Senior Wastewater Mechanic I-II (Industrial & Diesel) Regional Wastewater Facility

The City of San José's Environmental Services Department (ESD) is an award-winning department with a mission to deliver world-class utility services and programs to improve our health, environment and economy. The Department is a national leader in managing garbage and recycling services; watershed protection and pollution prevention; municipal drinking water and recycled water; sustainability initiatives; and the operation and infrastructure improvements of the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San José. 

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! 

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

Salary Information

Wastewater Senior Mechanic I annual salary range is $98,779.20 – $120,140.80

Wastewater Senior Mechanic II annual salary range is $109,449.60 – $133,369.60

The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidate’s qualifications and experience.

The Senior 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.

About the Division:

Energy and Automation Division

The Energy and Automation Division is responsible for energy production and distribution, and process automation and control. This division is responsible for overseeing the plant’s energy usage and minimizing energy costs by optimizing the use of in-house digester gas and purchasing natural gas and electricity. Staff located at the plant provide preventive and corrective maintenance, emergency repair to support 24/7 operation of the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility, and participate in the design and implementation of capital improvement projects.

The Environmental Services Department is currently seeking to fill a full-time Senior Industrial Engine and Equipment Technician positions (Senior Wastewater Mechanic I/II) in the Power and Air Team at the San Jose-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility located at 700 Los Esteros Road, San Jose, CA, 95134. 

 This position works a standard Monday through Friday shift schedule which is 5 days a week, 8 hours a day OR a 4/10 schedule option is 4 days a week, 10 hours a day. Work schedules are based on operational business needs.

Under the direction of the Wastewater Maintenance Superintendent and the Wastewater Mechanical Supervisor, the Wastewater Senior Mechanic performs skilled journey-level work. These positions are responsible for operating, maintaining, and overhauling the Regional Wastewater Facility’s industrial mechanical and electrical equipment related to large stationary diesel/spark-ignited engines, power generators, gas compressors, and gas storage, such as those commonly found in municipal power plants, natural gas pipeline compressor stations, and large marine propulsion systems.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead and perform preventive maintenance work in diagnosis of malfunctions, tune up, repair, overhaul, etc. of industrial mechanical and electrical equipment; operate and lead others in the operation of cranes winches, hoist, dollies, rollers, forklifts to remove, install, relocate heavy, unwieldy, or other critical equipment; operate three phase alternating current 5KV generator switchgear; welding, cutting, and fabrication.
• Train, lead, provide directions for lower-level employees including assigning, scheduling, and monitoring work; determine priorities; approve timecards; manage and train Wastewater Mechanics and Attendants and ensure apprenticeship training requirements are met; maintain records and reports.
• Provide input to the Supervisor regarding the employees’ performance evaluation, hiring, promotion, termination & disciplinary process.
• Stay up to date with safety procedures & requirements; ensure a safe work environment and safe operation of equipment.
• Perform various duties related to the requisition of parts, supplies, and equipment. 
• Use precision measuring tools.
• Operate precision machining equipment.
• Repair, install, and inspect piping systems. 
• Use service manuals, parts manuals, and interpret drawings.
• Supporting around-the-clock operation; handle unusual and emergency situations. Opportunities for overtime are available.

The ideal candidate will have strong mechanical, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, and customer service experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The ideal candidate will be efficient with basic computer skills (i.e., Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel) and be familiar with modern control systems (i.e., Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Human Machine Interface (HMI), and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).

Watch our ESD Rockstar videos to learn more about what we do as Regional Wastewater Facility mechanics:
ESD Rockstar Adan M.

ESD Rockstar Russ B.

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

Education: Successful completion of high school, General Educational Development (G.E.D.) Certificate, or California Proficiency Certificate.

Wastewater Senior Mechanic I

Experience: Three (3) years journey level experience as a mechanic in hydraulics, wastewater treatment or 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, including one (1) year at a level equivalent to Wastewater Mechanic I/II with the San José/Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF).

Wastewater Senior Mechanic II

Experience: Three (3) years journey level experience as a mechanic in hydraulics, wastewater treatment or 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, including one (1) year at a level equivalent to Wastewater Mechanic I/II with the San José/Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF) AND possession of certification as a Plant Mechanical Technologist Grade III from California Water Environment Association (CWEA).

Acceptable Substitution: An additional three (3) years of journey-level experience as Wastewater Mechanic I/II OR an additional two (2) years of experience AND possession of Plant Mechanical Technologist Grade II for one year may be substituted for the certification as Plant Mechanical Technologist Grade III.

Required Licensing for Senior Wastewater Mechanic I/II: Possession of a valid State of California Class C driver's license.

• If selected, the Conditional Offer of Employment may be contingent upon you providing proof of a valid State of California driver’s license, and an assessment of your California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) as per the DMV Release of Driver Record Information form. Failure to pass the DMV Pull Notice assessment will deem you ineligible for employment.

Physical Requirement for Senior Wastewater Mechanic I/II:

Possess the 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.

Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

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, air compressors, gas compressors, flares, blowers and diesel generators.
• 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 and Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) or similar workorder systems.

Analytical Thinking: Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Supervision: Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness. 

Leadership: Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational support and direction.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Flexibility: Makes effective decisions and achieves desired results in the midst of major changes in responsibilities, work processes, timeframes, performance expectations, organizational culture, or work environment.

Initiative: Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Reliability: Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.

Computer Skills: Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

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. 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 written exam and/or practical exercise. 

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy, or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. 

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Lisa Harding, Employment Analyst at [email protected].