Salary : $75,937.80 - $115,136.52 Annually
Location : City of Escondido, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 03834
Department: Utilities
Division: Wastewater Treatment Reclamation
Opening Date: 10/26/2026
Closing Date: 11/16/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Summary
Plant Systems Technician I: $6,328 - $8,480 per month
Plant Systems Technician II: $7,159 - $9,594 per month
Under general supervision (Plant Systems Technician I) or direction (Plant Systems Technician II), performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled duties involved in the maintenance and repair of the City's water and/or wastewater treatment plants and allied facilities; performs highly skilled tasks involved in the repair or fabrication of equipment parts at a water and/or wastewater treatment plants and allied facilities; and participates in the mechanical repair of equipment used in the water and wastewater systems.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Plant Systems Technician I: This is the entry-level class in the Plant Systems Technician series. This class is distinguished from the Plant Systems Technician II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. Assignments are generally limited in scope, contain fairly routine tasks, and are performed within a procedural framework established by higher-level employees. As experience is acquired, incumbents perform with less immediate supervision and continue to learn the full scope of duties and responsibilities. Advancement to the "II" level is based on demonstrated proficiency in performing the assigned functions, possession of required licenses and certifications, completing the progression criteria established by the Department, and upon review and approval of the department head.
Plant Systems Technician II: This is the full journey-level class in the Plant Systems Technician series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Plant Systems Technician I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including serving as lead worker on small crews as assigned. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by progression from the Plant Systems Technician I level when experience and required licenses and certifications are obtained and progression criteria met, or when filled from the outside, require prior directly related experience and possession of required licenses and certifications.
Key Responsibilities
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Performs preventative and corrective maintenance on equipment at the water and wastewater treatment plants, pump/lift stations, and other allied facilities; troubleshoots, maintains, repairs, rebuilds, and replaces valves, pumps, compressors, blowers, centrifuges, grinders, mixers, geardrives, generators, piping, mechanical aspects of electric motors and mechanically maintains all manner of equipment throughout the plants, collection, and distribution systems.
Repairs, rebuilds, measures, and/or fabricates parts and/or equipment; designs and welds equipment; repairs parts using welding techniques including utilizing gas and/or arc welding equipment to heat, cut, braze, or weld.
Evaluates precision parts to verify OEM tolerances to provide information to machine shops to perform repair or fabrication.
Assists in regular inspections for and performs preventive maintenance adjustments; services and lubricates equipment.
Performs a full range of general maintenance duties including to clean, paint, and maintain pump stations, pump housing, vaults, and related equipment and properties.
Operates a variety of vehicles, equipment, and hand and power tools including, but not limited to, compressors, forklifts, commercial vehicles, cranes, drill presses, welding equipment, and hand and power tools; cleans, maintains, and calibrates assigned equipment.
Performs work in confined spaces; performs necessary precautions prior to entering confined spaces with potential hazardous atmospheres; use air quality monitors and ventilators.
Maintains inventory and assists with ordering replacement parts and equipment for machinery in the plants and at the pump stations; researches and obtains prices on replacement equipment and repair parts; coordinates with suppliers/contracts in order to ensure correct sections of equipment ordered.
Maintains records of basic operations, maintenance and work performed.
Serves in emergency standby capacity; provides all aspects of plant and pump station maintenance and repair during after hours periods including holidays and weekends.
May serve as crew leader as assigned over a small crew including temporary workers and lower level employees; may meet with subcontracts to set up jobs; participates in training new employees in work practices and in how to apply policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations.
Performs related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Operational characteristics of water and wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations including associated mechanical and electrical equipment and devices.
Basic theories and fundamentals of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical principles associated with the repair and operation of plant equipment and pumping stations.
Materials, methods, techniques, and terminology used in maintenance and repair activities related to the maintenance and repair of water and wastewater plants and associated equipment.
Methods, techniques, tools and equipment used to repair, rebuild and fabricate equipment.
Welding principles, practices, tools, and equipment.
Operational characteristics of maintenance and construction equipment and tools used in work activities.
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices including those associated with working in confined spaces.
Proper procedures used in the maintenance and repair of hand and power tools.
Mathematical principles.
Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations.
Basic principles and practices of record keeping.
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Principles and practices of customer service.
Ability to:
Perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled duties involved in the maintenance and repair of the City's water and/or wastewater treatment plants and allied facilities.
Read, explain, and follow blueprints, mechanical drawings, and oral and written instructions, particularly from maintenance and service manuals.
Install, align, test, operate, and maintain mechanical equipment and machinery including pumps, valves, valve operators, piping, chemical feed equipment, and mechanical conveyance equipment.
Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
Maintain records of time, material, and Work Order status using City Works Asset Management program.
Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations.
Perform mathematical calculations required to adjust and calibrate equipment.
Respond to plant and pump station maintenance/repair emergencies.
Use alignment instruments including laser, dial indicators, micrometers, calipers, and other related installation and repair tools and meters.
Use electrical testers on circuits less than or equal to 48 volts DC.
Test, maintain, and install lead acid batteries on engine driven equipment.
Test, maintain, and install starting systems, charging systems, and ignition systems on engine driven equipment.
Work in closely confined spaces while wearing a respirator.
Safely drive and skillfully operate equipment and machinery including trucks, compressors, forklifts, cranes, drill presses, welding equipment, and hand and power tools.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Maintain good housekeeping practices.
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Minimum Requirements
Plant Systems Technician I/II
Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training/coursework in mechanical repair.
Plant Systems Technician I
Experience:
Two years (full-time equivalent) experience in maintenance of equipment and machinery including pumps, valves and valve operators, chemical feed equipment, or mechanical conveyance.
License or Certificate:
Possession of a valid driver's license.
Plant Systems Technician II
Education/Training:
Completion of progression criteria established by Department.
Experience:
Two years (full-time equivalent) of responsible experience performing duties comparable to a Plant Systems Technician I in the City of Escondido or comparable experience in the maintenance of water/wastewater or equivalent industrial equipment and machinery performing repair, rebuilding, and fabrication of precision parts for pumps, motors, and other mechanical equipment. Experience must also include repair, installation, alignment and test operation of pumps, motors and other mechanical equipment.
License or Certificate:
Possession of a valid driver's license.
Possession of a valid Grade 2 Plant Maintenance Mechanical Technologist certificate.
Journey level certification as a welder or millwright is desirable.
Supplemental Information
NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site.
