Sewer Worker

Sewer Worker

Salary

$32.45 - $37.56 Hourly

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

5010-26

Department

Environmental Services

Opening Date

10/29/2026

Closing Date

11/12/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

The City of Tacomas Environment and Public Works Department is recruiting for the position of Sewer Worker. The Sewer Worker classification is the entry-level class of the Sewer Worker series. Sewer Workers perform technical and physical work related to the construction, maintenance and repair of stormwater and sanitary sewer mains to sustain a continuing program of sewer system maintenance.

Sewer Workers maintain Tacomas municipal sanitary and surface water systems by:

• Installing, cleaning, and repairing sewer lines and storm drains of grease, roots, dirt and other debris with rodding and water pressure equipment.
• Assisting in the installation, construction, and repair of pipes and pipe connections, reinforce and shore trenches, and work in confined spaces and within traffic zones.
• Televising sewers and laterals; locating breaks in utility lines; inspects sewer lines for defects.
• Performing traffic control functions such as placing barricades, directing/flagging, re-routing traffic.
• Operates a variety of pneumatic, hydraulic, gas and hand powered tools, equipment and machinery related to duties.
• Cleaning & maintaining sewer lines, traps, lift stations, and operating related equipment including sewer/vacuum truck.
• Assisting with concrete street repair including: setting grades and forms, smoothing out, leveling and finishing.
• Using cold patch to fill potholes and make other road repairs.
• Utilizing proper safety measures and personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing job duties.
• Responding to utility emergencies while on-duty and during off-duty hours, including
• Frequent interactions with other City employees and the public.

Our Ideal Candidate/s are people with the following skills:

• Enthusiastic, cheerful and helpful team members
• Great customer service skills
• Excellent attendance
• Strong work ethic

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Outdoor environment; subject to noise, fumes, adverse weather conditions and driving from site to site; subject to emergency calls during off-duty hours.
• Position requires lifting heavy objects and climbing.
• An employee in this position is exposed to raw sewage, traffic and underground construction hazards.

Work Schedule

This classification is overtime eligible, and employees are subject to a 24-hour call-out response to emergencies. These positions are staffed as a 9/80 schedule, which is defined as follows: in a two-week pay period, four days at nine (9) hours, Monday - Thursday, and one eight (8) hour day, Friday, the first week, followed by four days at nine (9) hours, Monday - Thursday, each work day with a one-half (1/2) hour unpaid lunch, with the fifth day, Friday, off work, the second week.

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

• Or the reverse of Week 1 & Week 2

Qualifications

Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Desired Qualification:

• 1-year paid work experience performing general construction or repair work, which has included excavation, trenching, shoring activities or heavy physical labor
• Sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed above (also in the knowledge and skills section).

Licenses, Certifications and other Requirements:

• Valid Washington State Driver's License at time of appointment, with maintenance thereafter.
• Depending on position, a Valid Washington State Class A Commercial Drivers License with N (tanker) endorsement within nine (9) months of appointment into the classification with maintenance, thereafter, may be required (This is not a requirement for incumbents appointed into the classification prior to April 26, 2022)
• Traffic Control Flagging, CPR and first-aid certificates will be required prior to the completion of the probationary period with maintenance thereafter.

Knowledge & Skills

KNOWLEDGE:

• Methods, practices, procedures, and techniques of storm and sanitary sewer installation, repair, maintenance, and cleaning.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy. Health and safety regulations.
• Proper methods of storing equipment, materials, and supplies.

SKILLS:

• Learn storm and sanitary sewer main and lateral distribution and runoff lines.
• Perform heavy manual labor for extended periods.
• Operate various tools and related equipment.
• Operate trucks to perform sewer-related activities.
• Lift objects weighing up to 90 pounds.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others and the general public.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

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

At the City of Tacoma, were on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. Were 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 Tacomas geographic area. Downtowns Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and Americas 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 veterans preference must attach a copy of DD214 member copy 4 (proof of military discharge form) at the time of application to be considered for veterans 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 #13 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.

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: $32.45 - $37.56

Annual Salary: $67,496.00 - $78,182.80

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 age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 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.

01

The Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination process; accordingly, it should be completed carefully. It must be submitted with your application. Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application. Do not indicate "see resume" or copy unrelated content from your resume when answering these questions. Answer all information requested in each question. Failure to do so may result in rejection of your application. I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may cancel any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a high school diploma or the equivalent, such as a General Education Degree (GED) or home-schooling certification?

• Yes
• No

03

This position requires the successful candidate to have a valid Washington State Drivers License at time of appointment, with maintenance afterwards.

Do you, or will you, have a valid Washington State Drivers License at time of appointment if you are selected for this job?

• Yes
• No

04

Please check the boxes of all of the below desired qualifications that you possess. Please note, a response of "None of the above" does not disqualify anyone from meeting the qualifications for this position.

• 1 year of paid work experience performing general construction or repair work which has included excavation, trenching, shoring activities or heavy physical labor
• High school graduate or equivalent, such as a General Education Degree or homeschool graduate
• None of the above

05

Individuals in the position are exposed to the outdoor environment, noise, fumes, heavy lifting of objects and climbing, confined space entry, adverse weather conditions and exposure to raw sewage, traffic and underground construction hazards. Please check Yes to acknowledge that you are aware of the working conditions.

• Yes
• No

06

Candidates who are given a Conditional Job Offer must first pass a physical assessment test as a condition to hire. The test will include: 45 lb upright row, 100 lb squats, 45 lb shoulder press, and aerobic bicycling. Please check Yes to acknowledge that you are aware of the assessment and that you must pass this assessment as a condition of employment.

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have any of the following? Please check all that apply. Please note, a response of "None of the these" does not disqualify anyone from meeting the qualifications for this position. Additional training is offered by the City

• CDL class A with tanker endorsement
• Confined space training
• Flagging experience
• Forklift experience
• None of these

08

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING TEST:

Questions #9-13 are the experience and training test that will be used to establish the eligibility list. These questions will be scored by subject matter experts who will not have access to any of your application materials, and will provide scores based solely upon your answers to the questions. Your answers must stand on their own merit. Please DO NOT RESPOND WITH "SEE RESUME" in lieu of answering this question, as raters will not have access to your resume or application, and this will result in a score of 0 points and you will fail the test. Your score on the experience and training test will ONLY reflect your response to the questions asked.

Please indicate "Yes" that you have read and understand the instructions for questions #9-13.

• Yes
• No

09

In detail, please describe your experience performing maintenance, repair, and cleaning storm and sewer lines. Please include types of equipment/machinery used, duties performed; also indicate if work was performed independently or as part of a crew. If you do not have experience, respond with N/A.

10

Please check the boxes of all of the below listed tools and equipment that you have training on and verifiable work experience operating.

• CCTV inspection equipment (assist with placement)
• Curb Saw/Concrete Saw
• Gas Powered Tamper
• Shovels, rakes, picks, sledges
• Power tools, cut-off saws, grinders, chainsaws
• Forklifts
• None of the above

11

In detail, please describe any experience you have performing manual labor or working in the construction field. If you do not have experience, respond with N/A.

12

Please describe your experience working as a member of a team, detail your role and responsibilities on the team. If you do not have experience, respond with N/A.

13

Please describe your experience working with customers and/or providing services to clients (internal or external). What is your definition/idea of great customer service? If you do not have experience, respond with N/A.

14

How did you learn about this job opening?

• City of Tacoma webpage
• Internet search
• Word of mouth
• From a City of Tacoma employee
• Professional Organization
• Association of Washington Cities website
• Union sharing the information
• From a community organization
• Other

15

If you selected "other", "professional organization" or "community organization" for question #15, please tell us how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your information will help us in our recruitment for future job openings.

Required Question

Employer City of Tacoma

Address Human Resources Department

747 Market Street

Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone 253-591-5400

Website http://www.tacoma.gov