SANITATION MAINTENANCE WORKER I

THE JOB: Under general supervision, perform a wide variety of tasks related to the maintenance and repair of pump stations and sewer lines and the maintenance of wastewater treatment and water treatment plants such as assist in sewer line maintenance and repair, perform routine cleaning and servicing activities on pumps and pump station facilities, monitor alarm systems and dispatch crews as necessary to address problems and respond to public inquiries. Incumbents will normally advance to the Sanitation Maintenance Worker II classification after one year of satisfactory service at the Sanitation Maintenance Worker I level. There are currently three vacancies in the Department of Public Works, Sanitation Operations Division. The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current and future vacancies during the life of the eligible list.

THE REQUIREMENTS: No experience required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS: License Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License; and within twelve months from hire, possession of a valid Class A Driver License, with Tank Endorsement.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to variable temperatures and weather conditions; confined work spaces, such as being lowered into and performing work in access holes; heights, such as on ladders; high levels of noise; strong, unpleasant odors; electrical hazards; raw sewage; dust; the possibility of experiencing burns, bodily injury or contact with toxic substances or chemical irritants; possible exposure to infections which might cause chronic disease or death; and working alone in isolated areas.

Other Special Requirements: Alcohol and drug tests will be administered to all candidates prior to final selection for positions requiring class A or B driver licenses upon entry and to employees in positions requiring these licenses, as mandated by Department of Transportation federal regulations. In addition, all candidates must provide specific employment history for up to the past ten years for all jobs they have held which required operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Availability to work irregular hours, including responding to twenty-four hour emergency call.

Knowledge: Some knowledge of the use of common hand tools; basic electrical and plumbing concepts; and basic safety practices and procedures related to performing unskilled manual work.

Ability to: Read and understand manuals and maps; understand and follow oral and written instructions; keep simple written records; learn to use tools and equipment safely and efficiently; learn to read and interpret gauges and make simple chemical tests; interact effectively with the public; work cooperatively with others as part of a crew; lift items weighing up to 75 pounds; perform tasks requiring strength, such as shoveling, lifting equipment onto trucks, climbing over rough terrain, pulling hoses up embankments, positioning a hose full of sludge or climbing three flights of stairs up to ten times per hour; perform tasks requiring manual dexterity, such as calibrating equipment, assembling tools and machinery and pouring chemicals; learn to operate equipment used in sanitation work including a backhoe, television van, flush truck, rodder truck, vacuum truck and dump truck; drive vehicles, such as pick-up trucks and utility trucks; distinguish colors, such as color-coded wires and chemical test guides; work in low light conditions, such as in access holes; put on, wear and use a respirator, a self-contained breathing apparatus and other safety equipment, such as hard hats, gloves, and ear and eye protection and safety shoes; and hear and distinguish various sounds, such as the voices of workers in noisy environments and the sounds of operating equipment.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE – 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years. Available after six months for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and dependents.
DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT – Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security. 
LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
SDI – Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
OTHER – Other pay and benefit items apply to certain positions or assignments, such as Bilingual Pay and On-Call.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. For application materials, contact County of Santa Cruz Department of Public Works Personnel Division, (831) 454-2607. Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.  

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.