Salary: See Position Description
Location : 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 02019-E
Division: Raw Water
Unit: Treatment Plant Maintenance
Opening Date: 09/17/2026
Closing Date: 9/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I: $102,024.00 - $130,540.80 AnnuallyPlant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician II: $112,569.60 - $144,019.20 Annually

Overview:

The Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I/II will perform maintenance and repair functions on industrial equipment used in water treatment, recycled water, water purification plants, pumping stations, and hydroelectric plants. This position will also work on related mechanical equipment components used for water treatment, storage, distribution, and flood control. They will be required to perform maintenance and repair duties on water conduits and equipment. As well as perform a variety of tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility. This position will be assigned to work at one of Valley Water's three water treatment plants in Santa Clara County and can be assigned to work rotating on-call weekends after approximately 1-2 years.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Perform preventive maintenance on treatment plant and pipeline facilities through methods such as fluid and filter changes; confer with operations staff to solve problems and determine needs; maintain water conduits and equipment including vacuum breakers, air releases, and water valves; perform confined space related duties.
• Read and interpret plans and specifications; estimate labor and materials for proposed work, perform work in accordance with these documents; make preliminary sketches of work to be performed or completed; locate, examine, clarify, identify, record and mark locations of creeks, pipelines, telemetry, test cables, and underground cables.
• Diagnose mechanical problems; recommend preventative and corrective repair; make estimates of labor, materials, and supplies required to complete assigned work; request required materials. Diagnose and repair meter pumps, calibrators, flocculation, and filtration methods through vibration analysis and temperature reading and other inspection techniques; confer with operations and engineering staff to solve problems and determine needs.
• Operate a variety of hand tools and power equipment including welding equipment, lathes, drill presses, sanders, trucks, forklifts, boom lift, scissor lifts, and overhead cranes.
• Maintain records of work performed; enter and retrieve data from a Computerized Maintenance system (CMMS); ensure proper completion of reports including confined entry documentation.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

Level I - One (1) years of experience with the maintenance of mechanical equipment and components.

Level II - One (1) year of post-apprenticeship experience in the maintenance of mechanical equipment and components. In lieu of completing an apprenticeship, a candidate should possess four (4) years of journey-level experience in the maintenance of mechanical equipment and components.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I:

• Learn the methods and techniques involved in the maintenance and repair of water treatment and distribution and systems including pumps, valves, gauges, and chemical feeds.
• Learn to operate a variety of mechanical maintenance equipment.
• Learn to read, interpret, and work from plans, drawings, and specifications.
• Learn to estimate small mechanical jobs.
• Learn occupational hazards and standard safety practices including Cal OSHA practices.
• Learn procedures to maintain records of work performed.
• Learn to diagnose operational problems in mechanical equipment and recommend corrective action.
• Learn to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician II:

In addition to the qualifications for a Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I:

• Operate a variety of mechanical maintenance equipment.
• Read, interpret, and work from plans, drawings, and specifications.
• Procedures to maintain records of work performed.
• Diagnose operational problems in mechanical equipment and recommend corrective action.
• Perform the most complex maintenance and repair functions on District water treatment and distribution systems.
• Perform mechanical maintenance on pipelines, equipment in pumping stations, hydroelectric plants, and water treatment plants.
• Estimate labor and materials required to correct mechanical problems.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Use common desktop applications and software.

Ideal Knowledge:

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I:

• Operations, services, and activities of a mechanical maintenance program.
• Operational characteristics of mechanical maintenance equipment and tools.
• Operational methods and techniques associated with water treatment process.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices including Cal OSHA practices.
• Mathematical principles.
• Common desktop applications and software.

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician II:

In addition to the qualifications for a Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I:

• Methods and techniques involved in the maintenance and repair of water treatment and distribution and systems including pumps, valves, gauges, and chemical feeds.
• Operations, services, and activities of a mechanical maintenance program.
• Operational characteristics of mechanical maintenance equipment and tools.
• Operational methods and techniques associated with water treatment process.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices including Cal OSHA practices.

Ideal Training and Education:

Must have equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician I:

Possession of a D-1 Water Distribution Operator certification issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Department of Drinking Water (DDW) within 18 months of appointment.

Plant/Pipeline Mechanical Technician II:

Possession of a D-2 Water Distribution Operator certification issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Department of Drinking Water (DDW) within 24 months of appointment.
To review the Classification Specification, please click

Treatment Plant Maintenance Unit (Position Code 795)Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position requires the individual to be onsite and is typically not a teleworking position.

Selection Process
(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.
Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, click
01

I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position.

• Yes
• No

02

Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. Responses that refer to attachments (e.g., "see resume") will not be considered. Each question must be answered in full to ensure a fair and complete evaluation. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

03

How many years of experience do you have in the maintenance of mechanical equipment components?

• 0 - 1 year
• 1 - 4 years
• 4+ years

04

Do you have a valid California Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess a Water Distribution Operator certification issued by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Department of Drinking Water (DDW)?

• Yes, I have a D-1 certificate.
• Yes, I have a D-2 certificate.
• No, but I understand that I will have to possess a certificate within 18 to 24 months from hire.
• No, and I am not interested in possessing the certificate.

06

Do you possess a High School diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

07

Have you completed an apprenticeship program? (Ideal but not required.)

• Yes, it was a state certified apprenticeship.
• Yes, it was an apprenticeship through Valley Water.
• Yes, it was an apprenticeship through my former company/agency.
• No.

08

Please list the types of hand tools and power equipment you have experience operating and what tasks or jobs you have completed with them.
09

Do you have experience reading and interpreting mechanical drawings, plans, and specifications? Please explain your experience.
10

Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs. If you live further than 150 miles from Valley Water Headquarters, please discuss your willingness to relocate if offered the position. If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".
11

Please list the full name of the regular/permanent Valley Water employee who referred you to this position (only one name will be accepted, so if multiple are listed, the first name provided will be documented as the referring employee). If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".
Required Question