Water Maintenance Technician I

Irvine Ranch Water District is currently hiring a Water Maintenance Technician I in the Construction Services Department.

The District:

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website:

IRWD Values

Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.

The Position

Under direct supervision, install, replace, repair, modify and maintain potable and recycled water in a large metropolitan water infrastructure. May be required to participate in the District standby program and scheduled or unscheduled overtime.

** This recruitment will be used to fill a vacancy under the Leak Detection group.**

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry level in the class series. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the higher level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.

For the full job description and responsibilities of the position, please click here.

Performs appropriate maintenance, installation, repair, modification or fabrication of various District pipelines and systems per District specifications.

Routinely required to work in the streets and provide own traffic control, according to District safety standards.

Drives, operates, and maintains equipment, tools, and vehicles.

Assumes the role of District representative to communicate with customers affected by scheduled work.

Provides equipment and maintenance support to other departments.

Complies with District Dechlorination Procedures.

Ensures job site is left safe and clean.

Works in permit and non-permit required confined space and rescue operations environment.

Complies with District safety work-related practices and attends relevant safety training.

Reads and interprets blueprints, maps, atlases, District Specification Book and SDS.

Other related duties as assigned.

Shuts down water service at repair site and installs appropriate shoring as needed.

Restores water service, backfills excavation site and installs trench plate according to city and county specifications.

Ability to identify and use transition couplings, full circle repair clamps, pipeline adapters, compression fittings and other water related repair materials. Familiarity with C-900 PVC, A.C.P., ductile iron, steel, copper, brass, polybutylene and plastic pipes. Ability to use gas detectors, pipe locator, jackhammer, compactor, chipping gun, cutoff saw, tapping machine, saw cutter, silver solder, gas torch, coring machine, boring machine, cement mixer, welder, compressor, pipe freezer, generator, pumps, rotary hammer, dump truck, forklift and a variety of other hand and power tools, as well as heavy equipment including backhoe, skiploader, dozer, crane, mini excavator, water truck and air shovel.

Performs pre-trip safety inspection on vehicles and equipment to be used daily. Ensures parts and materials are available and stocked on the crew truck.

Identifies utility markings at job site to determine location for excavation.

Safely handles and transports hazardous materials including: chlorine, sodium thiosulfate, ammonia, bitumastic, acetylene, asbestos and fuels.

Makes minor repairs to customer services, replaces meter boxes and lids, and isolates damaged facilities for subsequent repairs.

Ability to make determination for leak repair responsibility (District or Customer)

Uses and maintains electronic equipment.

Performs leak detection monitoring of water system facilities to pinpoint points of water loss.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

Education and Experience:

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

Education:

High school graduation or equivalent.

Experience:

One (1) year of experience in water-related maintenance, construction, installation, or repair.

Familiarity with hand and power tools.

Licenses/Certificates Required:

• Valid Class 'C' California Driver's License.
• State Water Resources Control Board Grade 1 Water Distribution Certification.

Ability to:

• Effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Communicate effectively with all levels of office/field employees, management, and vendors.
• Represent the District in a professional manner when dealing with customers, outside contractors, and agency officials.
• Advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Ability to calculate cubic yards and square footage and convert water equivalents.
• Effectively use of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel) and have keyboarding abilities sufficient to perform the job.
• Ability to use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to lift 50 lbs. on a routine basis and up to 90 lbs. with assistance. Must be certified annually to wear respiratory equipment. Must be clean-shaven such that facial hair does not interfere with the fit of a tight-fitting respirator. Ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, twisting and pulling. Ability to operate equipment and machinery with some operations requiring complex and rapid adjustments. Ability to work in a confined space environment and in underground and high locations.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Ability to work under sometimes uncomfortable conditions with exposure to environmental factors such as toxic agents, wildlife, disease, equipment, high-speed traffic or machinery.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

All applicants are required to complete and submit a District application form online and answer the supplemental questionnaire. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of the District online application. To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page.

New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide

Applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department and the subject matter expert. Those applicants possessing the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include:

Oral Interview Examination (tentatively scheduled for November 4, 2025): will evaluate the candidates' experience, training, education, and abilities in relation to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Irvine Ranch Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department for a reasonable accommodation.