Maintenance Technician I - Multiple Crews

Why Tumwater?
Tumwater is more than just a city, it’s a vibrant community rooted in history and filled with opportunity. Located at the southern gateway to the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, Tumwater offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-picture vision.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of Puget Sound, prairie landscapes, rivers, and evergreen forests, we’re just over an hour from ocean beaches, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier. Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, brewery-hopping, or live music, you’ll find easy access to it all.

Here in Tumwater, we’re building a future that’s highly livable, connected, and inclusive. With safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a deep sense of civic pride, it’s not just a great place to live, it’s a great place to grow your career.

The Opportunity

The City of Tumwater is seeking motivated individuals to join our Public Works Operations team as Maintenance Technician I. We are currently recruiting for positions on both the Water Distribution Crew and Sanitary Sewer Crew, offering an opportunity to build a career while supporting the essential infrastructure and services our community relies on every day.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who enjoy hands-on work, being outdoors, learning new skills, and working as part of a team. Whether you bring previous construction, utility, or maintenance experience or are looking for an opportunity to develop those skills, the city provides training and hands-on experience to help employees grow within the Maintenance Technician series. Applicants may be considered for Water Distribution, Sanitary Sewer, or both crews based on their interests, qualifications, and operational needs.

Please Note: This recruitment may close prior to the posted closing date if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Classification Summaries

Sanitary Sewer 
The Maintenance Technician I – Sanitary Sewer Crew performs skilled and semi-skilled work in the installation, maintenance, repair, and operation of the City’s sanitary sewer collection system. Work includes maintaining sewer mains, force mains, manholes, grinder pumps, lift stations, and related wastewater infrastructure. The position also assists with utility locates, emergency response, inspections, and operation of specialized equipment to ensure safe and reliable sewer service.

Water Distribution
The Maintenance Technician I – Water Distribution Crew performs skilled and semi-skilled work in the construction, repair, operation, and maintenance of the City’s potable water distribution system. Work includes installing and maintaining water mains, service lines, meters, hydrants, valves, pressure-reducing equipment, and other water distribution infrastructure. The position supports system reliability, regulatory compliance, water quality protection, and the safe delivery of drinking water to the community.

Distinguishing Characteristics - All Crews

• This is the entry-level classification in the Utility Maintenance series. Positions at this level learn and perform maintenance work under the direction of a Field Crew Lead or senior staff. 
• Employees receive structured training and gradually progress to independent work assignments as skills develop.
• Unlike higher-level classifications, the Maintenance Technician I performs tasks with direct oversight.

Sanitary Sewer
Sanitary Sewer System Maintenance & Repair

• Assist with cleaning, repairing, and maintaining sewer mains, force mains, and side sewer lines.
• Maintain and repair manholes, wet wells, and gravity/pressurized sewer components.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance at lift stations and grinder pump facilities.
• Assist in identifying and correcting sewer blockages, backups, and infiltration/exfiltration issues.

Operation of Tools, Vehicles & Equipment

• Operate or assist with hydro-vactor units, jetting equipment, pumps, and portable generators.
• Use hand tools and power tools for excavation, cutting, and repair tasks.
• Assist with CCTV camera equipment to assess pipe condition and locate failures.
• Assist with lift station troubleshooting and repairs. 

Safety & Compliance

• Follow safety procedures including traffic control, PPE, trench safety, and confined space and fall protection protocols.
• Assist senior staff during confined space operations.
• Participate in emergency call-outs related to sewer backups, spills, or system failures.

General Crew Support

• Perform routine vehicle and equipment inspections.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of work sites and shops.
• Participate in City trainings, certifications, and skill development.

Water Distribution
Water System Construction & Maintenance

• Assist with installing, repairing, and maintaining water mains, service lines, valves, and hydrants.
• Assist with support tapping, cutting, and laying water pipe under supervision.
• Assist in performing hydrant flushing, valve exercising, and routine distribution system maintenance.
• Assist in identifying leaks, breaks, and pressure issues.

Metering & Customer Service Support

• Assist with meter installation, replacement, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Support meter reading or automated meter infrastructure (AMI) updates as assigned.
• Assist with customer service requests such as leak investigations.

Operation of Tools, Vehicles & Equipment

• Operate or assist with tapping machines, pumps, compressors, and small-to-medium equipment.
• Use hand and power tools for excavation, cutting, and repair work.
• Assist with operation of excavation equipment (backhoe, mini excavator) as training progresses.

Water Quality & Safety Support

• Assist with flushing and cleaning operations to maintain water quality.
• Follow cross-connection control procedures under direction of certified staff.
• Support emergency repairs, line breaks, and after-hours response.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow safety protocols including trench safety, confined space awareness, PPE, and traffic control.
• Participate in mandatory training related to water system operation and safety.
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized job sites and equipment.

General Crew Support

• Conduct routine vehicle and equipment inspections.
• Maintain tools, materials, and hydrant/valve inventory supplies.
• Participate in skill-building and certification programs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities - All Crews

• Demonstrates basic, acceptable work habits and reliability.
• Shows willingness to learn and obtain required entry-level licenses or certifications.
• Learns basic troubleshooting skills (e.g., lift station checks), proper hand tool use, and foundational infrastructure awareness.
• Understands the team’s mission, goals, and operational priorities.
• Begins developing cross-training, documentation, and recordkeeping skills.
• Works under direct supervision and is not expected to operate independently.
• Collaborates and communicates effectively and contributes positively to team environments.
• Demonstrates awareness of basic safety principles and safe behavior while working in the right-of-way.

Minimum Qualifications 

1. High school diploma or GED
2. Valid Washington State Driver License

Special Requirements:

• Ability to obtain WA State Class A Commercial Driver’s License w/ tanker, airbrake endorsements within 12 months of hire. 
• Ability to obtain Flagger Certification within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to obtain Confined Space Entry/Fall Protection within 6 months of hire or when training is available.
• Ability to obtain CPR & First Aid within 6 months of hire. 

Decision Rights & Problem Solving
Exercises sound judgment in performing assigned maintenance, repair, inspection, and operational duties while following established procedures, safety standards, and regulatory requirements. Identifies equipment failures, infrastructure deficiencies, and operational concerns; evaluates appropriate corrective actions within assigned authority; and communicates complex issues to supervisory staff. Prioritizes daily work assignments based on operational needs, public safety, regulatory requirements, and established department priorities.

Supervision Received / Exercised
Received: Works under close to general supervision of the assigned supervisor or designee. Work is reviewed through observation, completed assignments, adherence to safety practices, and quality of work performed.
Exercised: None.

Key Relationships
• Internal: Assigned supervisor, crew members, Public Works staff, department employees, Fleet Maintenance, Engineering, and other City departments.
• External: Contractors, utility providers, regulatory agencies, vendors, property owners, and members of the public.

Tools & Technology

• Hand and power tools
• Light and heavy equipment, vehicles, and specialized maintenance machinery
• Mobile communication devices and two-way radios
• Computer systems, tablets, and mobile work order or asset management software
• GPS, GIS, inspection, testing, and diagnostic equipment, as applicable
• Standard office equipment and Microsoft 365 applications, as needed

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Work is performed in a variety of field, operational, or service environments, depending on assignment. Duties may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, traffic, equipment, uneven terrain, and other operational hazards. Work may require prolonged standing or walking, climbing, bending, kneeling, reaching, and heavy lifting, as well as the operation of tools, equipment, or vehicles. Some assignments may involve working in confined or restricted spaces.

Work schedules may include evenings, weekends, holidays, emergency response, or on-call assignments based on operational needs. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws.

Commitment to Equity, Safety, and Ethics

Employees are expected to perform their duties in a manner that supports equity, safety, integrity, and professionalism. This includes following all safety policies and procedures, treating coworkers and the public with respect, and conducting work ethically and responsibly.

Employees are expected to uphold public trust through fair, transparent, and lawful conduct and to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment.

The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
  
The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.