Lead Plant Systems Technician

Job Description:

Lead Plant Systems Technician

Description

Summary

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Lead Plant Systems Technician in our Utilities Department/Water Division. 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 website.

Under direction, leads, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for performing 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

This is the advanced journey level class in the Plant Systems Technician series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series and serve as lead worker for an assigned group of employees. Employees at this level may be assigned specialized functions and are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

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.

Leads, plans, trains, and reviews the work of staff responsible for performing a full range of duties involved in the maintenance and repair of the City’s water and/or wastewater treatment plants and allied facilities.

Estimates time, materials, and equipment required for jobs assigned; requisitions necessary tools, equipment, materials, and supplies as required; maintains parts inventory; orders necessary parts.

Trains assigned employees in their areas of work including maintenance and repair methods, procedures, and techniques.

Verifies the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications; ensures adherence to safe work practices and procedures; supervises the use, care, and operation of equipment; ensures adherence to best management practices; ensures cleanliness of work area and tools.

Oversees and participates in performing 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 electrical motors and related equipment; fits pipes; installs, aligns, test operates, and mechanically maintains all manner of equipment throughout the plants, collection, and distribution systems.

Oversees and participates in repairing, rebuilding, designing, measuring, and fabrication of parts and/or equipment.

Makes repairs, modifications, and replaces broken or damaged equipment on chemical feed systems.

Designs and welds equipment; repairs parts using welding techniques, including utilizing gas and/or arc welding and plasma cutting equipment to heat, cut, braze, or weld.

Provides expert-level knowledge, oversees and evaluates precision parts to verify OEM tolerances to provide information to machine shops to perform repair or fabrication.

Oversees, assists, and performs regular inspections and performance of preventative maintenance adjustments; services and lubricates equipment.

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 and prepares basic reports regarding 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.

Meet with subcontractors or contractors to set up jobs.

Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a water and/or wastewater treatment plant and allied facilities maintenance and repair program.
Principles of lead supervision and training.
Operational characteristics of water and wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations including associated mechanical and electrical devices.
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 and rebuild equipment.
Welding principles, practices, tools, and equipment.
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices including those associated with working in confined spaces.
Operational characteristics of maintenance and construction equipment and tools used in work activities.
Proper procedures used in the maintenance and repair of hand and power tools.
Mathematical principles.
Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations.
Principles and practices of record keeping and basic report preparation.
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to:
Lead, organize, and review the work of staff.
Independently perform the most difficult tasks involved in the maintenance and repair of the City’s water and/or wastewater treatment plants and allied facilities.
Interpret, explain, and enforce department policies and procedures.
Perform highly skilled tasks involved in the repair or fabrication of precision machine parts at 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, test, and operate mechanical equipment and machinery including pumps, valves, valve operators, piping, chemical feed equipment, and mechanical conveyance equipment.
Align precision equipment within manufacturers’ specifications utilizing laser alignment tools.
Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
Prepare and maintain records of time, material, and Work Order status using City Works Asset Management program.
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 for 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

Education/Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training/coursework in mechanical repair.

Experience:

Three years (Full-Time equivalent) of increasingly responsible experience performing duties comparable to a Plant Systems Technician II 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 3 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. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.

All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.

The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.

Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. 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.

Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the U.S. armed forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Did not retire from military service
• Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.

ABOUT OUR CITY
The City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.

EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.

The City of Escondido offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

The Benefits of Choice program offers you a range of benefits. You choose the coverage that is right for you, your family and your budget. Read this e-Guide for an overview of your options, with links to additional details and forms.

For a more detailed overview of this benefits package, please visit the Maintenance and Operations Benefit Summary and the Memorandum of Understanding.

Closing Date/Time: 8/3/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$97,206.84 - $130,266.48 Annually