Location
Description
Applications are being accepted for the position of Plant Utility Worker with the City of South San Francisco in the Public Works Department.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025 AT 5:00 PM, OR UPON RECEIPT OF THE FIRST 100 ONLINE APPLICATIONS, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.
THE CITY OFFERS AN ATTRACTIVE BENEFIT PACKAGE, AS WELL AS CALPERS RETIREMENT PLAN AND SOCIAL SECURITY PARTICIPATION.
The Department
The South San Francisco Public Works Department is comprised of its three main divisions - Engineering, Maintenance & Operations, and the Water Quality Control Plant. Together, these divisions ensure that South San Francisco's infrastructure and public services are efficiently managed and maintained, contributing to the overall quality of life in the community.
Located adjacent to San Francisco Bay on Colma Creek, the Water Quality Control Plant (WQCP) provides secondary wastewater treatment for the cities of South San Francisco, San Bruno, and Colma. It also provides the dechlorination treatment of chlorinated effluent for the cities of Burlingame, Millbrae, and the San Francisco International Airport prior to discharging the treated wastewater into San Francisco Bay. The average dry weather flow through the facility is 9 million gallons per day (MGD). Peak wet weather flows can exceed 60 MGD.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal Plant Utility Worker is a dependable, hands-on individual who takes pride in supporting the operation and upkeep of essential public infrastructure. This person is reliable, hardworking, and capable of performing a wide range of manual tasks, including operating various hand and power tools, and working in confined spaces and challenging outdoor environments. The ideal candidate is experienced in general maintenance or labor-intensive roles, is familiar with the safe and effective operation of trucks, forklifts, and light motorized equipment, and is comfortable performing basic mechanical tasks such as painting, minor repairs, and equipment cleaning. They are safety-conscious and understand the importance of adhering to OSHA regulations and City safety protocols, particularly when handling hazardous materials or responding to emergencies.
The candidate is organized, proactive, and able to prioritize tasks with minimal supervision while maintaining a strong commitment to customer service and workplace safety. Strong communication skills are essential, as the ideal candidate must be able to follow both oral and written instructions, work well as part of a team, and interact professionally with coworkers and the public. The ideal candidate is also flexible with work hours and has the ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and during emergency callouts, and brings a positive, can-do attitude to their work every day. Prior experience in a water treatment or utility setting is highly desirable.
QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
Experience: One year of experience as a laborer or in general maintenance.
Training: Equivalent to graduation from high school.
Licenses/Certifications: All licenses and certificates must be maintained as a condition of employment.
- Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record, which must be maintained as a condition of employment.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain a Forklift certification by the end of the probationary period.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
To be considered, the following REQUIRED items must be submitted at time of application:
- City application
- Responses to the supplemental questionnaire
NOTE: Applications must be filled out in their entirety. Failure to complete the application and/or supplemental questions or failure to include a required attachment will disqualify the applicant from the recruitment process. Failure to list work experience, education or training or indicating “see resume” in the work experience section of the application will be considered an incomplete application and subject to disqualification. Additionally, only the application materials and documents specifically requested within this job announcement will be accepted and considered. Any supplemental documents submitted that are not required will not be reviewed as part of the application process.
THE SELECTION PROCESS:
The process will first consist of a review of application materials, including responses to supplemental questions, which must be detailed and complete. Applicants whose submitted application materials demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities in the best alignment with the required and desired qualifications of this position will be selected to participate in the next phase of the qualification and selection process, which will include an oral panel interview, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Following this examination, the top scoring candidates will be invited to a final selection interview with the hiring department.
To review complete job descriptions which include all special requirements, go to www.ssf.net
Benefits
Retirement: CalPERS retirement formula is 2% at age 60 for Classic members or; 2% at age 62 for “new members” as defined by Government Code §7522.04(e). Social Security and Medicare participation and the option to participate in 457 deferred compensation plans. City contributes equivalent of 1.5% of base pay towards a medical after-retirement account.
Health Insurance: City offers a choice of medical HMO (two providers) or PPO plan, and offers vision and dental coverage. City pays 100% of vision and dental premiums for employee and eligible dependents. Employees shall contribute 10% of the HMO premium cost based on category of coverage (single, two, family). For PPO, employee pays cost difference between PPO and HMO plans. City provides 100% City-paid short- and long-term disability insurances. The City offers a discretionary benefit account for employees who demonstrate health coverage elsewhere.
Vacation: Fifteen to thirty working days annual vacation, based on the length of service.
Holidays: Thirteen total paid holidays per year plus one floating holiday.
Programs: 457 Deferred Compensation, Paid Family Leave, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Long-Term Care, Disability and Life Insurance Programs, City Recreation Classes, Reduced-fee Childcare Programs and Commuter Benefit Programs are available.
This classification is in an employee bargaining unit.
Special Instructions
Prior to appointment, candidates will be required to submit to any or all of the following (as applicable):
- Reference Check
- SSF Background Check
- Pre-Employment Medical Examination and Drug Screen
A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to the nature and recency of the conviction and relationship to job duties. All City standards must be met before the final appointment is made.
Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the recruitment process should advise the Human Resources Department upon submittal of application.
Candidates requesting veteran’s preference must provide a copy of U.S. Government DD Form 214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" as an attachment to their CalOpps application.
The policy of the City of South San Francisco is to grant equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or national origin. It is the intent and desire of the City of South San Francisco that equal employment opportunity will be provided in recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The City of South San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).