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Painter

Port of San Diego
Port of San Diego Salary
San Diego, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/17/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/17/2026

The Port of San Diego is seeking a qualified Painter with experience in the application, preparation, and maintenance of marine and industrial-grade paints and protective coatings. The ideal candidate will know surface preparation methods, coating application, and industry-standard safety practices necessary to preserve and protect a wide range of District assets in marine and industrial environments.

DEFINITION
Under general supervision, performs a variety of skilled painting duties including skilled detailed brush, roller, and spray-painting work for the maintenance and decoration of Port buildings, facilities, and equipment; prepares surfaces and painting materials; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This journey-level classification is responsible for the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. 

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Represented positions are subject to the meet and confer process.

Performs skilled painting work, including using brushes, rollers, or spray guns in applying paint, varnish, shellac, enamel, lacquer, or other protective or decorative finishes to various surfaces such as wood, metal, glass, plaster, stucco, wall board, brick, asphalt, and cement.

Applies architectural, commercial, marine, automotive, and specialized industrial protective coatings to a wide variety of buildings, structures, machinery, equipment, boats, docks, piers, and facilities.

Prepares surfaces for painting via pressure washing, fixing scrapes, burns, and sanding.

Determines color schemes for the interiors and exteriors of buildings, equipment, and structures; patches and mixes paint; applies undercoats and finishing coats of paint, enamel, varnishes, wax, and lacquer by brush, roller, and spray; hangs wallpaper; mounts maps and various posters or framed prints.

Paints stripes and various markings on streets and parking lots; paints street light standards and traffic signals; paints floodlight poles and towers.

Climbs ladders and scaffolding to reach elevated surfaces requiring repair, maintenance, or painting.

Plans and lays out work from instructions and/or work orders; requisitions necessary supplies and materials.

Operates various vehicles for transportation to work sites and moving tools and materials.

Assists in training or instructing others in the work; leads the work of others on specific projects, as assigned; provides needed information and demonstrations on how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.

Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment at the close of the workday.

Answers inquiries from citizens regarding work performed; maintains accurate records of work performed.

Performs disaster service worker responsibilities, as directed.

Observes and complies with all Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Performs related duties as required.Knowledge of:

Proper methods, techniques, tools, and equipment used in the preparation of a variety of wood, plastic, metal, and other surfaces for the application of protective and decorative coatings.

Methods, tools, materials, and techniques of mixing, preparing, and applying paint, adhesives, and other protective coatings.

Operations and services of a comprehensive maintenance program in assigned area.

Maintenance principles, practices, equipment, and materials in assigned work areas.

Principles and practices of preventive maintenance in assigned area.

Proper record keeping techniques.

Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Port staff.

Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Ability to:

Mix and prepare paints and other protective coatings.

Safely use the tools and equipment common to the construction and industrial painting trades.

Read and interpret plans, blueprints, and specifications.

Coordinate work assignments with other sections, departments, divisions, or agencies.

Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.

Make accurate arithmetic calculations.

Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.

Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, supplemented by specialized training at the journey-level in painting interior and exterior facilities.

Experience:

Four (4) years of journey-level construction experience or completion of formal certified apprenticeship program or recognized technical training program.

Licenses and Certifications:


A current, valid California Class C driver's license at time of appointment and maintained at all times thereafter in order to operate a vehicle on District business.

Possession of, or successful acquisition within the first twelve (12) months of employment, a valid first aid and CPR certification, to be maintained throughout employment.

The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications.  In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training, and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.

Only qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the assessment process which may be administered by a written examination, panel interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.

Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for one or more of the assessments listed below. Passing score is 70% out of 100% on each assessment section.  

THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT (40%) AND APPRAISAL PANEL (60%) ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026.

To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/portofsd Please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded) to your application or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application. 

Placement on Eligible List: 

The Department of Human Resources may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the assessment process. Candidates who are successful in all phases of the assessment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of ninety (90) days or up to one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to Rule 8, Section 4.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The District firmly believes in, and is committed to, the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. It is the policy of the District to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to age (40 and above), ancestry, color, disability (mental or physical), gender (including identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's sex at birth), marital status, medical condition, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.

Resolution #: 2014 - 130
Dated: June 10, 2014

Salary : $70,574 - $85,779

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