Utility Mechanic I

The Alameda County Water District in Fremont, California is seeking a motivated individual for the Utility Mechanic I position in the Operations & Maintenance Department. As part of the Facilities Maintenance team of skilled trades, the Utility Mechanic series performs a wide range of mechanical maintenance activities for preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and installation work within the District’s Water Supply, Production, Treatment and Distribution facilities. The Utility Mechanic series is responsible for pumps and piping systems, valves, chemical storage and feed systems, and various complex mechanical systems and fixed works within facilities. The position utilizes a variety of hand and shop tools, performs fabrication and welding, rigging and complies with industrial safety requirements. The ideal candidate is an effective communicator with strong mechanical aptitude, initiative, and able to function well both independently and as part of a team.

Utility Mechanic I is the entry-journey level classification in the Utility Mechanic series. Under close to general supervision, within a framework of established policies and procedures, incumbents perform routine mechanical maintenance work, assist with the more complex maintenance and repair work, and will be subject to standby duty or emergency call outs after satisfactory completion of Probationary period. As experience and proficiency are gained, assignments become more varied and complex. Assignments are given in specific terms and are subject to frequent review by the Systems Maintenance Supervisor and/or Senior Utility Mechanic while in progress and upon completion. There is limited latitude for independent judgement and action in well-defined areas of work.

Examples of Duties

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF DUTIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

- Assists in the maintenance of all mechanical systems, and in the repair and maintenance of mechanical facilities located within regulator stations, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission take-offs, well fields, booster stations, actuator valve vaults, and water production and storage facilities.

- Performs less complex repairs, maintenance, installation, and adjustment work on a variety of water production equipment that includes large and small industrial pumps, motors, valves, hydraulic and pneumatic controls and regulators of various types, associated piping systems, chemical systems and processing equipment, compressors, and ozone production and distribution equipment.

- Learns to safely perform more complex tasks; fabricates less complex parts and fittings; makes assemblies and repairs units used in maintenance work from work orders, drawings, specifications, sketches, and verbal instructions; maintains records of training progress.

Typical Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be the equivalent of:

Education and Experience:

Possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent; and

Three (3) years of full-time experience in the maintenance and repair of water distribution systems, water treatment plants, food processing plants, refineries, or similar facility. Two (2) years of full-time experience as a Utility Worker II at the District can substitute for one year of required experience up to a maximum of two years.

Additional Requirements:

- Must possess a valid California driver’s license and maintain a satisfactory driving record.

- A Distribution Operator (D2) license and/or Treatment Operator (T2) license from the State of California must be acquired within 18 months.

- Must obtain, and maintain, Service Truck Crane (STC) certification within 12 months of appointment as required by CAL/OSHA and FED/OSHA.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of standard methods, practices, procedures, and tools of the mechanical maintenance trade; general mechanical equipment repair and maintenance techniques; safety regulations and practices relative to work activities; shop mathematics; the operation and use of electric arc and gas welding and cutting equipment.

Skill and Ability to: perform semi-skilled maintenance and repair of shop, field, and plan equipment and structures; learn to perform skilled mechanical repair, maintenance, and installation work involving the use of specialized tools, instruments, and equipment; learn to interpret mechanical and shop drawings, specifications, and diagrams; acquire increased job knowledge and skills; proper and safe use of a variety of hand and power tools of the trade; apply safe work practices; keep records related to the work; perform the essential functions of the job without causing harm to self or others; operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

The essential duties of this classification require the ability to work outdoors 50% to 100% of the time under various climatic and geographic conditions; to work overtime as needed and subject to standby duty and emergency call-outs as required; to work in an environment with potential exposure to high frequency and constant noise, dust, allergens, chemicals, solvents, fumes, smoke, gases, grease, oil and sun exposure; in confined spaces; on ladders and/or scaffolding; and work around moving vehicles and hazardous equipment and machinery.

The essential duties of this classification require repetitive use of feet and hands to operate vehicles, equipment and tools; the ability to wear, on, and off a self-contained breathing apparatus; to feel the attributes of objects by touch; to verbally exchange ideas and information; to hear to receive verbal detailed information and instruction; to see at arm’s length to twenty feet with a good field of vision; to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or moving surfaces; to climb stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stand, and walk on a sustained basis; to lift and carry tools and equipment and to push and pull objects weighing between 25 to 75 pounds; and finger dexterity and hand strength to operate and grasp tools and equipment.

Selection Procedure

- Application materials must be submitted online at www.acwd.org no later than 5:00 p.m., on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Application materials must include a completed Alameda County Water District Employment application. Incomplete applications will not be given further consideration.

- All application materials will be evaluated, and candidates who present the best job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in a written test. Successful candidates from the written test will be invited to a qualification appraisal interview panel.

Represented employee applicants receive promotional consideration consistent with the provisions of the MOU.

Health Insurance: Coverage is provided through the PERS Health program. Under the Cafeteria Plan, employees will receive a flex dollar allowance to purchase healthcare coverage, and qualifying voluntary products. The employee medical deductions shall not occur in the paycheck in which Union dues are withdrawn.

Dental and Vision: Coverage for the employee and eligible dependents is fully paid by the District.

Retirement: California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) benefit depends on whether the employee is a "new" member or "classic" member under state law.

Classic member: Employee who is a member of PERS or reciprocal agency within six months of hire at ACWD. 2.5% @ 55 with 8% employee contribution. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, Unused Sick Leave Credit, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Final Compensation 1 Year, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Prior Service. The District picks up 2.5% of the CalPERS retirement contribution.

New member: Employees hired after 12/31/12 who were not members of PERS or a reciprocal agency within the last six months of hire at ACWD. 2% @ 62 with 7% employee contribution. Effective 7/1/23 PEPRA employee contributions will increase to 7.75%. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, Final Compensation 3 Years, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Pre-Retirement Option 2W Death Benefit, Prior Service, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Unused Sick Leave Credit.

Social Security/Medicare: The District does not participate in Social Security, but provides a 1.45% matching Medicare contribution.

Retiree Health Benefits: Coverage is provided through the CalPERS Health program. The District's contribution for retiree coverage shall be the PEMHCA minimum contribution as determined by CalPERS on an annual basis. Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for various eligibility and plan details.

Employees hired on or after January 1, 2019 will receive a defined-contribution benefit into a retiree health savings account.

Life Insurance: The District provides Basic Life Insurance and Basic AD&D Insurance of one times your annual salary to a maximum of $150,000. There is no cost to the employee for this insurance.

Long Term Disability: The District provides you with Long Term Disability Income Insurance of 66 2/3% of monthly earnings with a maximum monthly benefit up to $7,000.

Short Term Disability: Coverage is provided through the District for employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week at 66 2/3% of base weekly earnings for the first 12 weeks up to a weekly benefit maximum of $1,650.

Deferred Compensation: Optional deferred income plans allowing tax sheltering of current income and payment later as supplemental retirement income.

Vacation: 10 days first year, increasing to 25 days after 20 years.

Holidays: 12 days per year, plus 4 Floating Holidays per fiscal year.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year plus 30 hours/year Medical Appointment Leave.

Employee Assistance Program: Up to 6 sessions for employees and family members for professional consultation and short-term counseling for personal problems.

Tuition Reimbursement: The District will reimburse 100% of the total tuition and textbook costs incurred in taking courses outside of normal working hours related to District employment up to an annual maximum of $5,250.