Description
The Department of Public Works is seeking well-qualified candidates for the position of Utility Worker I/II.
About The Department
The Department of Public Works plans, designs, constructs, operates and maintains facilities and equipment that are safe and accessible to the clients of County agencies, the general public, and County employees. The Department advises the Board of Supervisors on all public works issues, including rates and charges for services that are fair to both the users and service providers. Public Works has a budget of approximately $300 million and is comprised of over 300 employees in five divisions: Administrative Services, Airports, Engineering and Resource Protection, Facility and Capital Projects, and Road Services. To learn more about the department visit: https://www.smcgov.org/publicworks.
The Position
Utility Workers perform a variety of manual tasks such as building and grounds maintenance, minor equipment repair, and transportation of materials, and supplies in a locked facility.
As part of their duties, Utilities Workers assist the skilled trade workers including painters, carpenters, and engineers. Other duties include, but are not limited to: operating and maintaining equipment or hand tools used in the maintenance of buildings, grounds, and facilities; assembling, maintaining, and repairing equipment and furniture; providing complete custodial services to areas such as medical examination rooms, public restrooms, and lobbies; utilizing the assistance of and instructing incarcerated individuals, clients, or other staff to perform work; ordering and receiving supplies, tools, and equipment; delivering supplies to appropriate areas; digging holes, cleaning-out gutters or storm drains, and disposing of debris; operating a car, van, or light delivery vehicle to transport materials; operating and maintaining power tools, hand tools, and specialized equipment; and performing related duties as assigned.
The ideal candidate will be:
- Knowledgeable and able to assist skilled trade workers including painters, carpenters, electricians, and engineers.
- Highly organized and able to work collaboratively with others.
- Able to lead by example and demonstrate exceptional attendance, attitude, communication, safety practices, and appropriate workplace behavior.
- An excellent driver with a good driving record and willing to help in picking up and delivering parts and supplies.
Other Requirements: Prior to hire, some positions require candidates to complete an extensive security clearance package and undergo a thorough background check conducted by the County of San Mateo Sheriff's Office.
Examples Of Duties:
As a Utility Worker, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks, which may include but are not limited to the following:
- Lift, move, load, arrange, and transport materials or supplies such as furniture, mattresses, heavy equipment, records, mail, money, or waste materials.
- Operate and maintain equipment or hand tools used in the maintenance of buildings, grounds, and facilities.
- Assemble, maintain, and repair equipment and furniture.
- Utilize the assistance of and instruct inmates, clients, or other staff to perform work.
- Remove and replace light bulbs.
- Order and receive supplies, tools, and equipment; review invoices against supplies received; and deliver supplies to the appropriate area.
- Water, trim, and remove trees, plants, and weeds.
- Dig holes, clean out gutters or storm drains, and dispose of debris.
- Maintain logs, coordinate work requests, and perform related office support tasks.
- Operate a car, van, or light delivery vehicle to transport materials.
- Fuel vehicles as required and report the need for service repair.
- Operate and maintain power tools, hand tools, and specialized equipment.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
The Utility Worker position may be assigned to one of multiple sections within the Department. At this time, up to three different sections of the Facilities and Capital Projects Division are seeking qualified applicants. More information on the various Divisions and sections of the Department is available at: https://www.smcgov.org/publicworks/our-organization.
The Building Services section provides janitorial services and a variety of building services for more than 70 County facilities, with over 4 million in total square footage. Core activities of the section include interior office maintenance, exterior office maintenance, receipt and delivery of supplies, room set-up and office configuration, and parking control. If hired into the Building Services section, additional duties may be:
- Provide complete custodial services and support to the custodial staff.
- Provide support and services to our parking structures and parking enforcement which may include providing custodial services and issuing parking citations.
- Maintain and clean all outdoor premises which may include pressure washing, window washing, operating a sweeper, etc.
The Facilities Maintenance & Operations Redwood City section is responsible for the operation, maintenance, installation and repair of machinery and equipment in County operated buildings. This includes HVAC systems, boilers, lighting systems, refrigeration, generators, water treatment, and emergency power systems. It also includes crafts services such as carpentry, painting, plumbing, and lock smithing services required to maintain County facilities. If hired into the Facilities Maintenance & Operations (FM&O) section, additional skills needed, and duties may include:
- Identify weeds from plants.
- Work independently.
- Dig and set sign and fence posts.
- Attached signs to wood and/or metal posts.
Construction Services provides competitive professional crafts services beyond the scope of routine maintenance provided by the Facilities Operations and Maintenance section, and contracts with the County and Cities to provide carpentry, graffiti abatement, and lighting district services. Trades represented include electrical, plumbing, carpentry and painting. If hired into the Construction Services section, additional duties may be:
- Assist trades with painting, carpentry, light electrical, and clean-up of work site.
- Empty trash at offices and vacuum floors.
- Dig trenches or post holes on various projects.
- Handle small moving jobs for other departments.
- Knowledge of how to use hand and power tools.
Qualifications
Utility Worker I ($28.35 - $35.45/Hourly) is the entry or trainee level class in this series. Initially, under close supervision, incumbents perform the more routine duties while receiving on-the-job instruction and gaining practical experience. As experience is gained, there is greater independence of action within established guidelines. Incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications of the higher-level class.
Utility Worker II ($29.90 - $37.38/Hourly) is the experienced journey level class in this series. Under general supervision, incumbents independently perform the full range of duties. All the positions are characterized by the presence of fairly clear guidelines from which to make decisions and the availability of supervision in non-routine circumstances. Incumbents should demonstrate a thorough knowledge of operations and procedures and the ability to independently accomplish day-to-day tasks under normal conditions and to instruct others.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is: One year of experience providing building and facility maintenance and minor equipment repair.
Knowledge of:
- Methods, materials, operations, tools, and practices used in moving, loading, arranging, and transporting materials, records, and supplies.
- Principles and techniques used in basic custodial services and minor equipment repair.
- Fixtures, building hardware, and equipment.
- Safety regulations, precautions, and practices.
- Methods, practices and equipment used in the receipt, storage, handling and ordering of materials and equipment.
- Basic arithmetic.
Skill/Ability to:
- Follow safety practices.
- Follow oral and written instructions.
- Communicate effectively and tactfully with customers and others.
- Make accurate estimates of time and materials required to perform the job.
- Properly use and care for vehicles, tools, and equipment used in the job.
- Instruct and direct the work of incarcerated individuals and others in the performance of the job.
- Lift, carry, push, or move materials, supplies, or equipment up to 50 lbs; climb ladders; and walk or stand for long periods of time.
Application/Examination
Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%) which may include a performance exam. Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in County of San Mateo, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 by 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Panel Interview: Wednesday, May 28 and/or Thursday, May 29, 2025
