City of Carlsbad
Utility Worker I/II
The Position
Carlsbad – The Community: The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County where a great climate, beautiful beaches and lagoons, and abundant natural open space combine with world-class resorts, family attractions, well planned neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a charming village atmosphere to create the ideal California experience. Covering nearly 40 square miles, the City of Carlsbad is currently home to about 115,000 residents. Thanks to an award-winning growth management plan, the city’s infrastructure and services keep pace with development and promote an excellent quality of life.
DEI Statement: The City of Carlsbad embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and recognizes the vital relationship of a culturally diverse, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. A diverse, equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.
Utility Worker I is the entry level class in this series, initially under close supervision; incumbents learn and perform a variety of duties in the maintenance, operations and repair of water distribution systems, and the maintenance of landscape and facilities. Incumbents at the Utility Worker I level may reasonably expect to advance to the Utility Worker II level through the promotional process by demonstrating the proficiency and meeting the qualifications of the higher-level class.
Utility Worker II is the journey level class in this series. A Utility Worker II position differs from a Utility Worker I in any or all of the following aspects: the tasks require the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities pertaining to the safe operation and procedures of water distribution systems and heavy equipment. This class typically takes daily direction from a Utility Worker III and participates in all aspects of maintenance and construction work within the Utilities Department. At times, incumbents function independently or lead small teams thus requiring them to exercise individual initiative in safety precautions and independent decision-making.
Salary Range:
Utility Worker I $31.29 – $38.06 per hour
Utility Worker II $35.23 – $42.87 per hour
Application Process (schedules are subject to change):
The Utility Worker I/II announcement will remain open until 100 applications are received or until December 20, 2024, whichever occurs first.
Testing is tentatively scheduled to take place the week of January 6, 2025, and will be held in person at our administrative office located at 1635 Faraday Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008.
Interviews tentatively scheduled to take place the week of January 13, 2025
**Please note: Utility Worker I or II will be decided based on qualifications and experience**
Key Responsibilities
Utility Worker I
Install, maintain and repair water distribution and, transmission pipelines, taps, valves, meter services, fire hydrants, manholes and related appurtenances and structures.
Excavate and shore trenches; backfill; cut; patch, repair and resurface streets; clean work sites; adjust valve cans to grade; remove and install concrete and asphalt on streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks and other public facilities as required.
Perform landscaping and grounds maintenance work; clear brush; trim, remove or plant trees and shrubs, perform weed abatement and irrigation repair.
Perform construction and maintenance work on buildings and facilities as assigned.
Observe safe work methods and safety practices related to the work; cone and flag work sites to secure from traffic; use appropriate safety equipment.
Inspect vehicles and perform minor maintenance; fuel and lubricate vehicles and related equipment; report the need for major repairs and service.
Operate assigned vehicles skillfully and safely; observe safe driving practices.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Utility Worker II
In addition to the duties of a Utility Worker I:
Read and interpret maps, plans, blueprints and specifications.
Locate underground water, recycled water, sewer and related infrastructure in the street and other locations prior to excavating to prevent damage to underground facilities.
Maintain water quality during the repair of water distribution pipelines and appurtenances.
Properly utilize mandated disinfection and flushing techniques on newly installed or repaired distribution pipelines and appurtenances.
Train and instruct personnel in the safe operation of light, medium and heavy-duty construction equipment.
Complete basic records related to work performed.
May operate heavy construction equipment such as backhoes, loaders, tractors, bulldozers, dump trucks, equipment trailers, etc.
May act in a lead capacity on specific jobs; direct and assign work to small teams, including training and evaluating work procedures; monitor work in progress at job sites.
May perform underground service alert mark-out duties.
May serve as competent person during excavations, traffic control, etc.
Respond to emergency calls, including working varying hours, weekends, holidays and unscheduled days as required.
Perform stand-by duty as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Qualifications are specific to positions: Utility Worker I & II
Knowledge of:
Utility Worker I
- Basic concepts and practices in the operation and maintenance of water distribution systems.
- Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the construction, maintenance and repair of water distribution facilities.
- Operation and maintenance of a wide variety of hand and power tools, and equipment common to the field.
Ability to:
Utility Worker I
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; understand and apply work instructions.
- Perform skilled construction and maintenance work on water distribution systems and related facilities.
- Operate and maintain a variety of hand tools, power tools and equipment used in the work.
- Operate and maintain assigned vehicles in a safe and skillful manner.
- Observe safe work methods and safety practices, including properly placing cones, barricades and warning devices and directing traffic flow at job sites.
- Perform heavy physical labor.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.
Special Requirements:
Utility Worker I
Within the first year of employment must obtain a valid California Class A Driver’s License with tanker endorsement.
Must obtain a State Water Resources Control Board – Grade I, Certificate within the first year.
Utility Worker II
Must possess a valid California Class A Driver’s License; and
Must possess a State Water Resource Control Board Grade II
Experience & Education
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way of gaining the knowledge and abilities outlined above is:
Equivalent to graduation from high school.
Utility Worker I
Six months of work experience as a laborer in construction or maintenance work, plumbing, pipefitting or equipment operation.
Within the first year of employment must obtain the following:
- California Class A Driver’s License
- State Water Resources Control Board, Distribution grade I
Utility Worker II
In addition to the above, two years of experience in the construction and maintenance of water distribution systems at a level equivalent to the Utility Worker I class with demonstrated proficiency at the journey level through certification and training.
Must be available to work overtime and respond to emergency calls, and work varying hours; including weekends, holidays, scheduled/unscheduled days to perform “stand-by” as needed.
Physical/Mental Requirements:
Must possess sufficient strength and stamina to lift, carry, and manipulate objects weighing a minimum of 50 pounds above the waist and to perform sustained heavy physical labor. Must be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions, to work underground in confined spaces and with exposure to potentially hazardous conditions.
Special Requirements:
These positions may be required to use respirators which prohibits full beards and facial hair that may interfere with a proper respirator fit. Must be available to work overtime and respond to emergency calls; work varying hours, including weekends, holidays and unscheduled days as required. Perform “stand-by” duty as assigned.