Description

This is an open recruitment to fill (1) current vacancy and to establish an eligibility list used to fill possible future full-time vacancies. Applications will be accepted on a CONTINUOUS BASES. Apply early as this recruitment may close at any time without notice. First review August 24, 2026.

The incumbent will enjoy working a 4/10 work schedule (Monday through Thursday) not including overtime or on-call shifts. A 4% COLA increase has been scheduled for July 1, 2027.

The incumbent will enjoy a family environment and be a part of an enthusiastic work force that has its own spirit committee that facilitates monthly employee events.

The incumbent will thrive working in this small culture environment allowing them to grow their knowledge, experience, resume, and prepare them for advancement by introducing them to a variety of water related projects and responsibilities.

Come be a part of our family and see what makes La Palma a nice place to live and work!

Click here: Join our team!

Water Service Worker I: $4,591.98 - $6,153.69 monthly

Water Service Worker II: $4,978.25 - $6,671.34 monthly

The successful applicant will be hired at the I or II classification level, based on their education and experience, and the needs of the organization.

Performs a variety of assignments in meter service maintenance, meter reading, and customer service; performs skilled maintenance and repair of water lines; operates and performs preventive maintenance on City pumps, wells, and related equipment; maintains City reservoirs, well sites, and water production records; performs related duties as required.

Water Service Worker I: Is the entry level class of the Water Service Worker series. Incumbents receive on the job training in Water Service maintenance while working to earn appropriate certification for the Water Service Worker II classification.

Water Service Worker II: Is the journey level position in the Water Service Worker series. It is distinguished from Water Service Worker I by the added responsibility for the operation, repair, and maintenance of: SCADA system and equipment; pumps and pump motors; valves; wells; reservoirs; chlorine/chemical feed equipment; assisting in the training of less experienced Water Service Workers; and standby duty availability.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: An original City of La Palma application must be submitted online at www.cityoflapalma.org.The City must receive completed applications, resumes, and supplemental questionnaires by the final filing date and time listed to be eligible for consideration. Facsimiles will not be accepted. Resumes will not, nor will references to a resume, be accepted in lieu of a completed City application. Please note, that the City now notifies all applicants by e-mail. Applicants that indicate a paper notification preference, will still receive paper notices; however, the information contained in those notices will likely be delayed. During the recruitment process, we encourage applicants to check their e-mail account frequently.

SELECTION PROCESS: All applications will be screened and those candidates who present the most relevant qualifications and possess the required licenses and certificates for the position will be invited to continue in the selection process. The selection process may include testing and oral interviews.

A Background Investigation, including a criminal record check may be required prior to any offer of employment. All appointments are subject to the successful completion of a post-offer medical exam (including a drug and alcohol screen).

The Immigration Reform & Control Act requires that all employers examine specified documents and verify that all employees hired after November 6, 1988 are either United States citizens or aliens legally permitted to work in the United States. Any offer of employment extended to an applicant is contingent upon the applicant providing the appropriate documents prior to commencement of employment.

Should a qualified individual with disabilities need reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the examination process, the City of La Palma must be notified no later than five working days prior to the scheduled examination date.

The City of La Palma does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender age, ancestry, national origin, marital status, or disability. Equal employment opportunity will apply to all personnel actions, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, training, transfers, promotions, evaluation, compensation, discipline, layoffs, terminations, and rehires.

NOTE: All employees of the City of La Palma are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health, and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours, and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change.

Scope of Work and Examples of Duties

Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

WATER SERVICE WORKER I: Assists in repairing and maintaining automatic control systems, automatic pumps, control valves, check valves, globe valves, gate valves, oil and air filters, fuses, circuit breakers, probes, circuits, relays, time delays, coils, switches, bearings, packing, mechanical seals, oil lines, drippers, and gauges.

Performs a variety of supervised and unsupervised preventive maintenance on wells, meters, pumps and pump motor equipment; checks pumping operations and makes adjustments as necessary; performs maintenance and repair work on pump facilities.

Performs meter reading; contacts customers regarding high bills; reads and field tests meters; investigates customer complaints regarding water pressure and water quality; performs leak tests to ascertain apparent leakage in customer lines; informs customer of test results.

Assists in repairing water mains and service lines, including gate valves, meter connections, angle stops, pipes, and corporation stops; repairs meters in the field by changing registers, replacing couplings, flanges, and gaskets; replaces meter boxes and lids; cleans dirt and weeds from meter boxes and trims bushes and trees obstructing meter boxes, fire hydrants, and isolation valves; assists in digging and back-filling ditches for service line repairs, water leaks or tapping into main lines.

Installs, relocates, reads, and disconnects construction water meters; performs move in/move out service connects/disconnects; and performs non-payment disconnections and restoration services.

Completes necessary forms and reports; keeps track of materials, supplies, and time spent on projects.

Assists with emergency calls from the public and other agencies, taking appropriate action such as placing barricades, repairing leaks, shutting off main lines, and correcting problems with pumps and reservoirs.

Ability to respond to periodic call-outs during off time hours to assist in emergency repairs; must be available to respond within 30 minutes.

Performs other duties as assigned.

WATER SERVICE WORKER II: Inspects and performs preventive maintenance on wells by monitoring, testing and disinfecting water; monitors water production and water levels; treats water with phosphate and other chemicals; monitors bacteria levels; and flushes water system.

Performs meter reading; corrects problems in the field such as meters out of sequence and unlisted meters; performs move in / move out service connects / disconnects; and performs non-payment disconnections and restoration of service. Contacts customers regarding high bills; reads and field test meters; investigates customer complaints regarding water pressure and water quality; performs leak tests to ascertain apparent leakage in customer lines; informs customer of test results.

Repairs water mains and service lines, including gate valves, meter connections, angle stops, pipes, and corporation stops; repairs back flow devices; repairs meters in the field by changing registers, replacing couplings, flanges, and gaskets; replaces meter boxes and lids; cleans dirt and weeds from meter boxes and trims bushes and trees obstructing meter boxes, fire hydrants, and isolation valves; assists in digging and back-filling ditches for service line repairs, water leaks, or tapping into main lines.

Assists in the repair and maintenance of pumps and pump motor equipment; checks water production and treatment operations and makes adjustments as necessary; performs maintenance and repair work at pump facilities. Completes necessary forms and reports; maintains necessary supplies, tools, and equipment.

Answers and responds to emergency calls from the public and other agencies taking appropriate action, such as placing barricades, repairing leaks, shutting off main lines, and correcting problems with pumps and reservoirs.

Must be available for standby duty and is subject to periodic call-out during after hours to assist in emergency repairs; must be available to respond within 30 minutes.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: procedures, equipment, materials, and tools used in the operation of municipal wells, motors, pumps, compressors, electrical panels, automatic control valves, and other equipment; mathematical principles related to the computation of flows and volumes in water storage, production, and distribution systems; safe work practices.

Ability to: inspect, operate, diagnose problems, and perform preventive maintenance and repair work on electric motors, pump panels, engines, pumps, compressors, valves, and related equipment; read and interpret charts and gauges; maintain accurate records; understand and carry out oral and written directions; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Education and/or Experience

High School diploma or equivalent and any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. WATER SERVICE WORKER I: Two years of experience in the City of La Palma as a Maintenance Worker I or some relevant experience (one-year or more) in the operation, maintenance, and repair of motors, pumps, wells, and related equipment. WATER SERVICE WORKER II: Two years of experience in the City of La Palma as Water Service Worker I or two years of experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of motors, pumps, wells, and related equipment.

Required Licenses and Certificates

Possession of a satisfactory driving record and an appropriate California driver's license, with the ability to obtain a California Commercial Class B driver's license within one year. WATER SERVICE WORKER I: Possession or ability to obtain within one year of appointment both a valid Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D-1, and a valid Water Treatment Operator Certificate, Grade T-1, as issued by the State Water Resources Control Board. WATER SERVICE WORKER II: Possession of a valid Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate, Grade T-2 and possession of a valid Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade D-2 as issued by the State Water Resources Control Board.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Qualifications

The City offers a highly competitive compensation package which is dependent upon qualifications. The City's attractive benefits package includes the following:

Retirement – The City offers the CalPERS 2% at 62 formula for new CalPERS members.; OR 2% at 60 formula for existing CalPERS members with less than a six-month break in service from another CalPERS or CalPERS reciprocal agency. Employees are responsible for paying the full Employee contribution through payroll deduction. Additional details on the City's retirement plan will be provided to candidates during the job offer process. For further information about CalPERS, please contact CalPERS directly. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the mandatory Medicare Program.

Medical Insurance - The City contracts with CalPERS to offer medical insurance to employees and their eligible dependents. The City provides a monthly health benefit allowance to be used toward monthly health insurance premiums currently $667.49 Employee Only, $1,156.49 Employee + 1, $1,415.49 Employee + 2.

Wellness Program - All employees and their dependents are enrolled in a confidential Employee Assistance Program.

Dental Insurance - The City provides dental coverage for employees and their eligible dependents. The City pays 100% of the premium and has a reimbursement program (up to 30%) for crowns.

Vision Insurance - The City has a vision care reimbursement program (up to $400) per employee and their eligible dependents per fiscal year.

Life Insurance – The City contracts with The Standard Insurance Company to provide $100,000 in basic group term life insurance for employees with additional coverage for eligible dependents. Employees may purchase additional coverage by participating in AFLAC plans.

Disability Insurance – The City provides short and long term disability insurance coverage with the City paying 100% of the premium.

Flexible Spending Accounts – The City currently offers a flexible spending account plan through which employees may set aside pre-tax dollars for a wide variety of eligible non-reimbursable medical expenses for themselves or their eligible dependents and/or eligible dependent care expenses.

Additional Insurance Opportunities – The City contracts with AFLAC to provide additional health, dental, and life insurance coverage, as well as many other reimbursable plans. Employees may set up these accounts as pre-tax dollars.

Deferred Compensation Accounts – The City offers employees the option to defer pre-tax earnings through the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan; contributions are at the employee's discretion.

Retiree Health Benefits – The City contributes the minimum Public Employees Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA) contribution, currently $160 per month, toward retiree medical insurance for retirees who elect to continue their CalPERS medical coverage into retirement. The City does not offer retiree dental or vision coverage.

Holidays - Ten (10) paid fixed holidays and 40 hours of paid floating holiday time annually are provided. Employees are required to use either floating holiday time, vacation time, or compensatory time to facilitate a holiday closure between Christmas and New Years.

Vacation - Full-time employees entering service after July 1, 2011, earn 80 hours of annual vacation leave per year and can accrue a total balance of 120 hours, increasing incrementally after 5 years of service.

Sick Leave - 96 hours per year and can accrue a total balance of 760 hours.

Bilingual Pay – The City offers employees the opportunity to test once per year for bilingual accuracy. After successfully passing an interactive test, the employee will receive $150 per month. Testing is renewed biannually in order to continue receiving the stipend.

Work Hours - Full-time employees work a four day work week/10 hour work days; a 40 hour work week, Monday - Thursday.

01

Please tell us what level of certification you possess from the SWRCB as a distribution operator.

None
D-1
D-2
D-3
D-4
D-5

02

Please tell us what level of certification you possess from the SWRCB as a treatment operator.

None
T-1
T-2
T-3
T-4
T-5

03

Please Select Your Current Driver License Class

none
Class C (basic)
Class B (noncommercial)
Class B (commercial)
Class A (noncommercial)
Class A (commercial)

04

Select any of the following certifications that you currently possess (check all that apply).

First Aid
Confined Space
Trench Shoring
Forklift
Backhoe
HAZWOPER
NIMS/ICS
None of the above

05

Do you have any education in Water Utility Science? If yes, please describe:

06

Do you have any experience performing construction or maintenance work including equipment operations? If yes, please describe:

07

Briefly explain your work experience in the water utility field.

08

This position requires participation in rotational shifts including working weekends and holidays while on-call/standby duty. Do you have any restrictions on performing this type of work?

09

If yes, please describe the restrictions (if no, please enter "none"):

10

Please Note, All Information Provided In The Previous Supplemental Questions Should Be Accurate, Verifiable, And Consistent With The Detailed Work Experience Listed On Your Application. Applications That Are Incomplete Or Information That Cannot Be Verified Will Be Rejected. I Have Read And Acknowledge This Statement

Yes
No
Required Question

City of La Palma

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