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Engineering Technician IV

Tacoma Public Utilities
Tacoma, WA Full Time
POSTED ON 5/15/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/12/2026
Position Description

The City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities are establishing an eligible list for Engineering Technician IV. This list will be used for one year to fill vacancies. Tacoma Power's Transmission and Distribution division currently has a vacancy.

Engineering Technician IV perform, oversee and/or direct a variety of advanced technical engineering and logistical support activities related to the design, maintenance and improvement of City systems and facilities in either the civil, electrical, environmental, or mechanical disciplines. They coordinate and communicate activities with City departments, outside agencies and the public. Depending on assignment this position may lead and direct the activities of Engineering Technicians I, II, III and contractors.

The Following Departments Hire Engineering Technicians IV

Tacoma Power, Transmission & Distribution – This workgroup is responsible for administering Autodesk products; managing engineering drawings, developing preliminary, for construction, and as built drawings that support overhead and underground primary distribution and transmission systems. This workgroup is also responsible for maintaining the Tacoma Power GIS data that is utilized by the Outage Management System, Dispatch, Line Crews, Asset Management, Engineering, and SAP.

Environmental Services, Asset Management and Technology Services – This workgroup is responsible for long-range planning of utility assets and for developing and maintaining a variety of applications and databases. The core function of the Engineering Technicians in this group is to create detailed 3D models and 2D drawings of wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste facilities using AutoCAD Plant 3D along with related software tools such as Revisit, FARO AsBuilt, Navisworks, EdgeWise, and Elecdes.

Environmental Services, Engineering/Capital Delivery – This workgroup is responsible for designing and delivering all capital projects for the wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste utilities. The core function of Engineering Technicians in this workgroup is to produce engineering drawings for construction projects utilizing AutoCAD Civil 3D.

Public Works – This work group perform, oversee and/or direct a variety of technical engineering and logistical support activities related to the design, maintenance and improvement of City systems and facilities in either the civil, electrical, environmental, or mechanical disciplines. Coordinate and communicate activities with City departments, outside agencies and the public. May lead and direct the activities of Engineering Technicians I, II, Ill and contractors.

Responsibilities May Include

  • Prepare and review design drawings and related plans
  • Assemble bid specifications, prepare cost estimates and material requirements, and recommend approval of contractor submittals for minor department projects; assist in the approval of contractor installation of projects
  • Lead other Engineering Technicians as assigned; direct and participate in various field studies; analyze information and prepare reports on findings
  • Communicate with engineers, contractors, vendors, suppliers and other City personnel to coordinate work activities, to order, price and purchase materials and equipment and to exchange technical information
  • Review changes in project plans, schedules and financial arrangements, and recommend approval, as appropriate
  • Prepare, organize, update and distribute documents and publications
  • Advise and confer with the general public concerning complaints or requests about City programs or activities; investigate problems and recommend appropriate corrective action
  • Conduct fieldwork as necessary to carry out assigned functions
  • Monitor materials inventory system; inspect and approve new materials for use
  • Prepare annual budget estimates for operation activities and material supply
  • Perform advanced technical and sub professional engineering work and management practices
  • Serve on technical sub-committees, user groups, and task forces, as requested, and be responsible for the compilation and coordination of information
  • Develop notices, mailers, and advertisements and prepare data summary presentation graphics, charts and maps, which are utilized for public hearings
  • Coordinate training and provide technical assistance and guidance to subordinate staff as assigned
  • Design and coordinate maintenance programs for computer aided design workstations

Qualifications

  • Graduation from high school or equivalent and eight years’ experience in sub-professional engineering related work OR
  • Six years’ experience in sub-professional engineering related work and completion of a recognized engineering technology vocational education program which includes computer-aided drafting training OR
  • Six years’ experience in sub-professional engineering related work and two-years relevant college-level engineering course work

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Personal Protective Equipment and Safety Certificate as required with maintenance thereafter

Knowledge & Skills

  • Principles and practices of engineering plans, specifications, design, construction, maintenance, and operations of utility systems, methods, equipment, and materials
  • Applicable laws, codes, policies, requirements, procedures, standards, permits, applications, and health and safety regulations
  • Interpersonal skills, using tact, patience and courtesy
  • Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
  • Methods, techniques and instruments used in engineering, drafting, computerized drafting, surveying, and data collection
  • Plan, organize, coordinate, and assign work crew activities
  • Determine and coordinate the installation of City plans related to activities within the public right-of-way
  • Investigate problems involving public improvements within the right-of-way and related matters and determine appropriate corrective action
  • Read and interpret engineering plans and specifications
  • Prepare or detail technical engineering drawings and sketches
  • Work independently with little direction
  • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
  • Read, interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
  • Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
  • Compile information, maintain records and prepare reports
  • Operate a variety of assigned equipment and machinery

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Apply

All interested individuals must apply online and attach a resume and cover letter that includes major responsibilities and accomplishments related to the position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their supplemental question responses reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts as part of the civil service examination. Applicants who pass the examination will be placed on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration.

Examination Process

This is a competitive selection process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their job application and responses to the Supplemental Questions #5-9 evaluated and scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test for this position. 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.

Appointment is subject to references and passing a background check. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Local 17. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

A Commitment to Equity & Diversity

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. 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.

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: $46.09 - $56.04

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

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.

Salary : $46 - $56

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