Public Works Technician I/II (20664950)

The Department of Public Works is accepting applications for the position of Public Works Technician I/II. Under general supervision, Public Works Technicians perform a variety of routine to journey level sub-professional technical, field, and office civil engineering work in a variety of technical areas.

The current vacant Public Works Technician I/II position is in the Road Operations - Permitting Section of the Road Services Division.

The Road Maintenance Division of County of San Mateo's Department of Public Works is responsible for routine and emergency repairs to over 315 miles of road surfaces, culverts, shoulders, drainage facilities, and roadside vegetation on roads within the public right-of-way of San Mateo County's unincorporated districts.

Public Works Technician I is the entry level class of this technical support series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn technical support and County procedures. As experience is gained, there is greater independence of action within established guidelines. This class is flexibly staffed with Public Works Technician II and incumbents are expected to advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualification of the higher-level class.

Public Works Technician II is the journey level class of this series, fully competent to independently perform a variety of responsible technical support duties. This class is distinguished from the Senior Engineering Aide class which is specialized in scope and technical functions.

The ideal candidate for this position has the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Familiarity and experience with permitting, plan review, or other technical clerical work
• Communicate effectively and work professionally with the public and co-workers. 
• Has field experience related to utility construction projects.
• Has experience in construction or inspection of construction projects
• Read and interpret engineering and architectural plans and regional maps. Understanding of construction terminology and standards.
• Organize workload and work independently in the field and office.
• Create documents, reports and maps with Microsoft suite applications, AutoCAD and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Provide technical support to a public works field such as engineering, traffic, mapping, surveying, drafting, construction, or related technical support field.
• Understand California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and Caltrans standards and regulations.
• Create documents, reports, and maps with Microsoft suite applications, AutoCAD, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Sit, stand, and lift signs as needed for QA/QC.
• Assist Traffic Engineer with development of traffic control plans, striping plans, etc. as directed.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide information to the public and other governmental agencies, in person or over the telephone, regarding County procedures and regulations, facility locations, plan requirements and property ownership, which may require the interpretation of policies and procedures.
• Ensure permit applications are complete, accurate, and comply with County regulations and public works standards
• Obtain and distribute copies of maps, land descriptions and similar information.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Develop and update permanent files for County retention.
• Use and perform minor maintenance and cleaning on standard office equipment, including a computer, in the course of work.
• Use specialized equipment to develop and produce copies of maps, drawings and blueprints.
• Assist in preparing channelization, traffic control and related plans and drawings.
• Investigate public complaints regarding traffic conditions.
• Maintain and analyze records regarding accidents and traffic incidents.
• Collect and maintain records or traffic counts and similar data by placing traffic counters in the field and collecting and recording information.
• Conduct radar speed surveys.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

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:
 

• I level: High school diploma with mathematics courses.
• II level: Two years' experience in providing technical support to a related public works field such as engineering, drafting, construction, surveying or related technical support field.

Open & 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, or extra-help/limited term position 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 based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions (weight: pass/fail). Candidates who pass the application screening may be invited to a panel interview (weight:100%). 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. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, 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 questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule
Application Deadline: Tuesday, October, 14, 2025
Application Screening: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Civil Service Panel Interviews: Week of October 27, 2025