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Sewer Equipment Operator

City of Tacoma
City of Tacoma Salary
Tacoma, WA Full Time
POSTED ON 11/4/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 12/3/2026
Position Description

The City of Tacoma's Environment and Public Works 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.

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 1LunchHoursWeek 2LunchHoursMonday-Thursday30 Minutes

Unpaid 9Monday-Thursday30 Minutes

Unpaid9*Friday30 Minutes

Unpaid 8*Friday30 Minutes

Unpaid0

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

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

Application Process

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching 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.

Veterans and or qualifying spouses/domestic partners wishing to be considered for veteran's preference must attach a copy of DD214 member copy 4 (proof of military discharge form) at the time of application to be considered for veteran's preference.

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.

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.

Supplemental Questions

This is a competitive selection process. Applicants will be required to respond to written questions outlining their experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to Supplemental Questions #9 to #11 reviewed and scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test. These questions will be scored based on the information provided. 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. DO NOT respond with ‘see resume’ in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a failing score. Providing false information will result in disqualification.

Applicants invited to interview may also participate in a practical skills assessment to demonstrate their ability to operate sewer equipment.

Accommodations: We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during this process, please contact Human Resources at (253) 591-5400.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $39.24 - $43.26

Annual Salary: $81,619.20 - $89,980.80

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Salary : $39 - $43

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