Plant Mechanic I/II - Wastewater
City of ModestoTHE POSITION
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Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and make a real impact? We’re looking for motivated individuals to help keep our critical wastewater systems running smoothly! As a Plant Mechanic I/II, you’ll play a hands-on role in installing, maintaining, and repairing essential equipment—including engines, pumps, and mechanical systems—at our sewer and storm lift stations, as well as our water and wastewater treatment plants.Upcoming Salary Increases and Incentives:3% effective 7/1/20262.5% Education Incentive - Bachelor's Degree5% Education Incentive - Master's Degree
The Plant Mechanic I/II is responsible to install, maintain, and repair plant equipment, engines, pumps, and related equipment located on sewer and storm lift stations and within the primary or secondary wastewater and/or water production treatment plants; and to oversee and participate in the work of a crew engaged in plant repair and maintenance.
We currently have an opening in our Wastewater Division.APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Do not substitute any part of the application form with the words "see resume". The following information is provided for you to use as a reference and as a planning tool. Human Resources is unable to schedule make-up examinations.
Applicants considered to be the most qualified will be invited to continue in the testing process.Tentative Testing Schedule
In-Person Written ExamFriday, May 8, 2026
Human Resources reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City. We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.
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ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Functions:
Participate in the work of a crew that performs major and minor repair work and overhauls on treatment plant equipment such as engines, sewer and storm pumping stations, pumps, and lift stations; tune engines, set valve clearance, clean and adjust regulators, clean and inspect magnetic points, clean and adjust engine timing, and check gas and other controls and devices.
Inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and service facilities, machinery, and equipment including pumps, valves, motors, engines, compressors, and computerized pneumatic and odor control systems.
Rebuild and overhaul pumps, pneumatic control systems, and ventilation blower units.
Read and interpret blueprints; provide input on design blueprints and recommend changes before finalization.
Operate and maintain a variety of equipment and tools in the performance of maintenance tasks.
Perform regularly scheduled preventive maintenance work on plant and pumping station equipment; maintain comprehensive logs of all maintenance work done on equipment.
Operate a crane for removing pumps, machinery, and equipment for overhaul and repair.
Maintain and repair equipment used for disinfection of water/wastewater using gas chlorine; connect and disconnect cylinders; maintain and use self-contained breathing apparatus.
Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
Spray pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides in a safe manner and handle chemicals accordingly.
Coordinate activities with other departments and divisions.
Solicit bids and purchase equipment, parts and tools.
Design, fabricate, and assemble a variety of equipment; design and fabricate specialty tools, as required.
Keep detailed records of maintenance and repairs; record data and run times for pump motors, stand by generators, and related equipment.
Calibrate air testers and maintain up-to-date equipment for confined space entries.
Accurately estimate projects costs for budgeting purposes; monitor and control expenditures.
Recommend improvements to the design, installation, and maintenance of storm and sewer stations and equipment used to operate the plant.
Diagnose and resolve mechanical and electrical malfunctions.
Perform confined space entries per City of Modesto and CalOSHA regulations.
When required, participate in all phases of reclamation plant activities and operations.
Marginal Functions:
Perform related duties as assigned.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
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Plant Mechanic IExperience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
One year as a Plant Mechanic Trainee with the City of Modesto or two years of increasingly responsible experience in the operation and maintenance of pumps, compressors, engines, and related equipment.
Training:
High School diploma or GED equivalency.
License or Certificate:
Possession of a valid Class A or Class B Commercial California driver's license with appropriate endorsements, as assigned, is required within ninety (90) days of appointment.
Depending on assignment, one or more of the following is required:
Possession of a State of California Pesticide Applicator’s License is required within six months of assignment.
Possession of a valid crane operator certificate, issued by the National Commission of Crane Operators, is required within six months of assignment.
Failure to obtain any of the required licenses/certificates within the prescribed time and/or failure to pass the federally mandated DOT drug/alcohol test after obtaining the license will result in release from probation or termination.In addition to the qualifications for the Plant Mechanic I:
Plant Mechanic II
Knowledge of:
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.
Operations of wastewater/water production process equipment.
Safety practices for confined space entry.
Preventive maintenance and inspection methods.
Basic operation and maintenance of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
Water and/or storm water sampling methods.
Water disinfection and chemical dosage requirements.
Safety procedures in handling chemicals.
Safe operation of cranes.
Electrical and mechanical lockout and tagout safety procedures.
Operation of internal combustion engines and electrical pump motors.
Basic electrical knowledge involved in working on pumps, motors, and other equipment.
Equipment, tools, and materials used in maintaining and repairing wastewater/water production treatment plants and related equipment.
Ability to:
Independently perform a variety of skilled mechanical repair and maintenance work on wastewater/water production treatment plant engines, pumps, and other equipment.
Independently troubleshoot and diagnose malfunctions and determine effective course of action for correcting them.
Read and interpret blueprints.
Work in confined spaces.Experience and Training GuidelinesAny combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Two years of responsible experience as a Plant Maintenance Mechanic I with the City of Modesto.
Training:
High School diploma or GED equivalency.
License or Certificate:
Possession of a valid Class A or Class B Commercial California driver’s license with appropriate endorsements, as assigned, within ninety (90) days of appointment.
Depending on assignment, one or more of the following is required:
Possession of a valid crane operator certificate, issued by the National Commission of Crane Operators, is required within six months of assignment.
Possession of a Plant Maintenance Grade II Certification issued by the California Water Environmental Association (CWEA).
Possession of a valid Grade II Mechanical Technologist Certificate issued by the California Water Pollution Control Association.
Possession of a Collections Systems Maintenance Technologist Grade II Certification issued by the California Water Environmental Association (CWEA).
Backflow Tester Certification issued by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) is desirable.
Failure to obtain any of the required licenses/certificates within the prescribed time and/or failure to pass the federally mandated DOT drug/alcohol test after obtaining the license will result in release from probation or termination. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility: frequent performance of heavy manual labor; frequent standing for long period of time; frequent bending and squatting. Lifting: frequent lifting up to 75 pounds; occasional lifting up to 100 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision. Dexterity: frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking in person. May be required to wear ear protection or hear in noisy conditions. Emotional/ Psychological: frequent coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental: frequent exposure to loud noise; frequent exposure to chemicals, fumes, and other environmental substances.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in a typical outdoor environment on a year-round basis subject to typical street or field noise and environment including exposure to loud equipment and machinery. Some positions may be assigned to remote locations. Positions may require occasional stand-by, overtime or weekend work and travel is rare.