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.
The Assistant Property Agent performs property appraisals, acquisition, sales, leasing, and property management tasks of average difficulty. Duties include negotiating the acquisition of rights-of-way and agreements for the purchase, use, sale, lease, or exchange of real property and property rights; assisting in appraising real property; recommending rental rates and lease terms; preparing leases, deeds, rental and escrow agreements; conducting title searches; and inspecting City-owned property. This role typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and one year of full-time professional-level commercial real estate property transactional experience in areas such as appraisal, acquisitions, relocation, property management, sales, leasing, or brokerage. Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License is also required.
The Assistant Rate Analyst assists in performing public and private utility rate studies and analyses of average difficulty. Duties include reviewing applications for rate increases from City franchised companies, conducting studies and analyses, making recommendations on utility costs and services, developing rate spreads, proposing rate schedules and revisions, preparing comprehensive rate projects, giving testimony before Federal and State regulatory agencies, and preparing records and charts. This role typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and two years of full-time experience in engineering, administrative analysis, accounting, utility rate analysis, or a closely related field.
Assistant Recreation Center Director
The Assistant Recreation Center Director serves as the assistant director of a medium or large-sized recreation center, planning and implementing special events and recreational activities. Responsibilities include leading and training subordinate recreation staff, scheduling and assigning work, managing contracts, liaising with community groups and recreation councils, assisting with financial and accounting activities, maintaining financial records, organizing facility maintenance and security, resolving citizen complaints, and preparing reports. This role requires two years of recreation leadership experience or equivalent education and experience.
Assistant Reservoir Keeper
The Assistant Reservoir Keeper is responsible for operating, maintaining, and safeguarding a dam or reservoir and its surrounding recreational area. Duties include performing semi-skilled maintenance and repair work on various lake equipment and facilities, using hand and power tools for carpentry, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and painting tasks, assisting in the development of nature walks and interpretive programs, general landscaping, and grounds maintenance. The role also involves regulating reservoir water, checking and selling boat and fishing permits, answering public inquiries, maintaining roads and trails, patrolling the area to prevent trespassing, and leading the work of lake personnel. This position requires six months of relevant experience and a valid California Class C Driver's License, with a Grade D1 Water Distribution Operator Certificate needed within two years of hire.
The Assistant Trainer assists in the development, instruction, presentation, and evaluation of education, training, and staff development programs. Responsibilities include developing and evaluating technical training and educational courses, consulting with department employees on training and certification requirements, instructing employees on municipal, state, and federal regulations, and developing lesson plans, curricula, and training materials. The role involves conducting analytical studies, preparing reports, coordinating and recruiting instructors, and assembling training packages and job aids. This position requires a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education and one year of professional experience in developing or facilitating adult education or training programs, with additional specific qualifications in related fields. A valid California Class C Driver's License is also required.
Assistant Wastewater Plant Operator
The Assistant Wastewater Plant Operator assists in the operation of wastewater treatment or pump station equipment on an assigned shift. Responsibilities include operating and checking equipment such as pumps, valves, filters, and boilers, performing chemical and biological analyses, reading meters and gauges, maintaining operating logs, performing minor maintenance and repairs, and reporting equipment malfunctions. This role requires possession of a valid Grade I Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate or successful completion of the Grade II or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification examination, along with one year of experience in equipment maintenance or operational activities in a wastewater or large pump station facility. A valid California Class C Driver’s License is also required.
Assistant Water Distribution Operator
The Assistant Water Distribution Operator assists in monitoring and operating potable, recycled, and raw water distribution systems. Duties include operating valves and pumps, regulating flow and pressure, inspecting and calibrating equipment, taking and replacing chart readings, completing logs, verifying readings, collecting chemical residual data, and maintaining pump station equipment. This role requires six months of experience as a City of San Diego Water Distribution Operator Trainee or in monitoring and operating a metropolitan potable water distribution system through a SCADA system, or one year of experience in constructing, maintaining, or repairing hydraulic control equipment. A valid Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate from the State of California and a valid California Class C Driver’s License are also required.
Assistant Water Plant Operator
The Assistant Water Plant Operator assists in operating designated potable water treatment plant equipment under the lead of a Water Plant Operator. Responsibilities include operating pumps, valves, and generators; regulating water flow; performing water quality tests; adjusting chemical feed machinery; backwashing filters; recording readings and maintaining logs; ensuring plant cleanliness and security; and assisting with plant tours. This role requires a valid Grade T3 Water Treatment Operator’s Certificate from the State of California Department of Health Services and a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Associate Budget Development Analyst
The Associate Budget Development Analyst performs complex budgetary duties in reviewing, developing, and preparing the City-wide budget. Responsibilities include analyzing and monitoring departmental budgets, projecting revenues and expenditures, developing mitigation plans, reviewing fiscal actions, utilizing SAP Public Budget Formulation system, and making policy recommendations. This role requires a Bachelor's degree and two years of related professional experience.
The Associate Chemist supervises a major section of a State-certified laboratory, performs complex chemical analyses and research, and oversees professional and technical staff. Responsibilities include developing and monitoring quality assurance procedures, designing experiments, standardizing analytical techniques, operating advanced analytical equipment, preparing technical reports, training staff, and ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines. This role requires two years of relevant laboratory experience.
Associate Communications Engineer
The Associate Communications Engineer plans and supervises the design, review, and inspection of communications systems, performs complex communications systems planning and design, conducts special engineering research studies, and provides engineering assistance to the City’s electronic maintenance activities. Responsibilities include preparing specifications, cost estimates, conducting inspections, designing communications hardware, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, and assisting in budget preparation. This role requires three years of relevant communications engineering experience.
Associate Department Human Resources Analyst
The Associate Department Human Resources Analyst performs professional human resources work, including handling a variety of HR topics and programs, conducting EEO and disciplinary investigations, providing guidance and training to management and employees, and interpreting policies and procedures. Responsibilities also include developing HR-related programs, assisting with classification requests, acting as a department liaison, and preparing reports and correspondence.
The Associate Economist performs journey-level analyses to determine the economic impact of urban growth, develops econometric models for revenue forecasting, interprets economic data, evaluates tax forms, and conducts cost-benefit analyses of capital improvement programs. Responsibilities include projecting economic conditions and their relationship to the City's financial condition, facilitating bond financing, and preparing reports for the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and Planning Commission.
The Associate Engineer - Civil plans and supervises professional engineering work in construction inspection, plan review, development, design engineering, and engineering planning, and serves as a project manager for complex engineering projects. Responsibilities include preparing contract documents, cost estimates, supervising field inspections, and coordinating with various departments and agencies.
Associate Engineer-Corrosion
The Associate Engineer - Corrosion plans, designs, and evaluates corrosion prevention systems for water and wastewater utilities systems. Responsibilities include preparing engineering designs, conducting soil tests, evaluating protective coatings, managing consultant services, and performing failure analyses of metal structures.
Associate Engineer-Electrical
The Associate Engineer - Electrical plans and supervises field and office work in the design, review, and inspection of electrical systems. Responsibilities include preparing specifications and contract documents, supervising field inspections, conducting electrical design work, and coordinating with various departments and agencies.
Associate Engineer-Fire Protection
The Associate Engineer - Fire Protection reviews complex development projects for compliance with fire protection standards, advises on fire and life safety issues, performs site inspections, and leads professional staff in fire protection plan reviews and engineering work. This role requires three years of professional fire protection engineering experience and a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Associate Engineer-Mechanical
The Associate Engineer - Mechanical plans and supervises the work of professional engineers in the design, review, and inspection of mechanical systems. Responsibilities include assigning work, approving engineering standards, performing field inspections, coordinating with contractors, and preparing budget estimates and reports.
Associate Engineer-Traffic
The Associate Engineer - Traffic plans and supervises a functional area of traffic engineering or transportation planning. Responsibilities include developing forecasting programs, designing traffic control plans, conducting traffic safety analyses, preparing traffic signal timing schedules, and coordinating with various departments and agencies.
Associate Management Analyst
The Associate Management Analyst performs complex budgetary, fiscal, organizational, and administrative studies, prepares and analyzes operating and capital improvement budgets, develops budget formulas, conducts crime pattern analyses, and prepares in-depth reports. This role requires two years of professional-level administrative, budgetary, or related experience and a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Associate Personnel Analyst
The Associate Personnel Analyst performs professional personnel work in position classification, compensation, recruiting, examining, and other human resources functions. Responsibilities include preparing examination announcements, conducting employment background investigations, developing job-related screening instruments, and providing advice on personnel issues.
The Associate Planner performs professional planning and environmental impact analysis and research. Responsibilities include collecting and analyzing planning data, preparing recommendations on land use and transportation plans, conducting development permit reviews, performing site inspections, and preparing environmental impact reports.
Associate Procurement Contracting Officer
The Associate Procurement Contracting Officer performs difficult procurement and contracting duties for operating departments, including preparing and reviewing requisitions, soliciting bids, conducting cost analysis, administering contracts, negotiating with vendors, and ensuring compliance with contractual requirements. This role requires two years of professional-level experience in purchasing and/or contracting.
The Associate Property Agent performs varied and difficult tasks related to property appraisals, acquisition, sales, leasing, and management, including negotiating agreements, appraising real property, preparing leases, examining titles, and inspecting properties for compliance. This role requires two years of full-time commercial real property experience.
The Auto Messenger I drives an automobile or light truck to perform routine messenger services, including picking up and delivering mail, making purchases from petty cash, and performing simple clerical duties. This position requires a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
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