Building Mechanic I
We are currently recruiting to fill positions at either the Building Mechanic I or II levels. If you are interested in being considered at both levels, you must apply to the separate, concurrent recruitments being conducted for each level.
While the education and experience minimum requirements differ depending upon the level you apply to, our ideal Building Mechanic candidates will demonstrate that they have years of trade experience working in two or more of the following: access controls and security systems, boilers and chillers, carpentry, central mechanical controls/building automation, electrical, electronics, HVAC, painting, plumbing, refrigeration, and/or roofing. Top candidates will also have:
- Knowledge of the occupational hazards of various trades and how to apply safe work practices
- Experience keeping electronic maintenance/repair records
- Effective customer service and the written and oral communication skills needed to interact and support clients/system users
- Experience efficiently managing work priorities, meeting deadlines, and knocking out punch lists correctly, the first time
- A team player mentality, and willingness to work with others to rapidly troubleshoot issues across different trades
The typical work week is 4/10-hour days, between Monday and Friday, 6:30 am to 5:00 pm PST. Each day starts with a crew meeting of typically 7-10 mechanics and ends with 15 minutes spent on timecard completion and invoice coding. Each week one mechanic is assigned to be on-call for emergency building repairs. Uniforms (jeans, shirts, and jackets) and boot vouchers up to $225/pair (max of two pairs) are provided.
What We Offer
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $565 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
- With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Building Mechanic II (salary up to $44.05/hour)
Join Our Team
The Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SoCoPi) Department leads the way to a safe and sustainable community by planning, building, managing, and maintaining Sonoma County's investment in quality services and infrastructure. SoCoPi operates and maintains various facilities across the County, many of which were constructed during the 1950s and 60s and require consistent upkeep and care. The locations include the Airport Complex, County Administration Center, Chanate and Los Guilicos Campuses, Main Adult Detention Facility, and four Veterans' Memorial Buildings.
Please note that the construction and maintenance responsibilities of the Building Mechanic positions require sitting, standing, reaching, kneeling, bending, stooping, crawling, squatting, crouching, grasping, and walking on level, sloped, and slippery surfaces at various heights. They also require the need to lift, carry, and push equipment, materials, and supplies weighing up to 100 pounds. Incumbents are required to work in all weather conditions, including rain, cold, heat, fumes, dust, and other air contaminants which may cause eye and skin irritation. The nature of the work also requires incumbents to handle noise-producing tools and equipment, refrigerants and solvents, and drive County vehicles. Possession of a valid class C or higher driver's license is required for this position because the position's typical duties include fieldwork that requires driving County vehicles.
Additionally, this position is required to have access to Sheriff's Office and/or Probation Department facilities and/or view data or work with information systems for these departments. This requires that a more extensive "Security Clearance" will be performed after hire. Successful completion of the probationary period will be contingent upon passing the security clearance, which includes a Live Scan fingerprint-based check of the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) criminal records. If you are offered a position that requires a security clearance, the job offer letter will clearly specify this as a condition of the probationary period.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill a Building Mechanic position at either the I or II level in SoCoPi, formally the General Services Department. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the International Union of Operating Engineers, Stationary Engineers - Local 39 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of education, experience, and training which would lead to possession of the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, journey level experience in one of the following: electrical, HVAC, carpentry, boilers, plumbing, painting, or electronic systems; OR formal coursework equivalent to two years of building trade school plus one year of work experience in that trade could provide such an opportunity. The ability to read and write English and perform basic arithmetic calculations is required at a level sufficient to perform the duties of the position.
License: Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Special Qualifications: In addition to successfully completing a pre-employment medical screening, incumbents of this class must be able to use a respirator and pass a respirator fit test annually. A certificate of successful completion of hazardous materials training on asbestos and lead paint is required within six months of appointment to this class.
Background Requirement: Incumbents in this class are subject to assignment to work in detention facilities. Candidates certified must be willing to undergo an in-depth background investigation, including a check of: employment history, drug and alcohol use, criminal history, DMV records, and fingerprints. Candidates convicted of a felony or under current formal probation supervision may be subject to disqualification.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of: occupational hazards and safety precautions of the building and mechanical trades; installation, repair, and maintenance using industry standards, materials, tools and procedures in one of the following areas, and general knowledge of remaining areas: electrical theory, procedures and tools; HVAC, including air balance and system calibration; plumbing systems; a variety of electronics systems; carpentry, materials, and tools used in remodeling buildings and building casework; painting, including standard practices and processes of the painting trade, occupational hazards of the trade, and precautionary measures to be observed, including using highly toxic paints.
Working knowledge of: The tools, equipment, and materials used in building trades; uniform electrical, mechanical, plumbing, building, and fire and life safety codes.
Ability to: inspect buildings and associated systems to detect existing or potential problems; read and understand blueprints and circuit diagrams; draw and interpret component sketches; mix and match paints and varnishes; apply paint to a wide variety of surfaces; makes estimates of time and material required on widely varied assignments; keep simple records and prepare simple reports; analyze situations and develop an effective course of action; perform arithmetic calculations as required by the job; read, understand, maintain and follow MSDS sheets and instructions; establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers, employees of other departments and agencies, and the public; learn the operation and routine maintenance of computerized instrumentation and plant operational equipment. Demonstrate physical strength, agility and endurance; lift up to 50 lbs.; stoop, lift and stand for extended periods of time; paint overhead for extended periods of time; work in heat and cold and various outdoor exposures; and safely climb up and down ladders and scaffoldings.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.