Navigating the transition from military service to a civilian career can be challenging, but the City of San Diego is committed to making it easier for veterans and transitioning service members. This job search resource is designed to help you explore career opportunities within the City, offering guidance on applying, translating military experience into civilian qualifications, and accessing veteran hiring preferences. Whether you're seeking stability, growth, or a way to continue serving your community, this tool will help you take the next step with confidence.
Instrumentation and Control Technician Trainee
Learns to design, install, test, modify, and maintain digital and logic circuitry, and programmable logic controllers for water and wastewater treatment processes. Requires completion of 30 semester/45 quarter units in Telemetry, Electronics, Electrical, or Instrumentation, or one year of relevant experience. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Investigation Support Manager
Develops and directs pre-trial investigations for City liability cases, sets policies, and supervises investigative staff. Requires a Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience, including two years of supervisory experience.
Conducts evaluations and redesigns of irrigation systems city-wide, ensuring conformance to water conservation standards, and performs complex irrigation repairs. Requires one year of relevant experience and a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Conducts professional level physical and chemical analyses on water, wastewater, and other substances, and assists in more complex chemical tests in a State certified chemical laboratory. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field with specific coursework, or four years of full-time laboratory technician experience in an environmental laboratory, including chemical analysis and use of analytical instruments.
Performs professional engineering work in planning, design, and inspection of routine projects or phases of more complex projects, including construction inspection and plan review. Requires a degree in Civil Engineering or a related field, an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate, or registration as a professional Civil, Structural, or Traffic Engineer. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Junior Engineer-Electrical
Performs professional electrical or electronic engineering work, including design, plan review, and inspection to ensure compliance with plans and specifications. Requires a degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or a related field, an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate, or registration as a Professional Electrical or Control System Engineer. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Junior Engineer-Fire Protection
Reviews fire protection plans and performs inspections to ensure compliance with fire safety codes and standards. Requires a degree in Fire Protection Engineering or a related field, an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate, or registration as a professional Fire Protection Engineer. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Junior Engineer-Mechanical
Performs professional-level mechanical engineering tasks, including inspecting equipment, designing specialized equipment, and checking building plans for code compliance. Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, EIT Certificate, or registration as a Professional Mechanical Engineer. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Performs subprofessional engineering tasks including field surveys, site inspections, data logging, and material sampling. Requires one year of related experience or relevant certifications/degrees. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Assists in planning and environmental research, analysis, and report writing for various planning studies and projects. Requires a Bachelor’s degree with specific coursework in relevant fields and possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Assists in the preparation and processing of real property valuations, leases, acquisitions, and disposals, and performs routine Property Agent duties under supervision. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in real estate, business management, or a related field.
Laboratory Assistant, laboratory glassware, media preparation, chemical analyses, microbiological analyses, sterilization, autoclave, drying ovens, media dispensing, laboratory maintenance, routine laboratory tasks.
Performs sub-professional chemical, bacteriological, or forensic evidence testing, including sample collection and analysis of water, sewage, and industrial waste. Requires 14 semester units in relevant sciences or two years of laboratory experience. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Performs routine, unskilled construction and maintenance tasks including lifting, digging, operating pneumatic equipment, and assisting in street and pipeline repairs. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License. No specific education or experience required.
Performs less complex general maintenance and repair work at City lakes, including cleaning picnic areas, repairing boats, and groundskeeping. Checks permits, collects fees, and provides information to the public. No specific education or experience required. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Responds to accidents or injuries at lakes, performs semiskilled maintenance work, operates grounds maintenance equipment, and may lead less experienced employees. Requires six months as a Lake Aide I or one year of general maintenance experience at a lake, reservoir, or public park, CPR and First Aid certification, and a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Patrols lakes and reservoirs to enforce security and safety regulations, issues misdemeanor citations, assists with aquatic events and emergencies, and performs maintenance. Requires an EMT certification, completion of a P.O.S.T. Penal Code 832 course, a valid California Class C Driver License, swimming ability, and physical strength to lift up to 50 pounds.
lans and administers the City Lakes Recreation Program, including fishing, hunting, boating, and managing reservoir facilities and watershed lands. Requires a Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in lakes recreation program administration, including managing water facilities. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Serves as chief of a survey party for complex surveying projects, performs calculations, and prepares legal documents. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Land Surveying or Civil Engineering/GIS with surveying coursework and two years of journey-level surveying experience, or a Land Surveyor-in-Training certificate and two years of journey-level experience. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Plans, assigns, coordinates, and reviews the work of field survey parties, prepares legal descriptions, and performs complex land surveying calculations. Requires a Bachelor's Degree in Land Surveying or Civil Engineering/GIS with specific coursework and three years of journey-level land surveying experience, or a Land Surveyor-in-Training certificate and three years of journey-level experience. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Landfill Equipment Operator
Operates complex heavy industrial equipment at City landfills, including bulldozers, motor scrapers, and compactors to move, cover, and compact refuse. Requires one year of experience operating specific heavy equipment or two years with medium-class equipment, or equivalent City experience. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Latent Print Examiner Aide
Performs routine analyses and comparisons of latent prints, prepares and maintains examination logs, and testifies in court on routine cases. Requires completion of specific fingerprinting coursework or an Associate’s Degree in a forensic or physical science, and 100 hours of latent print processing experience. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver License.
Performs routine examination of latent finger, palm, and foot prints, prepares court demonstration materials, and testifies on routine cases. Requires one year of experience as a Forensic Specialist and completion of 80 hours of specific fingerprinting coursework. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Performs varied, difficult, and complex examination of latent prints, gives expert testimony in court, and consults with prosecutors on presenting evidence. Requires one year of experience in latent print comparison and identification, including testifying as an expert witness. Must possess a letter of court acceptance as a qualified expert and a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Latent Print Examiner III
Provides technical expertise in latent print analysis, performs complex latent print examinations, and leads professional laboratory personnel. Requires 80 hours of fingerprint identification training or an Associate’s Degree in forensic or physical science, and three years of professional experience analyzing latent prints. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
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