Maintenance Worker Trainee; Water & Sanitation

The Job

San Bernardino County Department of Public Works, Special Districts – Water and Sanitation Division is recruiting for Maintenance Worker Trainee. Under training conditions, these positions learn to perform routine maintenance, repair, and inspection tasks related to the operation of water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Upon successful completion of the training period, incumbents may automatically promote to Maintenance Worker I.

• Inspect and record pump station meter readings, monitor gauges, and ensure proper system operations.
• Assist with the installation, repair, and replacement of water mains, sewer lines, and service connections using digging and excavation methods.
• Operate and learn to operate a variety of equipment such as backhoes, dump trucks, mixers, bypass pumps, generators, combination cleaners, and air compressors.
• Maintain and support operation of system infrastructure including pipelines, storage tanks, wells, stations, control valves, and booster stations.
• Conduct inspections of water distribution and wastewater collection systems for safety, proper function, and regulatory compliance.
• Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs on pumps, motors, valves, compressors, and related equipment.
• Respond to emergency call‑outs and perform on‑call duties on a rotational basis, with the ability to respond within one hour in all weather and environmental conditions.

Working Conditions:

Applicants must be able to perform heavy manual labor and work outdoors in varying weather conditions; work in desert and mountainous areas, remote locations, and other locations as needed; have the ability to drive in all‑weather conditions; and work weekends and holidays and respond to emergency calls as needed.

Health and Physical:
Must meet health and physical condition standards; lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, and crawl for extended periods while performing job duties.

Certification:
Must obtain a State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Water Distribution Operator Grade D1 certification within 12 months or 2 consecutive test cycles from date of employment, or be terminated. Must obtain a SWRCB T1 Water Treatment certification, or a SWRCB Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I, within 18 months of employment, or be terminated.

License:
Must obtain and maintain a CA Class A unrestricted driver’s license with tanker endorsement within 18 months of employment or be terminated.

Travel:
Travel throughout the County is required. A valid CA driver’s license and proof of automobile liability insurance is required at time of appointment.

Promotion:
Maintenance Worker Trainees are eligible for promotion to Maintenance Worker I upon successful completion of training and probation, possession of the required certifications and licenses, and receiving a recent successful work performance evaluation; must promote within 18 months or be terminated.

Candidates must meet both the license and ONE (1) of the experience options listed below:

• License:
  Must possess a valid CA Class “C” Driver’s License.
• Experience Option A:
  Six (6) months of recent experience (within the last 5 years) in the maintenance, repair, or inspection of water/wastewater equipment and machinery.
• Experience Option B:
  Six (6) months of recent experience (within the last 5 years) of general plumber experience with water and sewer systems for residential, commercial, or industrial facilities.
• Experience Option C:
  Nine (9) units of completed coursework directly related to water supply, distribution, treatment, or wastewater technology fields.
• Experience Option D:
  Possession of a current CA State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Water Distribution Operator Grade D1, or Water Treatment Operator Grade T1, or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I certification.

The ideal candidate will possess a valid CA Class A unrestricted driver license with tanker and hazmat endorsements, in addition to possession of the SWRCB Water Distribution Operator Grade D1 certification, SWRCB T1 Water Treatment certification, and…