Situated at the northern tip of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz enjoys a moderate climate year-round and is surrounded by a beautiful coastline and a greenbelt of mountains and redwood forests. With an estimated population of 62,864 according to the 2013 Census, Santa Cruz is the largest city in Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz is home to the University of California, Santa Cruz, a premier research institution and educational hub.  

TOP REASONS TO WORK IN THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ

The Place

The City of Santa Cruz City Hall is located in the heart of beautiful downtown Santa Cruz. The community has a sense of place and history with a small-town atmosphere.

The People

The City of Santa Cruz is the third largest employer in Santa Cruz. The City is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. The workforce is comprised of approximately 700 full-time, 50 part-time, and about 450 seasonal workers. One of the highlights of working for the City of Santa Cruz is the opportunity to work with an extraordinary team of people committed to delivering excellence in all services provided.

The Perks

The City offers competitive compensation, benefits, and retirement plans. City-paid benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, long-term disability, and an Employee Assistance Program, which includes free counseling, legal, and financial services. The City supports employee health and wellness! City employees can participate in a variety of free healthy and fun lunchtime activities, including yoga, meditation, disc golf, ping pong, jogging, walking, basketball, and arts and crafts. 

The Projects

Employees have the opportunity to work on meaningful and engaging projects within a community of active and engaged citizens. City projects are complex and challenging due to the community’s unique history and location, its demographics and growing population, and its natural resources and environmental constraints.

Industry: Government Administration
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees

City of Santa Cruz

Savvy Admin PROD

**The Position**

**The current vacancies are for Wharf Construction Worker in the Parks and Recreation Department. ** Skilled construction workers sought to work on the longest wooden pier in the United States! Enjoy the epic coastline view and the marine wildlife while maintaining the historic Santa Cruz Wharf that extends a half mile into the beautiful Monterey Bay.

The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular and Temporary Wharf Construction Worker vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

**Recruitment #26-059**

**APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:**

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

- On Thursday, 04/30/26 recruitment will close.All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:

- Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.

- Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

- Week of 05/04 and 05/11/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 05/22/26.

-  Week of 05/25 and 06/01/26: I nterviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

**Basic Function**

Under supervision, the Wharf Construction Worker performs a wide variety of skilled and highly skilled construction and maintenance work on the Municipal Wharf.

**Distinguishing Characteristics**

This classification is distinguished from the next higher classification of Wharf Construction Crew Leader in that the latter is the working lead responsible for coordinating and directing a crew of workers.

**Typical Duties**

(May include, but are not limited to those duties listed below.)

- Acts as a crew member on major wharf construction projects such as the removing and replacing of pilings, joisting and decking, concrete and asphalt paving, setting up of special wharf scaffolding, and staging for performing related construction and maintenance operations.

- Operates a pile driver to lift, set and drive pilings.

- Operates boats and other water-craft including barges to transport materials and in certain emergency situations as required.

- Performs electrical work to install and repair wharf street- lights, navigation lights, fire alarms and electrical services to wharf buildings.

- Performs plumbing work to repair and maintain water, fire and sewer services to wharf facilities, inspect mains for leaks and repair where feasible, repair and maintain the underdeck fire suppression system and other plumbing fixtures.

- Performs other maintenance carpentry such as the repair of doors, locks, windows and ceilings on wharf structures.

- Performs street repair and patching relative to construction activities including operation of concrete saws and pneumatic hammers.

- Performs finish concrete work.

- Operates arc and acetylene welding equipment in cutting and joining operations and in fabricating and repairing tools and accessories as necessary to the completion of various projects.

- Operates various pieces of equipment such as truck and trailer combinations, forklift, cranes and various sized trucks.

- Performs scuba diving for underwater wharf construction and maintenance work and in certain emergency operations as required.

- Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

**WORKING CONDITIONS**

Position requires climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, working overhead, walking, balancing, twisting and standing in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires hand dexterity, acute vision, and the repetitive use of both hands and feet when operating assigned equipment and vehicles. The ability to lift and carry up to 100 lbs is required. The incumbent in this position works outdoors in all weather conditions, with constant noise, on slippery uneven surfaces, and only occasionally works indoors. The incumbent may be required to perform underwater construction work while wearing a wetsuit and utilizing scuba gear. Additionally, the incumbent may be exposed to dust, fumes, grease, and wood treatment chemicals including coppergreen, creosote, and lap cement. May be exposed to biohazards and/or hazardous chemicals. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to climb ladders or scaffolding, work below ground/deck level or in confined spaces, and around machinery and moving vehicles. The incumbent will be required to operate truck, tractor, motor vehicle, forklift, motor boats and barges, and land based or water borne heavy equipment. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

**Minimum Qualifications**

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

**Education And Experience**

- High School diploma or equivalent; and

- Four (4) years of journey level experience in construction building trades to include at least one (1) year of plumbing, carpentry, and experience operating heavy equipment.

**Knowledge:**

- Building construction, plumbing and mechanical trades, and related tools and equipment.

-  Effectively and safely operate heavy construction equipment such as a front loader, backhoe, forklift, and truck and trailer combination.

- Power tool use and safety protocol, specifically chainsaw use and precision cutting.

- Ocean environment and conditions.

- Knowledge of boats and boat protocols.

**Skills:**

- Operating boats in open ocean.

**Abilities:**

- Follow written and verbal instructions.

- Operate a variety of heavy construction equipment and water-craft.

- Act in a courteous and effective manner when dealing with the general public.

- Attitude conducive to working as a team member on a work crew.

- Willingness to perform work both above and below an open ocean wharf facility.

- Willingness to work in and under water.

- Physical stamina to perform heavy labor work and scuba diving as required.

**Licenses and Certificates**

- Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.

- California Class A driver’s license with doubles and triple endorsement may be required based on departmentally determined operational need at the time of hire or at any time during employment.

- Required to obtain National Association of Underwater Instructors (N.A.U.I.) or equivalent certification as a scuba diver within the first six months of employment as a condition of successful completion of the probationary period.

**Desirable Qualifications**

- Possession of National Association of Underwater Instructors (N.A.U.I.) or equivalent certification as a scuba diver.

- Possession of a valid California Class A driver’s license.

- Ability to erect and dismantle scaffolding.

**Career Ladder**

- Wharf Supervisor

- Wharf Construction Crew Leader

-  Wharf Construction Worker

Wharf Construction Worker (Multiple Vacancies)

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