Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator 2
State of Washington
Posted: January 2, 2026 (12 days ago)
This job has been posted for 1-2 weeks. Still a good time to apply.
City of Tacoma
Environmental Services
Location
Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764
Salary
$53.89 - $56.58
per hour
Type
Full Time
More Utilities & Public Works jobs →Closes
This senior role involves leading maintenance teams to repair and upkeep wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, and related equipment, including fabricating parts and planning schedules.
It suits experienced machinists who are skilled in hands-on technical work and enjoy guiding and motivating others in a team setting.
The job requires working in challenging environments like confined spaces and handling heavy equipment.

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.
Basic wastewater treatment plant processes and impact of equipment malfunctionsSafety techniques, testing and procedures in handling dangerous or hazardous gases and/or confined spaces as related to a wastewater treatment plantBasic principles of the skilled maintenance trades.
Basic plumbing and electricityOral and written communication skillsMethods, tools, equipment and materials used in wastewater treatmentPlant equipment maintenance, repair, removal and installationProper methods of storing equipment, materials and suppliesHealth and safety regulationsRequirements of maintaining City waste water treatment plant equipment in a safe, clean and orderly conditionApplicable regulations, policies and procedures.
Technical aspects of field of specialtySkill with computers and software. Record-keeping techniquesMachine tool operationTrain and provide work direction to others.
Understand and follow oral and written directions.
Follow applicable health and safety proceduresEstablish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with othersPerform complex maintenance and repair of plant equipment using a variety of power and hand tools and complex test equipmentAnalyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
Work from blueprints, shop drawings and sketchesPerform heavy manual labor. Meet schedules and time linesWork independently with little direction.
Plan and organize workInspect equipment, diagnose problems and correct as neededPerform maintenance machinist and a variety of skilled maintenance work Additional Information Application ProcessInterested 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 TacomaWe 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 InclusionAt 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 CommunityTacoma 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=2n5MWl8KFvICompensation & BenefitsPay Details:Hourly Rate: $53.89 - $56.58Annual Salary: $112,091.20 - $117,686.40Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma
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