by the insurance plans. The dependent care account allows employees to pay for employment-related dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

Group Term Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance : 100% premium paid by the District for employee and eligible dependent(s). Depending on employees' annual earnings and / or position, amounts of Life and AD&D insurance range from $15,000 to $50,000. Eligible dependents have life insurance coverage of $1,000.

Voluntary Life Insurance : Employees may elect to cover themselves and eligible dependents for voluntary life insurance. The full cost of this insurance is paid by the employee via payroll deductions

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance : The District provides short-term and long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2 / 3% of your income after a 30-day elimination period (90-day elimination period for long term disability) if totally disabled due to illness or injury.

Education Reimbursement Program : Employees are eligible to receive reimbursement for District approved courses not to exceed $3,000 per fiscal year.

Certification Incentive Program : Eligible District employees that obtain target certifications that exceed the minimum job requirements may qualify for either a base pay percentage increase or receive a monetary incentive.

Employee Assistance Program : Provides confidential referrals and counseling concerning personal, family, or work-related issues for employees and their dependents.

Free Onsite Workout Facility : The District has a fully equipped exercise room for employees to use before work, after work or during lunchtime.

Yoga Classes : On-site Yoga classes are offered during the lunch hour at the employee's expense.

Retirement Benefits :

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) effective September 1, 2024 : A Health Reimbursement Arrangement is an interest-bearing, employer-funded account created in your name to reimburse you tax-free in retirement for eligible medical expenses and premiums. Otay Water District makes deposits of employer contributions and mandatory employee contributions while you are employed, but you will not be able to access funds until retirement or separation of service, having met Otay Water District's vesting requirements.

Tier II Eligibility for All Full-time Regular Employees Hired On or After September 1, 2024 :

All full-time, regular employees hired on or after September 1, 2024, will participate in a mandatory HRA Plan. The District and the employee will make contributions to the HRA Plan.

The District will contribute $4,000 annually to the employee's HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District for a maximum period of twenty (20) years. The employee will contribute $1,000.00 annually (or $40 per pay period for the first twenty-five (25) pay periods of the calendar year) to their HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District. There is a vesting schedule for this Plan as set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Otay Water District Employees Association, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.

Which best describes your field experience in the Operation, Construction and Maintenance of Water, Wastewater and Water Reclamation Systems?

Please elaborate on what field duties you have performed in the operation, construction and maintenance of Water, Wastewater and Water Reclamation Systems. If you do not have experience in this area, please type in "N / A". Please do not say "See Resume" or "See Application".

Do you have at least 2 years of experience operating heavy equipment on an active construction site?

Please elaborate on the type of heavy equipment you have used on an active construction site and what percentage of your job was using the heavy equipment. If you do not have experience in this area, please type in "N / A". Please do not say "See Resume" or "See Application".

Do you have the Class "A" driver's license required Endorsements (tanker and air brake)?

Do you know how to drive a vehicle with manual transmission (e.g. stick shift)?

Please describe any utility-based computer maintenance management / work order programs you have worked with. If you do not have experience in this area, please type in "N / A". Please do not state "See Resume" or "See Application".

Which best describes the highest grade level of the VALID Water Distribution Operator Certificate that you possess as issued by the California State Water Resource Control Board?

Which best describes the highest grade level of the VALID Collection System Maintenance Certificat that you possess as issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA)?

This position requires responding to emergencies and working nights or weekends as needed. Are you willing and able to work this type of schedule?

This position serves on as-needed on-call basis, including weekends and holidays, to ensure continuous coverage. Are you willing and able to work this type of schedule?

What else would you like to tell us that would make you the ideal candidate?

Required Question

Salary : $1,000 - $4,000