Maintenance Helper- Water

Position Overview

Part‑time, temporary, at‑will employment. May work up to 29 hours per week, up to a maximum of 960 hours in a fiscal year. DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR FULL‑TIME BENEFITS. This recruitment will close on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. or once we receive the first 50 applications, whichever occurs first.

Under supervision, performs a variety of unskilled and semi‑skilled tasks involved in the maintenance, repair or servicing of City buildings and facilities, City streets, sidewalks, sewers, storm facilities, parks, recreation areas and open spaces; operates trucks and heavy equipment; uses a variety of hand and power tools and equipment; performs related duties as required.

The Maintenance Helper is an entry level classification assigned to public works or parks maintenance areas which include streets and sidewalks, water and sewer systems, traffic signs and signals, municipal buildings, parks, recreation areas and other facilities.

Works under the lead direction of a higher‑level maintenance worker or under the supervision of a maintenance supervisor. Does not exercise supervisory responsibilities.

• Assists with preparation of surfaces for painting; applies paint, varnish, shellac, enamel or other protective finishes to various surfaces.
• Removes graffiti from City, public, private and commercial properties using appropriate solvents; paints surfaces covering graffiti; participates in community neighborhood clean‑up activities.
• Assists with routine plumbing, electrical and carpentry maintenance and repair.
• Assists with the repair and maintenance of streets, curbs, gutters, driveways, sidewalks and storm drains; breaks up concrete and/or asphalt surfaces; digs, shovels, hauls and loads and unloads soils, sands, asphalt mixes and other materials.
• Assists with installation, repair and maintenance of water distribution system.
• Assists with routine maintenance of parks, grounds and recreation areas, including watering, weeding, planting, ball field marking and trash pick‑up.
• Operates hand, power and heavy equipment related to maintenance; may perform routine maintenance on equipment; cleans up work sites upon completion of jobs.
• Assists with traffic sign repairs and replacement, traffic striping and legend painting; provides maintenance and refurbishment barricades; assists with sewer maintenance operations.
• Sets out cones, signs, barricades and flags at work sites for safety purposes and to secure from traffic.
• Completes log of work performed; may prepare records to note facility conditions and equipment use.

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary. A typical way of obtaining the knowledge and abilities would be any combination of graduation from high school or equivalent and six (6) months of experience in maintenance work using a variety of tools. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California Class C driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record is required.

Knowledge of methods, materials and equipment used in general maintenance work; safety regulations related to maintenance work. Ability to use hand tools appropriately; operate mechanical and power equipment; make minor repairs to fixtures and equipment; work safely and independently; understand and follow oral and written directions; organize various work tasks; generate and maintain accurate work records; perform physically demanding work; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with supervisors, other employees and the public.

The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, crouch, bend, talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds and is subject to vibration. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is sometimes noisy.

Work requires regular exposure to fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals. Incumbents are occasionally exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

The City of South Gate is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability (mental or physical), medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression or pregnancy), sexual orientation, or military or veteran status in its employment actions, policies, procedures or practices.

The City of South Gate is located in Southern California, approximately 12 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.