Sewer Equipment Operator

Position Description

The City of Tacoma's Environmental Services Department invites you to apply to join our team as a Sewer Equipment Operator. We believe everything we do supports healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound, leaving a better Tacoma for all.

The Sewer Equipment Operator is a specialized position that requires knowledge and work experience in a variety of sewer maintenance equipment and vehicles that are used to clean, vacuum, and flush sewer lines and catch basins.

If the below list of personal traits sounds like you, then you are just the type of person we are looking for to join our team as a Sewer Equipment Operator.

• Excellent attendance
• Enjoy Swing Shift work schedule
• Enjoy working both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather conditions
• Willingness to learn
• Self motivated
• Great customer service
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Enjoy physically demanding and diverse job tasks

The City of Tacoma posts separate Equipment Operator job announcements for each Department. Recruitment for all of these Equipment Operator jobs is conducted separately; we welcome and encourage you to apply for any and all positions you meet the minimum qualifications of, for hiring consideration in each Department.

Essential Functions:

• Load and prepare trucks and equipment according to crew assignment. Transport workers and a variety of equipment, tools and materials to and from assigned job sites.
• Clean, service and maintain assigned trucks and equipment in safe working condition.
• Communicate with the public regarding sewer-related complaints; respond to and resolve emergencies as assigned.
• Assist sewer crew workers as needed in the performance of various sewer maintenance and repair duties.
• Set up work area and equipment as needed; set up traffic warning devices according to recognized safety procedures.
• Assess sewer systems using a variety of electronic technologies and equipment.
• Direct assigned personnel or crew to safely complete tasks.
• Work safely and cooperatively with co-workers and the public.

Other Functions:

• Maintain a variety of records, logs and lists, including completion of daily work orders/notifications, truck sheets and mobile dispatch technology.
• Maintain an effective working knowledge of the City's sewer lines and locations.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Position requires lifting heavy objects, climbing and pushing up to 90 pounds.
• Outdoor environment; subject to adverse weather conditions.
• Required to respond to emergency call-outs during off duty hours.
• Employees in this position may be subject to driving from site to site, heavy traffic and extreme weather conditions; fumes, raw sewage, confined space and excavation hazards, prolonged periods of noise and potentially hazardous materials.

Work Schedule
This classification is overtime eligible, and employees are subject to a 24-hour call-out response to emergencies. The positions follow a 9/80 schedule, defined as follows: during a two-week pay period, employees work four days at nine (9) hours each, Monday to Thursday, and one eight (8) hour day on Friday in the first week. The second week consists of four days at nine (9) hours each, Monday to Thursday, with a one-half (1/2) hour unpaid lunch break each workday, and Friday is a non-working day.
Week 1 Lunch Hours Week 2 Lunch Hours Monday-Thursday 30 Minutes
Unpaid 9 Monday-Thursday 30 Minutes
Unpaid 9 *Friday 30 Minutes
Unpaid 8 *Friday 30 Minutes
Unpaid 0

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

An equivalent combination to:

Graduation from high school or GED

AND

Two (2) years as a sewer worker or equivalent experience, including training or experience operating specialized sewer equipment

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS*

In addition to minimum qualifications:
*Experience in repairing, maintaining, and cleaning storm and sewer lines.
*Work experience operating dump trucks, Vactor trucks and back cutters.
*Willing to work Swing Shift work schedule.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid Washington State Class A Commercial driver's license with N (tanker) endorsement at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter. Position is subject to random CDL drug testing.

Knowledge & Skills

• Operation, care and maintenance of sewer maintenance trucks/equipment and accessories.
• Requirements of operating equipment in a safe manner.
• Applicable traffic laws, ordinances and rules.
• Maintain routine records and prepare routine reports using proper record-keeping techniques.
• Health and safety regulations.
• City's sewer system locations using GIS mapping and City of Tacoma GovMe/ESRI websites.
• Safely operate a variety of sewer maintenance trucks and equipment.
• Operate, service, and make minor repairs on equipment.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Develop and maintain interpersonal relationship skills.
• Maintain records and reports including wireless devices and electronic record keeping.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Quickly learn City streets and sewer system locations.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing using tact, patience and courtesy.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Application Process

Interested individual should complete the online application and attach a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

Applicants who are eligible for veterans scoring criteria (Veterans Preference) MUST attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4 (proof of military discharge form) at time of application to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference points.

Examination Process:
This is a competitive selection process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to the Supplemental Questions #9-11 reviewed and scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test. It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers, including your roles in the position and key activities. Please DO NOT respond with "see resume" in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a failing score.

Applicants who pass the test will be placed on an Eligible List for potential interview and hiring consideration. Candidates invited to interview may also participate in a practical skills assessment to demonstrate their ability to operate sewer equipment.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Teamsters Local 313. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $37.36 - $41.18

Annual Salary: $77,708.80 - $85,654.40

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 3/20/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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