Solid Waste Maintenance Technician I

Solid Waste Maintenance Technician I

Salary

$64,571.28 - $82,411.20 Annually

Location

Cathcart-8915 Cathcart Way, Snohomish, WA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-PWK9431R-OCT

Department

Public Works

Division

Public Works Solid Waste Operations

Opening Date

10/26/2026

Closing Date

11/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Advance your career with Snohomish County Public Works as a Solid Waste Maintenance Technician I! This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a tangible impact on keeping our community safe and clean by maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing solid waste stationary equipment and facilities.

If you thrive in an environment where you can creatively solve problems and you have a safety-first attitude, join our award-winning team today! This work is performed at our modern Solid Waste facilities, and you will be provided with everything you need including top-of-the-line tools, vehicles, and protective wear. This position also offers the opportunity to obtain a welder's certification by the Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO)!

As a Solid Waste Maintenance Technician I, you will perform various skilled maintenance, preventive maintenance, and general repair tasks to maintain the functionality and efficiency of seven (7) solid waste facilities across Snohomish County. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Maintaining and repairing solid waste gas, water, pneumatic, mechanical, and hydraulic systems.
• Performing complex maintenance and repair work independently or with assistance of assigned personnel.
• Using steel welding and cutting techniques to fabricate and repair metal parts.
• Performing general carpentry tasks to build and maintain structures, and plumbing work to repair broken pipes.

Successful candidates will have experience using various hand and power tools to fabricate, assemble, and install steel parts, wood, or concrete components. Familiarity and/or experience with using an oxyacetylene torch to cut steel, as well as use of stick and wire feed welders is required (expert level is not necessary). The ideal candidate will have demonstrated ability to repair or replace plumbing fixtures, water valves and lines/pipes, and perform general carpentry tasks.

Work Schedule & Training

This position will work Monday - Thursday 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. After two (2) years, there is an opportunity to promote to Solid Waste Maintenance Tech II after required training.

SELECTION PROCESS

• Complete and submit an on-line application. Provide detailed and complete responses to the four (4) supplemental essay questions at the end of the application.
• Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will advance to the next step of the screening process.
• A panel of subject matter experts will review and score candidates responses to the four (4) supplemental essay questions. Top scoring candidates will be invited to participate in an in-person operational proficiency test.
• During the operational proficiency test, candidates will be assessed on their ability to weld using Stick & MIG techniques, cut steel using an oxyacetylene torch, solder a copper pipe, and complete carpentry tasks (measurements & cutting).
• Following the operational proficiency test, top scoring candidates will be invited to participate in an in-person interview session.
• Professional reference checks will be conducted on the top scoring applicant following the interview sessions. Please provide three (3) current professional references on your application, to include your current supervisor.
• A conditional job offer will be extended, contingent on satisfactory results of a post-offer medical examination, Physical Abilities Test (PAT), and criminal background check.

Join Snohomish County Public Works and enjoy these perks:

• Contribute to shaping one of Washington's fastest growing counties
• Join an award-winning organization well known for excellence and commitment to high-quality public service
• Advancement opportunities
• Employee development and training opportunities
• Excellent medical, dental, and other benefits
• Earn a Pension! Start vesting for a Washington Department of Retirement System (DRS) PERS pension
• Security, stability, and a lifelong career!

About the Solid Waste Division

The Solid Waste Division oversees the disposal of garbage, hazardous materials, and recycling throughout Snohomish County. With three full-service facilities and an additional four neighborhood and special items facilities, the Division is focused on:

• Reducing overall waste from Snohomish County
• Promoting and emphasizing the reuse of items and recycling
• Handling household hazardous waste
• Providing garbage and recycling facilities for County residents
• Transferring garbage to a landfill and partnering with private vendors to handle recycled items

To learn more about the Solid Waste Division please visit: Solid Waste.

About Snohomish County Public Works Department

Snohomish County Public Works is responsible for more than 1,650 miles of county roads, 210 bridges and 202 traffic control signals, as well as processing nearly 600,000 tons of garbage per year. Its mission is to focus on safety and mobility while practicing fiscal responsibility and preserving the environment. Public Works has won numerous state and national honors for its work and is the largest department within Snohomish County government with approximately 550 employees plus seasonal staff. Its main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201.

Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks for more information about Snohomish County Public Works.

When joining Public Works, you will work in an environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement is highly encouraged and supported. We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a lifelong career at Snohomish County.

Benefits

Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family and will be invested in your success and growth. We are proud to offer an outstanding benefit package to employees and their dependents. We offer competitive wages; job flexibility and stability; pension opportunities; and employer paid ORCA cards. Snohomish County will be invested in your success and growth and offers the following benefits to our employees. Your salary is only part of your Total Compensation Package:

• Retirement: County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
• Medical benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plans with low deductibles. The county's contribution to this benefit is significant.
• Flexible work schedules for some positions.
• Career development training
• Sick leave: You will accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.
• Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.
• Holiday Pay: The County observes 11 paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.
• Benefits: The County offers a wide range of benefits including, medical, and dental, vision, life insurance, LTD, deferred compensation and more.
• Deferred Compensation: If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.
• Pay Increases: Each year you will be eligible for a step increase until you reach the top step.
• Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): Effective January 1, 2027, all six (6) step salary tables shall have a seventh (7th) step added to the top of each pay grade. Employees who have been at step 6 for a full year shall be placed at step 7 effective January 1, 2027.

About Snohomish County

Snohomish County, north of Seattle, is located in northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. The county has rich scenery, numerous activities and a thriving economy. Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.

Snohomish County the Future We Choose - video

For information about this job opportunity and posting, please email: SPW-Recruitment.

Job Duties

BASIC FUNCTION

To maintain solid waste facilities and grounds and to troubleshoot, repair and service a variety of solid waste gas, water, pneumatic, mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic equipment and systems. To fabricate wood and metal structures. To repair or replace plumbing fixtures, perform routine manual labor tasks and operate a variety of light and heavy equipment as directed.

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Troubleshoot, service and maintain basic hydraulic and mechanical systems on solid waste compaction units and other stationary equipment. Perform routine maintenance on hydraulic and mechanical devices including filter changes and adjustments for proper operation.
• Fabricate and repair metal structures using arc welder, wire feed welder and plasma cutter, and oxygen/acetylene torches.
• Fabrication of steel parts, wood, or concrete components or structures, including building painting, interior and exterior preservation, and installation of such structures or components.
• Perform general carpentry including rough and finishing work. General knowledge of the use of carpentry tools.
• Install or repair plumbing fixtures, water valves, water and waste lines.
• Operate heavy equipment including but not limited to backhoes, loaders and forklifts to dig up water, gas, and leachate pipelines, perform various repair projects and remove and install equipment and parts.
• May perform a variety of routine grounds maintenance tasks such as mowing, edging and trimming lawns, watering and weeding flower beds, cutting, splitting, and stacking wood, raking, pick and shovel work; may operate a chain saw, edger, power mower, trimmer, etc.

STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES

• Performs related duties as required.
• Completes all safety training as required.

Minimum Qualifications

One (1) year of experience operating variety of equipment or hand/power tools in building maintenance or industrial mechanical work AND six (6) months experience or familiarity with steel welding and cutting; OR, any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Must pass job related proficiency tests for general mechanical, carpentry, plumbing and steel cutting and welding knowledge.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• A valid Washington State Driver's License is required for employment.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid First Aid/CPR Card within 6 months of employment.
• Employment will be conditioned on satisfactory results of a post-offer drug screen test, a medical examination, and a Physical Capacities Evaluation performed by a qualified healthcare professional selected by Snohomish County.

Because this job is considered safety sensitive, a drug screen test may be required prior to employment.

Job offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

Additional Information

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• a basic familiarity of the proper welding techniques and practices associated with welding on various grades of ferrous metal;
• a basic familiarity of the methods, practices, tools and materials involved in servicing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing hydraulic, mechanical and pneumatic systems and equipment;
• tools, materials, methods, and techniques associated with routine basic plumbing work;
• carpentry, and mechanical tools for maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair work;
• hazards associated with the work;
• safety rules and regulations;
• a variety of power tools, equipment, and vehicles.

Ability to:

• use a variety of hand and power tools skillfully and safely under a variety of conditions;
• perform basic small combustion engine repairs;
• read, interpret and apply relevant codes;
• read, interpret and work from a variety of blueprints, drawings, sketches and work orders;
• complete all work in an efficient and timely manner, including communicating ongoing progress with management and team members;
• conduct effective interpersonal and teamwork skills;
• be self motivated;
• effectively communicate orally and in writing;

Ability to:

• communicate courteously and professionally with the general public, supervisors, and co-workers;
• follow direction, advice and instruction from supervisor, lead person and co-workers on procedures, policies and repair plans.

SUPERVISION

The work is performed under limited supervision and the employee generally carries out assigned and unassigned tasks independently. The work may be spot checked for technical adequacy and conformance with work orders, plans and specifications.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Positions in this class typically require working both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather at work sites throughout the County. The work may involve working at considerable heights, in confined spaces or from ladders or scaffolding. Employees are exposed to a variety of hazards such as working around high voltage power lines, and are exposed to dust, fumes, methane gas, grease, and refuse. The work involves a variety of manual labor tasks requiring some strenuous physical effort such as lifting objects weighing in excess of fifty (50) pounds. Employees are required to wear County issued safety equipment.

The work involves rotating shift assignments and requires working evenings, weekends holidays and overtime as necessary.

Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.

EEO policy and ADA notice

Snohomish County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees that receive a regular appointment who work at least 20 hours a week.

Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/Benefits to learn more about the following benefits.

County Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement
• Basic Group Term Life Insurance/ Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Commuting Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Partners for Health Employee Wellness Program
• Leave & Holidays

Voluntary Benefits

• Deferred Compensation 457(b)
• Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance
• Additional Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Supplemental Individual Insurance Policies

Healthcare Premiums

• Regular full-time employees: If you work 35 or more hours per week, you will pay these monthly premiums for medical insurance. The County pays the monthly premiums for vision, dental, and basic life insurance.
• Regular part-time employees: If you work between 20 and 34 hours per week, you will pay pro-rated monthly premiums for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. The Countys contribution toward the premium for an employee in a regular part-time appointment will be pro-rated in an amount equal to the F.T.E. percentage the employee is assigned.

Note: Temporary employees, seasonal employees and paid interns may be eligible for medical insurance benefits. Review the Countys ACA Employer Shared Responsibility Guide to learn more.

01

Following are a series of supplemental questions designed to assess your job-related experience and qualifications. Please note that as part of the screening process your responses will be reviewed in conjunction with your general online application. The employment history and education detailed in your general application must validate/support your responses to the supplemental questions. If your responses cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the review/selection process.

A resume may be submitted, but it will not substitute for the general online application or supplemental questions; responses such as "see resume" or "see application" will not be considered.

Do you agree to answer each question truthfully and that your responses can be supported by your general application/work history and by your references?

• Yes
• No

02

How many months of experience or familiarity do you have with steel welding and cutting? This experience must be reflected in the "work experience" section of your application.

• No experience to less than six (6) months experience
• Six (6) months or more experience

03

How many years of experience do you have operating variety of equipment or hand/power tools in building maintenance or industrial mechanical work? This experience must be reflected in the "work experience" section of your application.

• No experience to less than one (1) year of experience
• One (1) or more years of experience

04

Do you have a valid Washington State Drivers License or the ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment?

• Yes, I have a valid Washington State Drivers License
• No, but I have the ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment
• No, I do not have the ability to obtain one

05

The following essay questions will be scored to determine whether or not you advance to the interview stage. You must score at least 70% to qualify for an interview. The top scoring candidates will be invited to an interview.

Do you understand that the scores on this portion of the supplemental will determine your eligibility and ranking for an interview, and all experience MUST be documented in your employment history?

• Yes
• No

06

Summarize your background and experience as it relates to the Solid Waste Maintenance Technician I position.

Specifically highlight your knowledge and experience in:

• using various hand and power tools to fabricate, assemble, and install steel parts, wood, or concrete components;
• repairing or replacing plumbing fixtures, water valves and lines/pipes; and
• performing general carpentry tasks.

07

Please describe your experience and/or familiarity with stick and MIG welding.

Provide specific details regarding your months or years of experience, the duties you preformed, and tools or techniques you used.

08

Please describe your experience and/or familiarity with using an oxyacetylene torch to cut steel.

Provide specific details regarding your months or years of the duties you preformed, and tools or techniques you used.

09

When performing steel welding and cutting tasks, what safety procedures should be followed to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you?

Please describe the specific safety equipment that you've used when completing this work in the past.

10

Are you authorized to work lawfully in the United States for Snohomish County? Note: If hired, a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be completed at the start of employment.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Snohomish County

Address 3000 Rockefeller Ave M/S 503

Everett, Washington, 98201

Phone (425) 388-3411

Website http://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/2553