Wastewater Collection Field Crew Leader

The Position

The City of Santa Cruz is recruiting for Wastewater Collection Field Crew Leader in the Wastewater Division of the Public Works Department. Under general direction, the Wastewater Collection Field Crew Leader plans, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work of wastewater collection and stormwater maintenance staff; coordinates, monitors, and provides technical input for assigned wastewater collection and stormwater system projects; provides technical assistance to the Collection System Maintenance Manager; performs a variety of technical and skilled tasks relative to the installation, construction, maintenance, and repair of wastewater collection and stormwater systems; and performs related work as required.

To learn more about our multi-award-winning Wastewater Treatment Facility, please visit: https://www.santacruzca.gov/Government/City-Departments/Public-Works/Wastewater

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular and Temporary Wastewater Collection Field Crew Leader vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

• On Thursday, 05/21/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:

  • 
    Application– online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
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    Response to supplemental questions– will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

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  Week of 05/25 and 06/01/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 06/12/26.
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  Week of 06/15 and 06/22/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Typical Duties

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of assigned staff in the wastewater collection and stormwater maintenance division.
• Evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
• Trains staff in work and safety procedures and in the operation and use of equipment and supplies; implements safety procedures and standards.
• Monitors operations and activities of the maintenance work unit assigned to wastewater collection and stormwater system maintenance.
• Recommends improvements and modifications and prepares various reports on operations and activities; recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; implements policies and procedures.
• Determines and recommends equipment, materials, and staffing needs for assigned maintenance projects; participates in the annual budget preparation; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications, as required.
• Maintains a variety of records and prepares routine reports of work performance.
• Provides technical expertise, such as technical expertise related to piping and pump stations, to city engineering staff and contractors.
• Coordinates with and oversees contractors in providing wastewater collection and stormwater system installation, construction, maintenance, and repair services.
• Ensures the maintenance of City’s wastewater and stormwater collection system in a safe and sanitary manner to ensure safe conditions for the City.
• Locate underground utilities in accordance with Underground Service Alert regulations.
• Supervises the operation of specialized vehicles and a variety of light, medium, and heavy equipment related to the inspection, construction, maintenance, and repair of the City’s wastewater and stormwater infrastructure system, including backhoes, front-end loaders, trucks, air compressors, pneumatic hammers, concrete saws, pipe cutters, sprayers, compactors, forklifts, and rollers.
• Supervises and participates in inspection, cleaning, and testing of lines in the collection systems visually or using closed-circuit television devices, rodding and high velocity cleaner, hydraulic vacuum, flush truck, and other specialized equipment.
• Supervises the inspection, maintenance, and repair of wastewater and stormwater lines, mains, laterals, manholes, and cleanouts to ensure compliance with established codes.
• Oversees and participates in confined space entry program, including reviewing and approving confined space entry permits.
• Performs complex maintenance and repair of light, medium, and heavy equipment appropriate to the functional area of assignment.
• Uses and trains staff in the use of a variety of mechanic, welding, plumbing, and machinist tools to fabricate, rebuild, strengthen, and maintain various parts and pieces of equipment as necessary.
• Responds to complaints and answers questions from public or escalates to Manager, as necessary.
• Responds to operations, maintenance, and repair emergency situations as required.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment, such as respiratory personal protective equipment, as required.
• Performs the duties and responsibilities of the Collection System Maintenance Manager in the Manager’s absence.
• May direct operational emergencies, such as weather/storm related events, natural disasters, flood control events, and spill response.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, procedures, and other written materials, such as data entry and create work orders, spill reports, California Integrated Water Quality System CIWQS reports, and other reports as required by state law.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or tested equivalent; and
• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in the inspection, installation, maintenance, and repair of wastewater collection and stormwater systems or equivalent as defined by the California Water Environment Association , including one (1) year of lead and/or supervisory experience.

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles, practices, tools, and materials for installing, cleaning, and repairing wastewater and stormwater collection systems.
• Operation and routine maintenance of applicable hand and power tools, vehicles, and specialized equipment used in wastewater and stormwater system maintenance and repair.
• Safety principles, practices and equipment used in public works field operations, including confined space entry procedures, hazardous materials handling, and equipment safety practices.
• Traffic control and work zone safety procedures, including the placement and use of cones, barricades, warning devices, and flagging operations.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, and policies relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer applications used for record keeping, reporting, and communication.
• Computerized maintenance management systems, asset management systems, related work order tracking software, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system.
• Techniques for providing effective customer service and working with the public, contractors, and City staff.

• Effectively assist in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Effectively supervise, train, plan, organize, schedule, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, procedures, and other written materials,
• Organize, implement, and direct wastewater collection and stormwater system maintenance and repair operations and activities.
• Understand, interpret, and successfully communicate both orally and in writing, pertinent policies and procedures.
• Effectively identify problems, research, and analyze relevant information, develop and present recommendations, and justification for solution.
• Oversee and perform semi-skilled and skilled construction, modification, maintenance, and repair work on wastewater and stormwater collection systems infrastructure such as found in the City.
• Safely and effectively implement best safety practices and procedures related to wastewater and stormwater collection systems such as specialized maintenance and repair equipment inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and repair; and traffic area and construction zones, including appropriate cone and barricade placement and flagging procedures.
• Effectively locate underground utilities in accordance with Underground Service Alert regulations.
• Oversee and perform work in a confined space following required confined space entry procedures.
• Read and interpret construction drawings and specifications and develop accurate arithmetic calculations, such as cost estimates.
• Establish and maintain a variety of manual and computerized files, record keeping, and project management systems.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class B Driver’s License with the appropriate endorsements.
• Must possess a valid Grade III Wastewater Collection System Maintenance Technologist Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) within four (4) qualifying test cycles[1].
• Obtain National Association of Sewer Service Companies certification, (PAPC/LACP and MACP – Pipeline, Lateral, & Manhole) within one year.
• Possession of First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certification.

• Willingness to perform on-call duty assignment and call-back work as required.
• Willingness to wear a uniform.
• Must be clean shaven at all times as required to wear respiratory protection equipment.
• Must maintain compliance with respiratory requirements.
• Must reside within a 30-minute response time by the end of probationary period.

Career Ladder

• Wastewater Systems Manager
• Wastewater Collection Manager
• 
  Wastewater Collection Field Crew Leader
• Senior Wastewater Collection Maintenance Technologist
• Wastewater Collection Maintenance Trainee/Technologist I/Technologist II