Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Maintenance Machinist, Senior

Position Description

The City of Tacoma Environmental Services Department, Operations and Maintenance Division is seeking Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance Machinists to perform complex duties in the maintenance and repair of wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, machinery equipment, and related systems; to fabricate special tools, parts and equipment; and to plan and oversee maintenance schedules, train and provide work direction to Maintenance Machinists and Wastewater Treatment Plant Assistants. The ideal candidates will possess both exceptional technical ability and the ability to effectively lead and motivate their team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Perform complex duties in the maintenance and repair of hydraulic systems and controls, plumbing, various treatment plant and pump station equipment and other assigned equipment, buildings and facilities
• Oversee and plan maintenance schedule for subordinates; oversee and participate in preventive maintenance program; train maintenance machinists and recommend disciplinary action as appropriate. May create SAP work orders and notifications
• Participate in and conduct employee evaluations.
• Recommend improvements and modifications to existing facilities
• Fabricate special tools, parts and equipment; operate a lathe
• Operate arc and acetylene welding equipment in repairing parts and equipment as needed
• Remove, transport, replace and install equipment; repair or rebuild as necessary using various equipment such as mobile cranes and portable lifting devices
• Identify source of oil spills and assist with the removal of oil as required
• Order supplies and materials according to established procedures; contact vendors as needed; schedule necessary repairs of equipment in a timely and efficient manner
• Contact various departments and others to coordinate repair and maintenance activities and procure supplies
• Prepare and maintain electronic records and reports related to daily activities
• Operate a variety of tools, equipment machines such as electrical testing equipment welders, lathes, generators, portable pumps, saws, drills, roto-hammers and other power and hand tools; operate forklifts, mobile cranes and City vehicles

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work includes indoor and outdoor environment; subject to driving from site to site and noise, and working in confined spaces with fumes and odors. The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions.

A position in this class is generally exposed to prolonged period of standing, bending, climbing, loud industrial noises, fumes, and gases, working in confined spaces, above and underground, use and operating a variety of hand/power tools, equipment, and machinery requiring finger and hand dexterity, working in the field or in a plant working environment in all types of weather conditions and using proper safety equipment and devices. Walking, sitting, climbing or descending ladders and ability to enter tight and confined spaces. Position requires positioning self under and/or around equipment, ascending/descending, and moving objects weighing 90 pounds or more.

An employee in this position may be exposed to potentially hazardous materials.

Qualifications

An equivalent combination to graduation from high school AND:

Completion of approved four-year machinist apprenticeship program and/or college level technical training (i.e. Associate of Applied Science or equivalent two year technical certificated training program)

OR

Five years of increasingly responsible experience in the repair, maintenance, removal and installation of mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems including experience in a waste water treatment or five years permanent/fulltime work in a heavy industrial maintenance mechanic trade

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid Washington State driver's license at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter.

Knowledge & Skills

• Basic wastewater treatment plant processes and impact of equipment malfunctions
• Safety techniques, testing and procedures in handling dangerous or hazardous gases and/or confined spaces as related to a wastewater treatment plant
• Basic principles of the skilled maintenance trades. Basic plumbing and electricity
• Oral and written communication skills
• Methods, tools, equipment and materials used in wastewater treatment
• Plant equipment maintenance, repair, removal and installation
• Proper methods of storing equipment, materials and supplies
• Health and safety regulations
• Requirements of maintaining City waste water treatment plant equipment in a safe, clean and orderly condition
• Applicable regulations, policies and procedures. Technical aspects of field of specialty
• Skill with computers and software. Record-keeping techniques
• Machine tool operation
• Train and provide work direction to others. Understand and follow oral and written directions. Follow applicable health and safety procedures
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Perform complex maintenance and repair of plant equipment using a variety of power and hand tools and complex test equipment
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action. Work from blueprints, shop drawings and sketches
• Perform heavy manual labor. Meet schedules and time lines
• Work independently with little direction. Plan and organize work
• Inspect equipment, diagnose problems and correct as needed
• Perform maintenance machinist and a variety of skilled maintenance work

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Application Process

Interested individual should complete the online application and attach 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.

Applicants who are eligible for veterans scoring criteria (Veterans Preference) MUST attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4 (proof of military discharge form) at time of application to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference points.

Examination Process:
This is a competitive selection process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have Supplemental Questions #6-11 reviewed and scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test. These questions will be scored based on information provided; therefore, 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. Applicants must pass this evaluation to be placed on the eligible list for hiring consideration.

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.

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

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're 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 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: $53.89 - $56.58

Annual Salary: $112,091.20 - $117,686.40

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 age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 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.

Closing Date/Time: 1/20/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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