Plumbing Inspector

Full Job Description

Date of first consideration is Monday, February 16, 2026.

This position will work with a team of plan reviewers and are expected to possess technical knowledge and experience performing complex plumbing and gas piping inspections, reviewing complex plumbing system design plans, and ensuring compliance with codes, laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. The role of the Plumbing Inspector is to protect public health and the environment from the hazards of improper plumbing and gas piping installations, accurately observe and write code correction action items in accordance with the plumbing code. The role of a Plumbing Plan Reviewer is to review proposed plumbing and gas designs to protect public health and the environment from the hazards of improperly designed plumbing and gas piping systems. While this is primarily a technical position, the successful candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and cultural competence skills and demonstrate the creativity and analytical skills needed to support customers in achieving compliance with public health and construction regulations that protect the community.

Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last up to three (3) years.

However, funding sources for this work remain uncertain and dependent upon decisions actively being made at both the federal and local levels.

As a result, the end date of this position may be adjusted based on those decisions. The County and the Department continue to work to secure long term funding sources.

This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity.

For Special Duty Assignment interest, you must be a Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation.

You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr.

Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world.

It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities.

With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups.

Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Requirements

• Convey public health and environmental codes, regulations, policies, and regulatory information to a variety of diverse audiences, including industry and government partners, and the public.
• Interpret applicable codes, laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations pertaining to plumbing and gas piping system designs with a perspective on public health and safety.
• Field inspect all aspects of a plumbing or gas installation for code compliance.
• Respond to, consult with, and engage with superintendents, contractors, engineers, plumbers, architects, and homeowners on code, code interpretation, and material and equipment installation standards to reach compliance.
• Maintain and use program specific computerized systems, write and review reports, and maintain accurate records.
• Prepare and maintain written and electronic records of plan reviews, correction action items, and approvals.
• Review submitted plumbing plans which may include but are not limited to: domestic and sanitary plumbing systems, backflow devices and assemblies, medical gas, alternate water use, natural or LP gas piping (including flue vents and combustion air), laboratories and commercial kitchens, for compliance with various codes and ordinances.
• Review plans, diagrams, and associated construction documents.
• Perform analysis of plumbing and gas piping design, and review/evaluate proposed methods of installation.
• Establish and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with customers, coworkers, supervisors and other Environmental Health Division employees, and the general public using principles of good internal and external customer service.
• Participate in assigned Environmental Health Division meetings and trainings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Licensing/Certification Qualifications

Washington State commercial (PL01) journeyman plumber certification, residential (PL02) plumber certification, or a letter from Washington State Labor and industries, verifying the approval to perform the Washington State commercial (PL01) plumber certification or residential (PL02) plumber certification exam.

The incumbent will perform and pass one of these exams prior to the end of the 6-month probationary period.

Washington State driver’s license or the ability to obtain one prior to the end of the 6-month probationary period.

Desired Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of recent experience as a Journeyman or residential plumber from Washington State or another state with equivalent licensing requirements, including designing and performing residential or commercial plumbing installations and/or any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position.
• IAPMO Plumbing Inspector Certification or ability to obtain an IAPMO Plumbing Inspector certification prior to the end of the 6-month probationary period.
• Plumbing Plans Examiner Certification or ability to obtain an IAPMO Plumbing Plans Examiner certification prior to the end of the 6-month probationary period.

Additional Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• Pre-employment Physical
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.

When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description.

This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.

• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Work Schedule

This position typically works 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week anytime between 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Schedule requires flexibility for weekend and evening work. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.

Work Location

Physical Requirements This position requires the ability to perform work duties both indoors in an office environment and in the field in a variety of physical and weather conditions that may include walking uneven terrain, crawling in a crawl space, and climbing a ladder.

This position may require the ability to use appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) based on situational needs.

This position may require the incumbent to occasionally access or travel by ferry or boat.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Union Membership

This position is represented by Seattle Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local #32.

Contact

For questions about this position, please contact Sarah Dunkinson (sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov).