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Applications accepted until Friday, October 31, 2025

Written Exam: November 25, 2025

Oral Exam: TBD

Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completing a city application.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

DEFINITION

Under supervision, operates and maintains equipment and facilities of the water and wastewater system on an assigned shift, and performs other duties as assigned. Incumbents in this position who satisfactorily pass their probationary period and possess a State Water Resources Control Board Grade 1 Operator’s Certificate and a State of California Department of Health Services for Water Treatment Grade 2 Certificate are eligible for appointment to the Water/Wastewater Operator I classification upon recommendation of the Director of Water and Wastewater Resources.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Monitor the operation of the water system in accordance with federal and state regulations determining judicial regulation of water flow from wells and other supply sources, reservoirs and pumping stations, using electronic and mechanical instrumentation controls; perform hydrant tests, distribution system shutdowns, service restorations and flushing.

Monitor the operation of the wastewater treatment plant, in accordance with federal and state regulations by controlling flow and processing of wastewater biosolids and effluent.

Typical duties for both the water and wastewater system include:

Monitor gauges, dials, meters and control panels and other recording instruments, interpreting results to determine processing requirements, and record data and maintain routine and daily records and shift logs; lubricate, clean, and adjust equipment; identify problems and prepare detailed work orders; respond to customer's requests for service; collect samples and perform basic laboratory analyses and interpret results; perform general plant maintenance work such as sweeping, cleaning, sanding, and painting and general grounds maintenance work; may have to work under adverse conditions and/or on various shifts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: Basic safety practices and hazards related to the operation of wastewater treatment plants.

Ability to: Work safely and effectively on various shifts; follow oral and written directions; perform heavy manual labor; learn to safely operate equipment used in water and wastewater treatment facilities, collect samples and perform standard laboratory tests of potable water, wastewater, receiving waters and biosolids and interpret such tests; read and interpret gauges and recording devices and keep adequate records; perform mathematical computations involved in the operation of water and wastewater facilities; use CRTs and PCs;, adjust treatment processes as indicated by plant conditions; work independently; interact positively and cooperate with co-workers, respond politely to customers, work as a team member, function under demanding time pressure, respond in a positive manner to supervision, and attend work and perform duties on a regular and consistent basis.

Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent. Successful completion of one three-unit semester course which is directly related to wastewater treatment and which is part of the curriculum of an accredited college or university is desirable. Continuing education in related subjects is desirable.

Experience: One year of experience in full-time employment.

Physical Requirements: Moderate, and sometimes strenuous exertion required, including sustained walking, standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, lifting and carrying. May have to work on ladders, in tunnels and confined spaces, hazardous atmospheres and in protective garments. May work in adverse conditions which require exposure to inclement weather, noise, noxious odors, gases, or contact with water and/or wastewater.

License:

Must be able to obtain an Operator In Training Certificate within 90 days of appointment. Must pass the State Water Resources Control Board Grade I Wastewater Treatment Operator Examination prior to the expiration of the Operator-in-Training Certificate. Possession of a certificate issued by The State Water Resources Control Board for Water Treatment Operator I, or the ability to obtain within 18 months of appointment.

Possession of a certificate issued by The State Water Resources Control Board for Water Distribution Operator I, or the ability to obtain within 18 months of appointment.

Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License (including acceptable driving record.)

Sewer Maintenance Worker I/II
 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  Apply by Friday, October 31 , 2025 at 5:00 p.m. 

THE CITY is focused on enhancing our community members’ quality of life through well-designed services and a positive workplace culture.  San Rafael is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, and its high quality of life is centered on its commercial districts, engaged neighborhoods, active lifestyle, and natural environment.  San Rafael (population 61,000) is a full-service city with a city council/city manager form of government with 12 departments, more than 400 employees, and an annual budget of $180 million.  The City’s vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity.  The City Council is engaged and seeks to strengthen the urban and commercial areas as well as sustain the beautiful natural environment. 

San Rafael’s Organizational culture framework is an initiative called “Together San Rafael.”  City employees are our greatest asset, and we seek talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are creative, curious, and excited about a challenge.  We are a results-driven team focused on the needs of community members.  The Together San Rafael initiative is focused on modernizing City services and increasing the engagement of employees.  This initiative recognizes the interconnectedness of the customer and employee experience. 

THE DEPARTMENT:

The City of San Rafael Sanitation District's mission is to protect the public health and the environment through proactively planning and operating a fiscally responsible and safe wastewater collection system.  Our crew of eight maintains 32 pump stations, 13 miles of force main, and clean 132 miles of sewer pipelines.  This collection and transportation system then delivers wastewater for treatment to the Central Marin Sanitation Agency.  

THE POSITION:

The City of San Rafael Sanitation District is seeking a Sewer Maintenance Worker I/II (TWO positions available).  Under general supervision, the employee performs a variety of manual and semiskilled tasks involved in the maintenance, improvement and operation of the City's sewage pumping stations and gravity sewer lines.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (may include but are not limited to the following).  CLICK HERE to view full job description:    

• Operates light power driven, hand held and "walk behind" equipment and uses shovels, rakes, other hand tools, jackhammers, dump trucks in the performance of assigned duties.
• Performs manual and semiskilled work in flushing, clearing, maintaining sewer and storm drainage, pipelines, culverts, force mains, and pumping stations.
• Performs or assists in starts, stops, inspects, lubricates and adjusts pumps, valves, motors, drive shafts,  universal joints and flow rates at pumping stations.
• Performs or assists in taking chemical samples and adjusts rate of chemical flows.
• Performs or assists in removing and replacing pumps, motors, valves and related, and performs repairs.  May rebuild components on a limited basis.
• Performs or assists in excavation and repair or replacement of sewer gravity lines.
• Places traffic barriers and warning signs and directs traffic as necessary.
• Assists in the orientation and on-the-job-training of new employees.
• Assists in notifying residents of sewer system work which may affect their lines, and cooperates with other agencies on repairs.
• Assists in emergency Public Works repairs and maintenance including work in other sections of the Department.
• Performs related duties as required.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skill, and ability outlined in the job description is:

Level I:

• Sufficient formal and/or informal education to provide the necessary reading and communication skills; AND
• Some prior experience in street maintenance work that would include mechanical and hydraulic repair of pumps, gates, valves, pipelines and related.

Level II:

• Equivalent to graduation from high school.
• Two years of increasingly responsible experience in the operations and maintenance of Public Works sewage pumping stations and gravity sewer lines, equivalent to the Sewer Maintenance Worker I classification at the City of San Rafael.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Within one year of hire as a Sewer Maintenance Worker I, must possess a valid California Driver's License with a tank endorsement to drive the vactor in a training capacity.
• Level II:  Must possess a valid California Class "B" license and have a satisfactory driving record
• Level I and Level II:  Must be willing to work underground, in confined places, in and near bacterially contaminated liquids, and in exposure to unpleasant and potentially hazardous conditions. 
• Level I and Level II:  Must be willing to work overtime and on call as needed for emergency repairs.
• Incumbents assigned to this job classification are subject to the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Regulations.  See City of San Rafael DOT Policy

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee is occasionally   required to sit.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, and fumes or airborne particles.  The employee is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and outside weather conditions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock and vibration.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.    

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS: 

City of San Rafael application is required.  Resumes do not substitute for the city application.  Candidates should detail related education and experience on the application.  The examination process may include the following application appraisal and oral board interview examination.  The passing point for the oral board examination final score will be 70%.   Note: Prior to appointment, the candidate may be required to pass a background check/fingerprinting and clear DMV record.  To file an application, go to:  www.calopps.org.  Select “Member Agencies”.   Select “San Rafael”.   Follow this link to apply via CalOpps:   https://www.calopps.org/san-rafael/job-20668430.  

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:  The City of San Rafael will make reasonable accommodations in the exam process to accommodate disabled applicants.  If you have a disability for which you require accommodation, please contact us at (415) 485-3474 before the test date.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.  Such accommodation must be requested by the applicant. 

This job opportunity is continuous and application reviews are performed periodically.

San Mateo is a city of approximately 104,000 residents, strategically located midway between San Francisco and San Jose, and is within the Silicon Valley.  One of the City’s strengths is its diversity, both in the ethnic makeup and the physical development of the community.  San Mateo has a vibrant business and retail environment with national and international businesses, two major shopping centers and an active downtown.  The community values its historic and new residential neighborhoods and recently approved a major new Transit Oriented Development that will add 1,500 new homes, 300,000 square feet of new retail and as much as 1.5 million square feet of commercial office space.  

The City organization has a culture of innovation, collaboration and strong customer service.  The City’s annual budget is $191 million and is staffed by approximately 540 full time employees.  The City is continually evaluating new and innovative ways of providing high quality services to its residents while acknowledging the competing demands for the limited funds available. Find out more interesting facts at:  www.cityofsanmateo.org.

Look at some of the reasons why the City of San Mateo is a great place to work, https://youtu.be/_GTIzeSpc_g

The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a 15.7 MDG sub-regional facility that serves an estimated 164,545 customers  administering the annual operation and maintenance budget over $12.8 million with a staff of 34 professional and technical personnel.  The City of San Mateo is building a team tasked with the safe and continuous operation of the current expansion of this conventional activated sludge plant by introducing new facilities including; preliminary treatment, primary treatment, enhanced biological nutrient removal/membrane bioreactors (BNR/MBR), biological and chemically enhanced treatment (BioACTIFLO), and additional upgrades to existing process equipment. A vital and instrumental member of this team is the WWTP Operator III.

The Position

This position will receive general direction from the Chief Plant Operator and instruction from their Shift Supervisor to provide daily guidance to lower level operators and trainees. The WWTP Operator III will be responsible for supporting these efforts to guide, develop and mentor staff on their assigned shift, act in a supervisory capacity in the absence of the Shift Supervisor, and is the assigned lead in getting both scheduled and unscheduled work completed. Those who have prepared themselves and are ready for the challenge to use their skills as a journey-level wastewater professional should seriously consider this opportunity.

This position is assigned rotating shifts working nights, weekends, and holidays with on-call emergency response 24 hours per day.  However, along with this challenge is the benefit of working  a 12-hour shift that results in a very favorable work/life balance and requires the minimum commuting days as compared to other standard 8-hour shifts.

The Duties

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to the following.

Operate wastewater treatment facilities to control flow and processing of wastewater, sludge and effluent; monitor gauges, meters and control panels; observe variation in operating conditions, interpreting meter and gauge readings and test results to determine process requirements.

• Operate valves and gates; start and stop pumps, engines and electric motors to control and adjust flow and treatment processes; operate and maintain boilers; perform routine maintenance work on valves, tanks, related equipment and facilities to optimize performance.
• Maintain appropriate plant records to support water quality goals.
• Perform the duties of the Designated Operator-in-Charge when required in accordance with State regulations.
• Operate rolling vehicles and stationary machinery as required to perform essential job functions.
• Foster and maintain good working relationships and provide excellent customer service in the course of their work.
• Assist in the inventory, requisition, and purchase of supplies and materials.
• Supervise and train less experienced operators on assigned shift.