Wastewater Maintenance Technician

Why it's a great opportunity: In this role you will use your wastewater and construction methods, concepts, applications, and regulations to support the operation, maintenance, repair, and installation of a wide range of mechanical equipment, systems, and other complex machinery. You will perform tasks in mechanics, electrical, plumbing, metal fabrication, machining, and/or equipment operation. You will support the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (CCRWWTP), the Cascadia Wastewater Treatment Plant, the collections systems, over 100 pump stations, and electrical/mechanical systems throughout the Pierce County Sewer Service Area.  This is a great opportunity to work with equipment, systems, and facilities that are relatively new and state-of-the-art. Your safety focus related to wastewater and construction as well as asset management knowledge, will help you evaluate and troubleshoot problems to help ensure a healthy environment for Pierce County. 

Why it's a great department: PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW’s team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!
 
Learn more about Planning and Public Works here.

How to be successful in the role: Your success will come from the maintenance and operations work for scheduled tasks, repairs, and projects. As a part of our team, you will need to be flexible in terms of location and task assignment, have good communication skills, utilize computer technology, and promote safety procedures. Ensuring work is done on time to the benefit of Pierce County communities is paramount. Being physically capable of performing tasks, below-ground, in confined spaces, at various heights, and in all types of environments will help ensure your success. 

Your future in this role: You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Core daily responsibilities:

• Operate T.V. inspection van to visually locate infiltration, sags or problems associated with sewer lines. 
• Clean main sewer lines by operating a high velocity jet cleaning truck. 
• Drive and operate various pieces of equipment and hand and power tools associated with construction in the wastewater industry to perform job assignments. 
• Pump septic tanks and wet wells utilizing single or tandem axle pump trucks; clean, repair and maintain community septic tanks, drain fields and valve boxes. 
• Maintain and repair residential grinder pump stations. 
• Perform preventative maintenance and repairs on all equipment; troubleshoot and repair faulty components; ensure proper operation of all equipment; interpret blueprints to access information for locations of sewer lines. 
• Perform routine equipment inspections to ensure proper operation; maintain and repair pump motors and electrical systems throughout the sewer and water systems. 
• Plan and direct the deployment of traffic cones, barricades, signs and flag persons to protect both the public and working personnel at a job site in accordance with regulations regarding construction in traveled rights-of-way. 
• Lead, train, provide direction and instruction to Wastewater Maintenance Workers as assigned. 
• Repair or replace broken side sewers, main lines, manhole frames and lids, performing inspections on new manholes and new lines; fabricate and install ladder rungs in manholes.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

• Additional education /training and/or experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of the classification may substitute on a year for year basis.
• Three (3) years of experience in the wastewater field or other related field i.e. public works construction, mechanical repair and maintenance of treatment plant, pump stations and collection systems equipment, construction, electronics, etc. 
• High School diploma or equivalency. 

Special qualifications:

• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Washington State Driver's license with Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class "A"(Tank Vehicle) endorsement within the first twelve months of employment. 
• All employees in the classification after twelve months must maintain a valid WA CDL Class “A” (Tank Vehicle) endorsement. 
• Must obtain a Traffic Control (Flagging) Card, CPR, and First Aid Card within the first six months of employment.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Satisfactory physical condition, as evidenced by a county approved physical examination, will be required prior to appointment to the position. 

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting “APPLY” above or visiting www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
• If you have questions about this opportunity, email the Recruitment Team at [email protected] and include the job number and title.
• Individuals who need accommodation in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

Our Recruitment Practices:This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment: Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.