Operations & Maintenance Technician IV - Equipment Operator; Backhoe​/Excavator

Position: Operations & Maintenance Technician IV - Equipment Operator (Backhoe/Excavator)
Operations & Maintenance Technician IV
- Equipment Operator (Backhoe/Excavator)

Job :

Job Location s: US-CA-Riverside

Posted Date: 11/5/2026 2:23 PM

Application Filing Period:
November 5, 2026 - November 23, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. PT

# of Openings: 1

Min: USD $47.07/Hr.

Max: USD $61.93/Hr.

Work Schedule:

4/10 Fulltime

Group: INTEGRATED OPS PLAN&SUPPT SRVC

Section: OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES

Unit: CONSTRUCTION SVCS UNIT

Team: EASTERN CONSTRUCTION TEAM

Bargaining Unit Name / Code: 02 - AFSCME

At the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we deliver reliable water to a region with 19 million people-and to accomplish this, we rely on a team of Talented Employees: innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who make it all possible.

This recruitment may result in an Eligibility List*.

The Operations and Maintenance Technician IV
- Equipment Operator (Backhoe/Excavator) functions as a journey-level professional who leverages extensive field experience and technical knowledge to manage both light and heavy machinery.

In this role you will be responsible for the repair, relocation, and service connection of massive pipelines measuring up to 13 feet in diameter. This role requires installation of concrete-reinforced structures and encasements; construction of buildings and substructures; and heavy construction shoring (heavy beams and steel plates) activities. Hands-on utility tasks include concrete breaking, placing and tying reinforcing steel, and completing cast-in-place reinforced concrete finishes.

As Operations and Maintenance Technician IV
- Equipment Operator (Backhoe/Excavator), you will operate an extensive equipment portfolio. This ranges from standard vehicles and multiple-axle trucks or trailers to specialized heavy machinery including excavators, dozers, backhoes, loaders, tractors, dump trucks, water trucks, and cranes.

The working environment demands high adaptability, as tasks frequently require working inside large-diameter pipes beneath residential streets and operating within underground substructures. Furthermore, you must be available to travel and work in remote desert locations for an estimated eight weeks throughout the year. Travel typically occurs in one- or two-week increments, though schedules may vary based on evolving project needs.

Expectations of Hours of Service, Emergency and Stand-by Service:

Employees in this position may be required to work off-shift hours and/or stand-by service to address operational needs and emergencies as required. May be required to work extended periods away from the normal reporting location.

What You'll Do

• Primary Tool:
  Operate excavators and backhoes for precision trench excavation.
• Truck Driving:
  Drive dump trucks, water trucks, vacuum trucks and stake bed trucks.
• Water Assets:
  Facility Maintenance including vegetation removal, grading of patrol roads and other repairs on MWD infra structure.
• Roadway Support:
  Build and maintain access roads and rights-of-way.
• Hauling:
  Load and transport equipment using multiple-axle trucks and trailers.

This opening is for the Operations and Maintenance Technician IV
- Equipment Operator (Backhoe/Excavator) located in the Construction Services Unit at our Lake Mathews Reservoir Facility in Riverside

Schedule

4/10 - (Monday
- Thursday 6:00am - 4:30pm)

This job announcement has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification / job.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma or high school equivalency certificate in addition to a minimum of 6 years in a heavy construction equipment operation position.

OR

High school diploma or high school equivalency certificate and attainment of journey level skills through a recognized equipment operator trade training program and/or applicable related experience within a industrial environment.

Relevant Experience

Experience and knowledge as demonstrated by journey-level practical application of techniques and practices specific to heavy equipment operations. The necessary skills include effective, legal and safe operation of a variety of motorized equipment including light and heavy construction equipment. Also requires journey-level skills in preventive and corrective maintenance practices related to general construction that are normally associated with equipment operation and are generally obtained through applicable training and experience.

CERTIFICATIONS,

LICENSES, AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Employees in this position may be…