Job Information
Santa Clara Valley Water District Vegetation Field Operations Maintenance Worker III in CA, California
Vegetation Field Operations Maintenance Worker III
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Vegetation Field Operations Maintenance Worker III
Salary
$100,006.40 - $127,982.40 Annually
Location
CA, CA
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
01973-E
Division
Watersheds Operations and Maintenance
Unit
Vegetation Field Operations
Opening Date
04/01/2026
Closing Date
4/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Benefits
Questions
Description
Overview:
Are you an experienced Vegetation Maintenance professional with five or more years of experience and a valid Class A driver’s license? If so, we encourage you to consider this opportunity with Valley Water.
Maintenance Worker III is an advanced journey-level position responsible for operating a variety of light construction equipment in support of Valley Water’s maintenance and construction projects. This role provides agency-wide support for work on creeks, ponds, reservoirs, and other flood control facilities throughout the county.
Assigned to the Vegetation Field Operations Unit, this position performs a broad range of duties supporting Valley Water’s vegetation management programs. Responsibilities include vegetation control, integrated vegetation management, arboriculture, native plant revegetation, invasive plant management, and biotechnical erosion control on Valley Water properties.
This is primarily an outdoor position requiring work in varying and sometimes challenging environmental conditions, including heat, cold, and rain. Incumbents may also be required to respond to after-hours flood control emergencies, including nighttime callouts.
As a light equipment operator, the Maintenance Worker III must possess a valid Class A driver’s license to operate Valley Water commercial vehicles and to transport light equipment used in vegetation management and flood control projects. Daily equipment operation may include a compactor, water truck, tree truck and chipper, dump truck, and wheel loader. Equipment is used to haul vegetative debris, maintain native plant mitigation sites, support invasive plant management efforts, and assist with Valley Water’s sandbag operations.
This position also ultimately requires a Qualified Applicator’s Certificate (QAC) in Category C (Right-of-Way) and Category F (Aquatics) to mix and apply herbicides and calibrate spray equipment for vegetation control on Valley Water managed properties.
Our Commitment:
We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.
About Valley Water:
Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.
Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Operation of vehicles and equipment associated with vegetation management activities.
Support of skilled labor contract work on vegetation management activities.
Calibration of herbicide spray equipment, interpreting pest control recommendations, calculation of herbicide tank mixes, mixing loading and application of herbicides to control undesirable plants.
Supporting the monitoring and assessment of success criteria on mitigation sites.
Providing input on and assisting lead and supervisory staff in tracking daily work accomplishments associated.
Participate in a variety of integrated vegetation management activities using chemical, mechanical, and biological controls to manage native plant revegetation projects, invasive plant management projects, vegetation control projects, tree removals, biotechnical erosion control projects, and overall integrated vegetation management work on Valley Water properties.
Clear brush, weeds, and debris from worksites, canals, ponds, creeks, reservoirs, pipelines, water treatment plants, dams, and other open areas; prune vegetation, perform tree removals including standing or downed trees.
Prepare soil and install native plant revegetation per established plans; maintain mitigation areas to achieve success criteria and meet monitoring requirements.
Install, adjust, and repair irrigation systems, including heads, lines, and controllers.
Operate a variety of small power tools and light equipment, including spray equipment, mowers, chain saws, weed eaters, pole saw, hydro seeder, small trenchers, loader, compactors, water trucks, forklift, straw mulcher, auger, sandbag machine, and chipper; clean, adjust, and perform minor maintenance on light equipment to ensure proper operating condition.
Mix and apply herbicides, and calibration of spray equipment to control the growth of vegetation on and around flood control and water distribution facilities and rights of way.
Build or remove browse cages or other devices to keep wildlife from damaging native plant revegetation sites.
Build phytosanitary benches, fences, irrigation, etc. in support of native plant holding facility.
Participate in Valley Water’s sandbag program as needed.
Perform calculations of required work materials; document daily application of chemical use; photo documentation of work, complete work order dailies, best management practices checklists, surveys, forms, and time data entries. Maintain paper and electronic records of work performed.
Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:
Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.
Ideal Experience:
Five (5) years of experience in a regulated integrated vegetation management program performing vegetation control activities, invasive plant management, and native plant revegetation projects.
Ideal Skills and Abilities:
Participate in a variety of integrated vegetation management activities using chemical, mechanical and biological controls to manage native plant revegetation projects, invasive plant management projects, vegetation control projects, tree removals, biotechnical erosion control projects, and overall integrated vegetation management work on Valley Water properties.
Clear brush, weeds, and debris from worksites, canals, ponds, creeks, reservoirs, pipelines, water treatment plants, dams, and other open areas; prune vegetation, perform tree removals including standing or downed trees.
Prepare soil and install native plant revegetation per established plans; maintain mitigation areas to achieve success criteria and meet monitoring requirements.
Install, adjust, and repair irrigation systems, including heads, lines, and controllers.
Operate a variety of small power tools and light equipment, including spray equipment, mowers, chain saws, weed eaters, pole saw, hydro seeder, small trenchers, loader, compactors, water trucks, forklift, straw mulcher, auger, sandbag machine, and chipper; clean, adjust, and perform minor maintenance on light equipment to ensure proper operating condition.
Mix and apply herbicides, and calibration of spray equipment to control the growth of vegetation on and around flood protection and raw water distribution facilities and rights of way.
Build or remove browse cages or other devices to keep wildlife from damaging native plant revegetation sites. Build phytosanitary benches, fences, irrigation, etc. in support of native plant holding facilities.
Participate in Valley Water’s sandbag program as needed.
Perform calculations of required work materials; document daily application of chemical use; photo documentation of work, complete work order dailies, best management practices checklists, surveys, forms, and time data entries. Maintain electronic records of work performed.
Employees have a responsibility for safety; for following safety regulations and safety policies and procedures applicable to their work.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their supervisors or by law.
Ideal Knowledge:
Operations, services, and activities of integrated vegetation management.
Practices, procedures, tools, and equipment used in integrated vegetation management on raw water distribution and flood protection facilities.
Use and application of a variety of herbicides for vegetation control and invasive plant management activities.
Operation characteristics and maintenance requirements of irrigation systems.
Principles, practices, and responsibilities involved in leading the work of assigned staff on native plant revegetation, invasive plant management, biotechnical erosion control, and vegetation control methods.
International Society of Arboriculture ANSI pruning and safety standards.
Various plant diseases and pests.
Cultural, biological, chemical, and mechanical methods for vegetation control activities.
Planting techniques and irrigation assembly and maintenance.
Biotechnical erosion control techniques, including geotextile fabric installation, and hydroseeding.
Integrated pest management strategies.
Best management practices, including ground nesting survey techniques.
Principles and practices of horticulture, arboriculture, and soil restoration.
Ideal Training and Education:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
Required License or Certificate
Must have a satisfactory driving record and possess a valid California Class A driver's license with tanker endorsement at the time of hire.
Possession of a Qualified Applicator’s Certificate or Qualified Applicator License in Category C issued by the State of California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation at the time of hire.
Possession of a Qualified Applicator’s Certificate or Qualified Applicator License in Category F issued by the State of California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation within 6 months of hire.
To review the Classification Specification, please clickhere (https://tinyurl.com/2h86rpun)
Vegetation Field Operations Unit (Position Code 1059)
Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.
This position requires the individual to be onsite and is typically not a teleworking position.
Selection Process
(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.
NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.
Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.
Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.
Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.
Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, clickhere (https://www.valleywater.org/benefits)
01
I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position.
Yes
No
02
Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. Responses that refer to attachments (e.g., “see resume”) will not be considered. Each question must be answered in full to ensure a fair and complete evaluation. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions.
Yes
No
03
Do you have a minimum of Five (5) years of experience in a regulated integrated vegetation management program performing vegetation control activities, invasive plant management, and work on native plant revegetation projects?
Yes
No
04
Are you in possession of a Qualified Applicator’s Certificate or Qualified Applicator License in Categories C and F issued by the State of California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation?
Yes, I have both Categories C and F.
Yes, but I only have Category C.
Yes, but I only have Category F.
No, but I understand that I will need to possess my Category C license by my time of hire and Category F within 6 months of my hire date.
No, and I am not interested in obtaining the Qualified Applicator license or certificate.
05
If you do not have your Qualified Applicator’s Certificate or Qualified Applicator License, you will need to possess the Category C by time of hire and Category F within 6 months of your hire date. Do you understand this requirement?
I have my Qualified Applicator’s Certificate/License.
I understand that I will have to get the Qualified Applicator’s Certificate/License Category C by time of hire and obtain my Category F within 6 months of my start date.
I do not want to move forward by obtaining my Qualified Applicator’s Certificate/License.
06
Do you have a satisfactory driving record and a California Class A driver’s license with tanker endorsement?
Yes.
No, but I understand I must obtain it by time of hire.
No, and I am not interested in obtaining my Class A California driver’s license.
07
Have you completed the equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade?
Yes
No
08
This position may be required to respond to after-hours flood control emergencies, including nighttime callouts and holidays and weekends. Do you have any concerns with this requirement?
Yes
No
09
Please describe your training and experience in an integrated vegetation management program performing vegetation control of invasive species and revegetation of native species.
10
Describe your experience reading, interpreting, and following written and verbal work orders and instructions.
11
Describe your experience operating vehicles and equipment associated with vegetation management.
12
Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs. If you live further than 150 miles from Valley Water Headquarters, please discuss your willingness to relocate if offered the position. If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".
13
Please list the full name of the regular/permanent Valley Water employee who referred you to this position (only one name will be accepted, so if multiple are listed, the first name provided will be documented as the referring employee). If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".
Required Question
Employer
Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA)
Address
5750 Almaden Expressway
San Jose, California, 95118
Phone
1-408-630-2260
Website
https://www.valleywater.org
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