What are the responsibilities and job description for the Engineering Technician 1 position at Alameda County Water District?
The Alameda County Water District located in Fremont, California is seeking detail-oriented applicants with the desire to provide field and office technical engineering support to the Groundwater Resources Division in the Water Resources Department. A Technician performs a variety of technical assignments and does work with established procedures. Supervision is close, and assignments are generally reviewed as the work is done. In addition, Technicians work primarily in the field in various climatic conditions and terrain. In addition to requiring top communication skills to interface with customers and contractors, the field assignments require the physical stamina and strength to perform assigned tasks. This position performs a variety of field engineering activities including measuring water levels; collecting water samples and performing field analysis; analyzing field test data; using a Global Positioning System (GPS) to navigate and locate wells.
Ideal candidates will have a degree or coursework in Environmental Science or Engineering, plus technical field experience.Examples of Duties
- Performs field engineering activities, measures and records distances and dimensions in the field, takes water well level and surface water measurements, collects water samples and performs field analysis, collects field test data, assists with specific capacity tests, locates wells, performs stream gauging, conducts fire flow tests and prepares related correspondence, and assists with corrosion control field surveys.
- Collects, summarizes, and reduces data; performs simple to complex engineering calculations; performs engineering design; prepares schematics, plans, detailed drawings and profiles from engineering sketches and/or oral instruction; takes measurements and prepares project documentation and drawings; performs standard drafting and mapping; updates distribution system maps and drawings; uses a computer to enter data into an engineering database system.
- Updates and creates datasets; performs geospatial analysis; ensures the integrity of GIS data; reviews data input for accuracy and compliance with system standards; prepares maps, reports, figures, and exhibits as needed from multiple layers of data.
- Performs customer job order preparation and estimation for District work; coordinates construction and related activities with District Operations and Maintenance Department, developers, external contractors, and other public agencies; may review the work of other technicians.
- Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual and/or triannual drinking water regulatory reports.
- Prepares and maintains record drawings for facilities and infrastructure.
- Provides administrative support to project engineers in managing, tracking, and monitoring budgets and schedules of contracts.
- Effectively provides service to customers and responds to a variety of customer inquiries.
- Reviews elements of engineering drawings and improvement plans submitted by developers, consultants, and other agencies for conformance with district standards to facilitate design; confers and coordinates with vendors, contractors, and/or outside agencies in response to questions; oversees and coordinates work and helps to resolve problems and disputes.
- Maintains engineering files and logs; monitors development project costs and status; maintains procedures for development processes and related work; collects, organizes, files, maintains, retrieves, reproduces, and transmits drawings, maps, logs, reports, and other documents and records as needed; maintains records for District facilities, easements, deeds, annexations, customer job orders, and District projects.
- Performs field surveying and survey verification in support of design and evaluation of capital projects.
- Prepares and reviews easements and property and easement descriptions; prepares utility permits and associated plans and documentation; prepares temporary water service agreements; performs simple research and develops and presents reports; prepares and maintains routine correspondence.
- Performs and/or assists in soil gradation-sieve analysis; operates particle counter; performs and/or assists with materials and equipment tests; performs and/or assists with facility performance testing.
- May provide updates to various databases under the direction of an Engineer.
- May maintain, update, and upgrade the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) database and CIP related records for the District.
- Performs other related work as required.
Typical Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be the equivalent of:
Possession of an Associate Degree or its equivalent in engineering or closely related field. Ideal candidates will have a degree or coursework in Environmental Science or Engineering, plus technical field experience.
Selection Procedure
To be considered for this opportunity, applications must be submitted by Friday, August 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Applicants must complete an online application, including the required supplemental questionnaire, at www.acwd.org/jobs.
The selection process may include the following:
- Application Review: Applications will be evaluated based on the qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined in the job announcement.
- Online Accounting Assessment: Qualified candidates may be required to complete an online examination designed to evaluate accounting knowledge and technical skills.
- Virtual Panel Interview: Candidates who successfully pass the supplemental review and any required assessment will be invited to participate in a virtual panel interview.
The District reserves the right to modify the selection process as needed to best evaluate candidates.
Health Insurance: Coverage is provided through the PERS Health program. Under the Cafeteria Plan, employees will receive a flex dollar allowance to purchase healthcare coverage, and qualifying voluntary products. The employee medical deductions shall not occur in the paycheck in which Union dues are withdrawn.
Dental and Vision: Coverage for the employee and eligible dependents is fully paid by the District.
Retirement: California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) benefit depends on whether the employee is a "new" member or "classic" member under state law.
Classic member: Employee who is a member of PERS or reciprocal agency within six months of hire at ACWD. 2.5% @ 55 with 8% employee contribution. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, Unused Sick Leave Credit, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Final Compensation 1 Year, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Prior Service. The District picks up 2.5% of the CalPERS retirement contribution.
New member: Employees hired after 12/31/12 who were not members of PERS or a reciprocal agency within the last six months of hire at ACWD. 2% @ 62 with 7% employee contribution. Effective 7/1/23 PEPRA employee contributions will increase to 7.75%. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, Final Compensation 3 Years, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Pre-Retirement Option 2W Death Benefit, Prior Service, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Unused Sick Leave Credit.
Social Security/Medicare: The District does not participate in Social Security, but provides a 1.45% matching Medicare contribution.
Retiree Health Benefits: Coverage is provided through the CalPERS Health program. The District's contribution for retiree coverage shall be the PEMHCA minimum contribution as determined by CalPERS on an annual basis. Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for various eligibility and plan details.
Employees hired on or after January 1, 2019 will receive a defined-contribution benefit into a retiree health savings account.
Life Insurance: The District provides Basic Life Insurance and Basic AD&D Insurance of one times your annual salary to a maximum of $150,000. There is no cost to the employee for this insurance.
Long Term Disability: The District provides you with Long Term Disability Income Insurance of 66 2/3% of monthly earnings with a maximum monthly benefit up to $7,000.
Short Term Disability: Coverage is provided through the District for employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week at 66 2/3% of base weekly earnings for the first 12 weeks up to a weekly benefit maximum of $1,650.
Deferred Compensation: Optional deferred income plans allowing tax sheltering of current income and payment later as supplemental retirement income.
Vacation: 10 days first year, increasing to 25 days after 20 years.
Holidays: 12 days per year, plus 4 Floating Holidays per fiscal year
Sick Leave: 12 days per year plus 30 hours/year Medical Appointment Leave.
Employee Assistance Program: Up to 6 sessions for employees and family members for professional consultation and short-term counseling for personal problems.
Tuition Reimbursement: The District will reimburse 100% of the total tuition and textbook costs incurred in taking courses outside of normal working hours related to District employment up to an annual maximum of $5,250.
Salary : $5,250 - $150,000