- Salary
- $72k – $102k/yr
- Location
- Santa Cruz, CA, CA
- Department
- Operations
- Experience
- 15+ years
- Closing date
- Today
- Source
- GovernmentJobs
Description
Do you enjoy hands-on outdoor work operating heavy equipment and maintaining vital drainage and flood control facilities?
Do you bring practical construction skills, a strong commitment to safe work practices, and the ability to work with a small, dedicated crew?
Would you like your work to directly support flood preparedness and the protection of Pajaro Valley communities?
If this is you, PRFMA invites you to apply for Maintenance Worker II/III!
Regional Government Services (RGS) and its staff are conducting the recruitment on behalf of the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency.
THE POSITION
All Maintenance Workers are involved in tasks related to the maintenance and construction of drainage facilities, levees, and related infrastructure for PRFMA facilities and infrastructure.
Maintenance Worker II
The Maintenance Worker II is the journey level classification operating light equipment and performing a variety of semiskilled and skilled tasks such as:
- Shovel dirt, gravel, and asphalt
- Cut brush
- Dig ditches
- Rake and spread gravel or paving material
- Load and unload trucks
- Flag traffic, which involves managing the crews and public’s safety
- Clear drainage ditches, roadways, and culverts of debris
- Use a variety of hand tools
- Respond to emergency callouts during storms, high-flow events, or equipment failures
- Operate heavy equipment on a relief basis or in a training capacity
Maintenance Worker III
The Maintenance Worker III performs specialized construction and maintenance of drainage and flood control areas; operate complex heavy equipment; and removal of trees. Assignments may include:
- Drainage work, or tree trimming and removal
- Operating heavy equipment such as graders, excavators, loaders, bulldozers, and cranes in maintenance and construction work
- Clean and cut ditches, clear creeks and channels, excavate earth, and perform drainage and flood control repairs
- Assist with pump station maintenance under senior personnel or contractors
- Perform tree trimming and removal and train others in safe practices
- Prepare work reports and use portable electronic mapping or maintenance reporting tools
- Respond to emergency callouts during storms, high-flow events, or equipment failures
- May act as lead when needed or lead a crew of inmate laborers
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THE SKILL SET TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
- Perform tasks requiring strength, such as shoveling, lifting equipment and materials into trucks, climbing over rough terrain, and using chain saws and pole saws.
- Operate heavy equipment, such as cranes, graders, back hoes, grade-alls, bulldozers and loaders, which require complex maneuvering and adjustment of controls.
- Excavate earth.
- Cut road surfaces to precise grade.
- Spread base material to correct grade.
- Dig out trees and stumps.
- Clean and cut ditches.
- Clear creeks and channels.
- Clear slides from roadways.
- Perform a variety of drainage and flood control construction and maintenance activities.
- May operate an equipment transport to move heavy equipment or other large objects.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Adaptability and Flexibility - Can shift gears comfortably
- Attention to Detail - Accomplishes tasks with thoroughness and accuracy
- Communication - Effectively conveys and exchanges thoughts, opinions, and information verbally and in writing.
- Quality Improvement - Understands the value of innovation and of quality improvement
- Problem Solving - Sees and is able to define problems and implement solutions
- Reliability and Commitment - Shows commitment, dedication, and accountability in one's work, and follows through on all projects, goals, and aspects of one's work
- Safety - Works to comply with safety regulations and helps to promote safety consciousness and well-being
- Teamwork and Collaboration - Works collaboratively with others in order to achieve a goal
ABOUT THE AGENCY
Formed in 2021 as a Joint Powers Authority, the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency (PRFMA) was created to plan, finance, implement, operate, and maintain projects and programs to reduce flood risk in the Pajaro River watershed in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Originating member agencies include the Counties of Monterey and Santa Cruz, the City of Watsonville, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, and the Santa Cruz County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, each providing a voting member to its Board of Directors.
The PRFMA is responsible for a comprehensive levee and river channel maintenance program, as well as advancing the $600 million Pajaro River at Watsonville Project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Additionally, the PRFMA will be pursuing other external financing authorities to implement large scale, multi-benefit flood risk reduction solutions from Highway 1 to the ocean (the “Pajaro Bridge to Bay Project”) as well as other floodplain restoration efforts. PRFMA staff also serve as subject matter experts in flood monitoring and response in both the operations and advanced planning sections of emergency operations centers. PRFMA provides leadership and coordination with other local, regional, state, tribal, and federal entities to achieve its mission of flood risk reduction in the lower Pajaro Valley.
Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:
Maintenance Worker II: One year of experience operating light equipment and performing a variety of semiskilled work in support of construction sites.
Maintenance Worker III: Two years of experience performing duties in the area of drainage control, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Maintenance Worker II/III License: Possession of a valid California class B driver license; and within six months from hire, possession of a valid class A driver license, including Tank Endorsement.
Certificates: Possession of a Qualified Applicators Certificate issued by the State of California Department of Pesticide Regulation is required for some positions.
Working Conditions
Field duties may involve adverse weather, noise, dust, uneven terrain, heavy equipment, physical exertion, and other occupational hazards. The classification includes the ability to lift up to 75 pounds and use required protective equipment. Including exposure to: variable temperatures and weather conditions; cramped work spaces; heights, such as on equipment and ladders; high levels of noise, strong, unpleasant odors; vibration; dust; potentially hostile or violent individuals; electric hazards; allergens, such as poison oak and stinging insects; the possibility of experiencing burns, bodily injury, exposure to non-ionizing radiation, and contact with toxic substances or chemical irritants; working alone in isolated areas; working around prisoners; and, possible exposure to needles or blood which could possibly result in chronic disease or death. Refer to the official classification specification for complete conditions and physical requirements.
Other Special Requirements
Alcohol and drug tests: will be administered to all candidates prior to final selection for positions that require Class A or B driver licenses upon entry and to employees in positions requiring these licenses, as mandated by Department of Transportation federal regulations. In addition, all candidates must provide specific employment history for up to the past ten years for all jobs they have held which required operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
Availability: Must be available for irregular hours including evenings, weekends, holidays, and for 24-hour emergency calls.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The starting salary will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and skills of the successful candidate and with a salary range of:
Maintenance Worker II - $5,970 - $7,544 Monthly
Maintenance Worker III - $6,759–$8,541 Monthly
BENEFITS
- CalPERS Retirement Plan (Classic and PEPRA)
- 401(a) plan for compensation earned above the PEPRA limit and 457(b) plan coverage.
- Medical, Dental and Vision Care Insurance with generous Agency premium coverage:
- HMO or PPO options available
- 90% premium coverage for highest cost plan offered by SDRMA
- Vision Plan (highest option, VSP Option 5) 100% paid for employee and family
- Dental Plan (highest option, Delta Dental PPO High) 100% paid for employee and family
- Annual Leave – (vacation and sick leave combines) - 22 days per year for up to 5 years of service, increasing to 37 days per year for over 15 years of service.
- Holidays – 14 paid holidays.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Deadline to apply: Wednesday, November 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.
To be considered for this exciting opportunity apply at: https://bit.ly/PRFMA-MW
Applications must be submitted on-line through the applicant tracking system. Materials must be complete and clearly indicate the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. Incomplete, late, emailed, and faxed applications are not accepted.
Applicants may submit a current resume detailing their recent (within the past 10 years) experience along with their application and supplemental questionnaire online. Resumes are not considered in lieu of the required complete employment application.
Minimum Qualification Assessment – (Pass/Fail) All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and assessed for each applicant’s ability to meet the minimum work experience, training, and education requirements.
Remote Screen Interview - (100%) Candidates who pass the application assessment may be invited to a Remote Screen Interview Examination (tentatively scheduled for the week of November 9th) to evaluate training, experience, and other job-related qualifications for the position.
Hiring Interview - The most qualified candidates from the remote interview process will be submitted to the PRFMA for consideration for final selection by the Agency. Tentatively scheduled for the week of November 17th.
All communication and notices will be sent via e-mail. Additional inquiries about the position may be directed to [email protected].
Neither Regional Government Services nor the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency are responsible for failure of internet forms or email in submitting your application. Candidates who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or selection process should advise Regional Government Services by e-mailing [email protected].
The Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer.