About the Department

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is a national leader in pollution prevention, watershed protection, utility service provision, and climate action. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San Jose.  

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! We offer an array of meaningful career paths and value flexibility – offering possible hybrid work and alternative work schedules in select roles. Additionally, the City benefits, as well as 15 paid holidays! 

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and San Jose Environmental Services on LinkedIn.

Position Duties

The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill multiple full-time Wastewater Mechanic I/II positions (also known as Industrial Maintenance Technician) in the Wastewater facility Maintenance Division.  These positions will work at the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility located at 700 Los Esteros Road, San Jose, CA, 95134.  
 
These positions are responsible for performing the full range of technical and mechanical tasks associated with the preventive and corrective maintenance of wastewater facility machinery and equipment. These positions may also assist Senior Wastewater Mechanics in more complex duties.  

  Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Troubleshoot and repair wastewater buildings and equipment such as pumps, valves, gearboxes, compressors, blowers, grit removal equipment, conveyors, mixers, clarifiers, chemical feed systems, and other equipment. 
• Fabricate and modify parts for system operations associated with shop equipment drill presses, ironwork, band saws, pedestal grinders, and hydraulic shear. Knowledge of welding is desirable. 
• Operate bridge cranes, chain falls, lever hoists, and all associated rigging. 
• Perform equipment inspections at scheduled intervals to detect the possibility of malfunctions. 
• Determine spare parts inventory levels and initiate parts replacements and stock replacement parts. 
• Use computer-based work order and inventory management software to create, complete, and track maintenance work and parts used. 
• Maintain maintenance and repair records on equipment, systems, and components; assist in maintaining and updating the maintenance manuals. 
• Communicate with the supervisor about work progress, potential work issues, and suggestions for improvement. 
• Use service manuals, parts manuals, and interpreting drawings. 
• Work with other trades and work groups on site. 
• Attend training to stay up to date on equipment and current trends. 
• Attend all safety training. 

The ideal candidate will have strong mechanical, problem-solving, teamwork, and customer service experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The ideal candidate will be able to conduct basic computer skills and be familiar with modern control systems (i.e., Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Human Machine Interface (HMI), and Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
 
The Regional Wastewater Facility is a 24/7 operation serving the South Bay. Typical schedules for Maintenance Division Wastewater Mechanics are 4/10’s (four-hour work days, 10-hour days). Wastewater Mechanics may be called to work overtime, nights, weekends, holidays, or alternative shifts. Work schedules are determined by operational business needs.  

Review the job classification specification for more information on the job duties. 

Salary ranges:
 
Wastewater Mechanic I: $40.26-$48.93 hourly; $83,740.80-$101,774.40 annually 
Wastewater Mechanic II: $44.56-$54.33 hourly; $92,684.80-$113,006.40 annually
 
Additional information about Wastewater Mechanic I/II salary increases:

• The salary ranges will receive an approximate 4% increase effective the first full pay period of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (effective around July 1, 2025).
• The salary ranges will receive an approximate 1% increase effective the first full pay period of January 2026.
• The salary ranges will receive an approximate 3.5% increase effective the first full pay period of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (effective around July 1, 2026).

The Wastewater Mechanic I/II classification is covered by the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local No. 3 (OE#3). To learn more about the OE#3 union handbook and pay increases, click here. 

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education for Wastewater Mechanic I/II: Successful completion of high school, General Educational Development (G.E.D.) Certificate, or California Proficiency Certificate.
 
Wastewater Mechanic I Required Experience:
 
Two (2) years of journey-level experience as a mechanic in hydraulics, wastewater treatment or a closely related industry or in operation, maintenance, repair, and overhaul of mechanical and electrical equipment related to large stationary diesel and spark-ignited engines, and/or power generator; OR four (4) years’ of experience assisting Wastewater Mechanics in the maintenance and repair of wastewater equipment at a level equivalent to Wastewater Attendant or Assistant Heavy Diesel Equipment Operator/Mechanic with the City of San José.
 
Acceptable Substitutions: Completion of the Attendant Skills Knowledge and Evaluation (SKE) program and completion of the certification as Plant Mechanical Technologist Grade I from California Water Environment Association (CWEA) may be substituted as one (1) year experience assisting Wastewater Mechanics in the maintenance and repair of wastewater equipment at a level equivalent to Wastewater Attendant or Assistant Heavy Diesel Equipment Operator/Mechanic with the City of San José.
 
Wastewater Mechanic II Required Experience:
 
Two (2) years of journey level experience as a mechanic in hydraulics, wastewater treatment or a closely related industry or in operation, maintenance, repair, and overhaul of mechanical and electrical equipment related to large stationary diesel and spark-ignited engines and/or power generators OR four (4) years’ experience assisting Wastewater Mechanics in the maintenance and repair of wastewater equipment at a level equivalent to Wastewater Attendant with the City of San José; OR completion of the Attendant Skills Knowledge and Evaluation (SKE) program and certification as Plant Mechanical Technologist Grade I from California Water Environment Association (CWEA) with three (3) years’ experience assisting Wastewater Mechanics in the maintenance and repair of wastewater equipment at a level equivalent to Wastewater Attendant with the City of San José, AND certification as Plant Mechanical Technologist Grade II from California Water Environment Association (CWEA).
 
Acceptable Substitution: Two (2) years of experience as a Wastewater Mechanic I may be substituted for the certification as Plant Mechanical Technologist Grade II.
 
Required Licensing for Wastewater Mechanic I/II: Possession of a valid State of California Class C driver's license. As a condition of employment in some designated positions, possession of a valid State of California Class A or B driver's license with applicable endorsements may be required in the performance of job duties. 
 
Physical Requirement for Wastewater Mechanic I/II:
Possess ability to:

• Exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects (e.g., large hand tools, pipes, or other wastewater equipment).
• Move between/within work areas, including but not limited to sitting, walking, and standing on various surfaces, turning, bending, grasping, and making repetitive hand movements.
• Identify problems or hazards, work in confined spaces and around machines, and climb/descend ladders.
• Be exposed to unpredictable working conditions including but not limited to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances, fumes, dust, and air contaminants.

Physical Requirement: This classification requires a pre-employment respiratory physical exam.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.
 
Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies, and federal and state rules and regulations.  

Additional competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities that are desirable qualifications:

• Maintenance procedures associated with large bore, medium speed engines, valves, gearboxes, pumps, and air compressors.
• Mechanical principles, pneumatics, hydraulics, and other equipment found in wastewater facilities or similar heavy industrial facilities.
• Diesel fuels and lubricants used in heavy-duty power plant operation.
• Completion of technical trade school in the mechanical field.
• Possession of specialized certifications such as backflow preventer installation and Maintenance, welding, confined space entry, power plant, hazardous material handling, etc.
• Knowledge of modern control systems.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which may include a practical.
 
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Lupe Rodarte at lupe.rodarte@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility:  Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent, or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third-party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application.  If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided.  IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.