Santa Clara County is hiring: Utility Worker in San Jose

Under supervision, performs a variety of building and grounds cleaning, maintenance, and repair tasks.

NOTE: Candidates who meet the employment standards will be invited to take a written examination administered on‑site. The written exam is tentatively scheduled for the week of January 26, 2026.

Custody Health Services (CHS) provides medical, mental health, and dental services to patients in custody at the 3 County Jail facilities: Main Jail, Elmwood and Juvenile Detention facilities. CHS provides on‑site routine and urgent/emergent medical services at both Main Jail and Elmwood adult detention facilities in Santa Clara County. Health care of incarcerated men and women includes care of acute and chronic illness as well as preventative and specialty care. CHS also runs a 39 single‑bed acute psychiatric inpatient housing unit at the Main Jail. The services are provided for adult male and female patients who require acute inpatient services for stabilization. Juvenile Custody Health provides integrated medical services to justice involved youth housed in Juvenile Hall and in James Ranch to include comprehensive pediatric medical, mental health, and dental care.

Selected candidate(s) must be able to work in a locked facility, which requires passing a background check for security clearance.

• Moves and arranges non‑modular furniture, such as tables, chairs, filing cabinets, and office equipment;
• Moves and stages modular office furniture for assembly by others, or for disposal;
• Carries, stacks, and labels incoming cartons;
• Transports boxes and records;
• May drive a box truck, van, pick‑up, or Class C truck with or without hydraulic lift, scissor lift, or forklift;
• Hauls materials, supplies, trash, and cuttings; loads and unloads trucks;
• Works on ledges, scaffolding, scissor lift, or extension ladders;
• Changes light bulbs and tubes;
• Washes exterior and interior windows;
• Assists skilled craftsworkers;
• Performs minor maintenance to mechanical equipment and building fixtures (such as replacing washers and broken switch plates);
• Makes minor repairs and adjustments to chairs and filing cabinets;
• Cleans mechanical rooms, filters, grease traps, hoods, and exhaust vents;
• Digs post holes and erects fencing;
• Performs rough repair carpentry work;
• Assembles and paints benches, tables, and equipment; touches up paint to interior and exterior of buildings;
• Cuts, waters, rakes, and weeds grass, plants, shrubs, and trees;
• May assist in the repair and installation of sprinkler systems;
• Operates power tools (i.e., mowers, leaf blowers, pressure washers, edgers, tillers, aerators, sprayers, drills, and vacuums);
• Sweeps sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots;
• Picks up trash and debris; empties outdoor trash cans and picks up outdoor litter;
• May clean or clear items dumped on County property (i.e., clothing, bedding, furniture, appliances, food items, etc.);
• Mounts shelving into established track systems;
• May issue parking citations on County property;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs related work as required.

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The following knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to six (6) months of experience in the maintenance of building or grounds.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid California driver’s license upon appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County Driver’s Authorization.
• Some positions may require passing an extensive background check.

Knowledge of:

• Custodial practices and supplies;
• Safe lifting and carrying practices;
• Ladder usage and ladder safety;
• Common gardening and safety practices;
• Common hand, power, and garden tools;
• Computer use and common office software applications.

Ability to:

• Lift and carry heavy objects;
• Work on ladders to perform required maintenance and repair tasks;
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Perform minor maintenance to mechanical equipment and building furniture and fixtures;
• Perform rough carpentry and painting tasks;
• Operate, service, and repair a variety of power tools and equipment.