Water Distribution Plumber I
Ebmud
The Position
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Applications will ONLY be accepted for a 24-hour period starting Thursday, September 25th at 4:30 p.m. and concluding at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 26th.
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) is now recruiting for Water Distribution Plumber I (WDP I).
WDP I positions work as crew members performing physically demanding outdoor work assisting in the installation, repair, and maintenance of underground pipelines, valves, meters, hydrants, and other related facilities. Additional tasks include:
• Using a variety of hand tools and power tools
• Digging and shoveling dirt, sand, and gravel
• Operating large, heavy tools and equipment
• Placing appropriate safety signs and directing traffic at work sites
• Participating in the Pipeline Training Program to learn the skills necessary to perform the work
WDP I’s work in both the Distribution Maintenance and Construction (DMC) and the Pipeline Construction and Equipment Divisions (PCD) of the Operations and Maintenance Department. Assignments may be made anywhere in EBMUD’s service area and may include job site reporting.
Although no experience is required, the selection process is very competitive. Desirable qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, and minimum one year experience performing outdoor manual labor using construction tools and equipment.
The ideal candidate will be prepared to:
• Report to work on time and be ready to start
• Work cooperatively as a team member
• Understand and follow verbal instructions and directions
• Learn and apply required areas of knowledge
• Build on foundational knowledge as required for promotion
• Use tools and equipment properly, safely and effectively
• Read and understand written training materials
• Use basic arithmetic up to and including fractions, decimals and percentages
• Demonstrate mechanical and spatial ability
The salary range is $7,268 per month increasing to $7,631, $8,013 and $8,414 after 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively.
Through satisfactory performance and completion of our Pipeline Training Academy program, successful WDP Is may be eligible to advance to the journey-level Water Distribution Plumber III (current top salary is $10,258 monthly) after 3 years. We offer a wide range of promotional opportunities within our Operations and Maintenance Department.
Every employee adds value to the EBMUD team as they are committed to responsible stewardship of our resources. The employee standard is to act with integrity, treat others with respect, and value a teamwork culture while fulfilling EBMUD's mission to provide reliable, high-quality water and wastewater services at fair rates.
EBMUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, marital or registered domestic partnership status, age for individuals age forty or older, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental or physical), medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veterans status, family or medical leave status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical condition), pregnancy disability leave status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and other categories protected by federal, state and/or local laws.
Requirements
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1. Completion of the eighth grade.
2. Possession of the physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the job, including:
• Lifting and carrying tools and equipment weighing up to 90 pounds
• Working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
• Working paid overtime on an extended shift or off-hours as needed
3. Possession of a valid California driver's license at the time of application and a satisfactory driving record. DMV reports will be reviewed during the exam process. Applicants who do not have a satisfactory driving record as of October 13, 2025 will be disqualified from the selection process.
NOTE: Successful candidates must obtain a valid, unrestricted Class B California driver's license with endorsement for air brakes within 6 months of appointment to this class. Failure to do so will result in termination of employment. The DMV has medical standards for commercial licenses. Applicants are advised to check with the DMV to ensure that they are aware of the medical requirements for a Class B license.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. To be considered under the “equivalent combination of education and experience” provision, it is your responsibility to include in your application materials written evidence of employment performed at the level of the typical duties of this position and/or coursework in subject areas directly related to this position. For more information, see our FAQ page at http://www.ebmud.com/jobs/job-resources/job-faqs-frequently-asked-questions/.
The Selection Process
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1. Submit a completed EBMUD application and the required supplemental question responses by 4:30 p.m., Friday, September 26, 2025.
2. Candidates must achieve a passing score on each test part in order to advance to the next step in the selection process.
3. Application materials will be reviewed and those applicants meeting the minimum requirements will be invited to an in-person written test, scheduled for October 10-12, 2025. Applicants will need a valid photo ID to be admitted to the written test.
4. The written test subject areas will include reading comprehension, math, mechanical ability, safety, and tools, equipment and materials.
5. Those candidates scoring highest on the written test will be invited to a qualifying physical abilities test tentatively scheduled for late-October. The physical abilities test will measure your ability to perform the duties of a WDP I. The specific test stations will measure the following:
• strength to lift and carry materials, tools, or equipment weighing up to 90 pounds, distances up to 30 feet
• hand-eye coordination sufficient to use tools in both hands at the same time in order to increase efficiency
• skill to use tools and equipment efficiently utilizing proper technique and without injury
The test stations are: (1) lift and carry cement bags and a mechanical split T; (2) maneuver a pavement breaker; (3) disassemble and reassemble equipment; (4) lift and carry meter boxes; and (5) shoveling. Each test is rated on a pass/fail basis. Candidates must pass all test stations to be placed on the hiring list.
6. Successful candidates will be placed on the hiring list and invited to participate in a hiring interview panel to determine final rank and hiring order to fill the current vacancies, as well as others occurring over the next 12 to 24 months.
7. The probation period for this position is 12 months. For those holding civil service status the probation period is 6 months.
8. All employment offers are conditional, pending the results of a Live Scan background screening. All selected finalists must participate in the Live Scan background screening process to remain in consideration for EBMUD employment.
ADDITIONAL RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:
For additional recruitment resources, such as test preparation and informational videos, applicants are strongly encouraged to visit: https://www.ebmud.com/jobs/job-resources
Supplemental Information
As the first step in the selection process, responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted online with the regular EBMUD application. Please provide thorough, accurate descriptions of assignments you have personally performed.