Utility Worker / Public Works Trainee

City And Job OverviewThe City of Garden Grove is now accepting applications for: UTILITY WORKER / PUBLIC WORKS TRAINEEDeadline to apply for this recruitment is Monday, June 22, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST.Click here to apply online: Join Our TeamThere are currently several vacancies for Utility Worker and/or Public Works Trainee within the Park Maintenance, Street Maintenance, Tree Maintenance, Sewer Maintenance, and Water Distribution divisions of the Public Works Department. We anticipate creating an eligibility list from this recruitment that may be used to fill current and future vacancies for Utility Worker and Public Works Trainee classifications, so apply now!Utility Worker is an entry-level full-time position that can lead to various higher level jobs in Public Works such as Water Service Worker, Street Maintenance Worker, Sewer Maintenance Worker and Park Maintenance Worker. The Utility Worker position will work a "9/80" schedule (meaning every other Friday off) with occasional changes and additional hours to accommodate division needs. Employees may be required to work mandatory overtime as needed by the department.Public Works Trainee (PWT) is an entry-level part-time position in the City's general maintenance series. These jobs perform a range of duties that require light and/or heavy manual labor. All Public Works Trainees are part-time employees that work 20 - 30 hours per week. However, working as a Public Works Trainee provides opportunity to earn while you learn. Typical work hours are 6:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. up to 1500 hours per fiscal year.Public Works Trainees are considered to be in a training status for higher-level positions in the maintenance area. When vacancies occur in the City's entry-level full-time maintenance position of Utility Worker, Public Works Trainees may have the opportunity to compete for a regular, full-time position.Essential DutiesUTILITY WORKER (FULL-TIME): $4,092 - $5,758 monthly / $23.6097 - $33.2199 per hourUnder supervision, a Utility Worker works as a member of an assigned maintenance crew and performs a variety of heavy, unskilled physical tasks assisting with general cleanup, installation, repair, and other related duties as assigned by the crew leader. For a full list of job duties, you can visit the Class Specification.PUBLIC WORKS TRAINEE (PART-TIME): $22.2527 - $31.3150 per hourUnder supervision, a Public Works Trainee works as a member of an assigned maintenance crew and performs a variety of light and/or heavy, unskilled physical tasks as assigned by the crew leader. For a full list of job duties, you can visit the Class Specification.Utility Workers and Public Works Trainees may be placed in any of the following units:Park Maintenance: responsible for repairing, constructing and maintaining 19 parks, irrigation infrastructure, herbicide application, 3 aquatic facilities and related equipment, and maintaining over 35 miles of street median landscaping within the City of Garden Grove.Street Maintenance (Asphalt/Concrete/Right-of-Way): responsible for maintaining and repairing streets and sidewalks, graffiti removal, hazardous spills response, and shopping cart abatement.Tree Maintenance: responsible for maintaining, planting, pruning, and removing trees, flood control inspection and repair, graffiti removal, shopping cart abatement, herbicide application, and storm water pollution prevention.Water Service: responsible to repairing, replacing and installing water meters, mains, fire hydrants and other related facilities, reading meters and providing customer service regarding residential and commercial water service. Mandatory after-hours overtime is required if called to respond to a water emergency.Sewer Maintenance: responsible for installing, operating and replacing sewer cleaning equipment and maintaining and servicing over 312 miles of sewer lines, 9,700 manholes, and four sewer lift stations.RequirementsEDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:UTILITY WORKER (FULL-TIME): Education equivalent to the completion of tenth grade is required; however, the possession of a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent is highly desirable. No experience is required; however, related or similar training and/or experience is desirable and applicants who possess it may be considered before those who do not possess it.PUBLIC WORKS TRAINEE (PART-TIME): No degree or experience is required.KNOWLEDGE OF:How to safely use and properly care for a variety of hand and power tools and equipment; techniques and materials used in landscaping, building, streets, vehicle, and/or park maintenance and repair; safe operation and maintenance of a wide variety of construction, hand and power tools and equipment is highly desirable; safe and proper operation of motorized equipment and vehicles.ABILITY TO:See well with or without corrective lenses; use hands skillfully to perform heavy, repetitious and routine manual labor; bend, stoop, stretch, climb, push, pull and otherwise manipulate equipment or materials weighing up to 50 pounds; learn to perform basic maintenance and repair duties; read, write, understand and follow verbal and written instructions and information in English; learn to safely operate hand and power tools, machinery and equipment; learn to operate a variety of motor and mechanical equipment properly and safely; learn to read gauges and other measuring devices; learn to service and maintain machinery; learn and apply safety guidelines; exercise independent judgment and initiative within established guidelines; and provide friendly customer service and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, supervisors and the general public.OTHER REQUIREMENTS:Candidates must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver license and an acceptable driving record in order to operate a City vehicle. An acceptable driving record is one that has three (3) or fewer DMV points issued within the past five (5) years, and no more than one (1) DUI within the past ten (10) years. Some positions may be trained to drive larger, heavier vehicles requiring a Class A or Class B driver license.WORK ENVIRONMENT:The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification primarily work outside in varying environments, often performing physically demanding work. Incumbents may be required to work weekends or on-call on an as needed basis.Other Important InformationHOW TO APPLYOnline applications can be completed by visiting: www.ggcity.org/hr. City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.The deadline to apply is Monday, June 22, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST.Online application packets must includea completed online employment applicationa completed supplemental questionnaireThe job application must be completely filled out. A resume may be submitted but cannot substitute for requested information. Be sure to detail any education, training, or other relevant course work that would make you a particularly strong candidate.Only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to further testing.THE SELECTION PROCESSSelection Process Will Consist Of:Written exam – tentatively scheduled for 7/15/2026 and 7/16/2026 in-personOral panel interview – tentatively scheduled for 8/5/2026APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EMAIL ONLY. Applicants should check their email and spam mail for all notices regarding their status.Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must contact the Human Resources Department at ggjobs@ggcity.org at least one week prior to any test dates.If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact ggjobs@ggcity.org.NEPOTISM POLICYThe City has adopted a Nepotism Policy that may affect the status of a candidate's application. Please refer to the Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.44.440 Nepotism Policy for more information.EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERThe City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non-disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law.DISASTER SERVICE WORKERPer Government Code 3100, in the event of a disaster, employees of the City of Garden Grove are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEESVACATIONAccrues At The Following Rates:80 hours upon completion of one (1) year120 hours after one (1) year - 10 hours per month132 hours after four (4) years - 11 hours per month144 hours after nine (9) years - 12 hours per month156 hours after eleven (11) years - 13 hours per month168 hours after fourteen (14) years - 14 hours per month186 hours after sixteen (16) years - 15.5 hours per month207 hours after nineteen (19) years - 17.25 hours per month246 hours after twenty-four (24) years - 20.6 hours per monthHOLIDAYS: 14 paid holidays a year (up to 125 hours)SICK LEAVE: Accrues at 8 hours for each full calendar month of service.CAFETERIA PLAN HEALTH INSURANCE: The City provides each eligible employee a fringe benefit allocation to purchase benefits for themselves and their dependents. Any unused portion of the allowance may be put into a deferred compensation plan, or taken as cash at the end of the year, or invested into a Flexible Reimbursement Account in which employees may tax-defer funds to use to pay for childcare or to cover those health and dental care expenses (deductibles, etc.) that are not reimbursed by an insurance carrier.DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Employees may contribute to a 457(b) account up to the maximum as determined by the IRS annually. There is no City contribution.RETIREMENT:Tier I - Employees hired prior to January 1, 2013, are covered by the "2.5% at 55" single highest year option of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute eight percent (8%) of salary to PERS on a tax-deferred basis. Employees hired after January 1, 2013 that have already been enrolled in CalPERS or another reciprocal retirement system and do not have a break in service of more than six (6) months may be hired into Tier I. The plan also includes the 1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level), and $5,000 death benefit.Tier II - Employees hired after January 1, 2013, are covered by the "2% at 62" three highest year average option of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute half of the normal cost to PERS on a tax-deferred basis. The plan also includes the 1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level), and $5,000 death benefit.BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Employees may receive $85 per pay period if designated by the department head and certified by Human Resources to use bilingual verbal and translation abilities for languages such as Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, or other designated languages. A designated and certified bilingual employee required to utilize his/her verbal-only bilingual abilities (Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish and/or any other language designated by the City Manager) on City business will be paid $65 each pay period.TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Employees who successfully pass probation may receive up to $3,000 per year for pre-approved completed coursework toward a college degree.FOR PART-TIME BENEFITED EMPLOYEESHOLIDAYS: Up to 62.5 hrs. per year, 1/2 of each holidayVACATION:Accrues at the following rates:40 hours upon completion of one (1) year60 hours after one (1) year - 5 hours per month72 hours after nine (9) years - 6 hours per month84 hours after fourteen (14) years - 7 hours per month105 hours after nineteen (19) years - 8.75 per month123 hours after twenty-four (24) years - 10.25 HOLIDAYS: Up to 62.5 hrs. per year, 1/2 of each holiday.SICK LEAVE: Accrues at the rate of four (4) hours with pay for each full calendar month of service.INSURANCE: The City provides each eligible employee a monthly allocation that can be applied to the cost of medical insurance. All employee deductions for medical in excess of the City's allocation are done on a pre-tax basis. Part-time benefited employees may elect to enroll in a dental or vision plan.RETIREMENT:Tier I - Employees hired prior to January 1, 2013 are covered by the "2.5% at 55" single highest year option of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute eight percent (8%) of salary to PERS on a tax-deferred basis.Tier II - Employees hired and enrolled into PERS after January 1, 2013 are covered by the "2% at 62" 3-year average option of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute half the normal cost to PERS on a tax-deferred basis.DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees may contribute to a 457(b) account up to the maximum as determined by the IRS annually. There is no City contribution except for any remaining fringe benefit allocation monies.FOR PART-TIME NON-BENEFITTED EMPLOYEESRETIREMENT: Part-time employees participate in a deferred compensation package, which means that payroll retirement payments of 7 1/2% will be deducted from their pay and placed in a deferred compensation account, to be available after the employee leaves or retires. If the employee works in excess of 1,000 hours within a single fiscal year, the employee must then enroll in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), instead of continuing in the deferred compensation program, as above. If this occurs, employees contribute half of the normal cost into PERS.SICK LEAVE: Employees receive sick leave time in accordance with the California Health Workplace Healthy Family Act (AB1522).FOR BOTH PART-TIME NON-BENEFITED AND BENEFITED EMPLOYEESBILINGUAL PAY: Employees may receive $2.50 per translation up to a maximum of $40 per pay period if designated by department head and certified by Human Resources to use bilingual verbal and translation abilities for languages such as Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, or other designated languages.01Please carefully read these instructions: You are required to answer ALL of the supplemental questions as truthfully and accurately as possible. Your responses are subject to verification and may be used to determine your qualifications for the position and/or assessed in subsequent examination parts. Any sign of deliberate misinformation or intentional exaggeration may result in disqualification from this examination process.Yes – I have read, understood, and agree to these terms.No – I have read, understood, and do not agree to these terms. I understand that selecting "no" will withdraw my application from this process.02Have you completed the tenth grade or educational equivalent?YesNo03Do you possess a high school diploma, successful completion of the GED, or equivalent?YesNo04Please provide a detailed outline of any professional training and/or experience you have obtained that is related to park maintenance, water, streets, trees, and/or sewer maintenance.05Do you currently possess a valid California Driver's License?YesNo06Please indicate the class of driver license you possess. Check all that apply.Class AClass BClass CI do not have a driver's license07Are you willing and able to work mandatory overtime as needed?YesNo08Please select which types of employment you are willing to accept. Check all that apply.Full-timePart-time09Please select which division(s) you are interested in. Check all that apply. Note: You are welcome to select more than one division if you would consider working in those areas. Selecting only 1–2 divisions will not reduce your opportunity to test or be considered. We encourage you to choose only the divisions you are truly interested in so we can better match you with appropriate opportunities.Park MaintenanceStreet MaintenanceTree MaintenanceWater DistributionSewer Maintenance Required Question