Sewer Equipment Operator, Heavy

The City of Tacoma is recruiting for experienced Sewer Heavy Equipment Operators to work for the Environmental Services Department under the Operations and Maintenance Division.

• Excellent attendance
• Enjoy working both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions
• Provides great customer service
• Likes working with various crews as part of a team effort, or individually to accomplish an assigned task
• Enjoys a variety of physically demanding job tasks

• Operate heavy power-driven equipment on a regular basis, including backhoes, excavators, street sweepers, front-loaders, dump trucks, bulldozers and other large trucks or equipment.
• Operate auxiliary mechanical equipment and attachments; service and maintain assigned equipment.
• Load and unload a variety of materials and equipment; lift and move materials to designated areas.
• Perform excavation, filing, compacting and grading work used for repair, construction and maintenance activities.
• Operate equipment to install, repair, and maintain underground storm and sanitary sewers and related collection system structures and facilities.
• Operate equipment in cleaning paved streets; maintain roadside conveyance systems, ponds, regional holding basins, ditches and City owned properties.
• Assist crews to complete work assignments.
• Maintain proper levels of supplies and equipment as needed.
• Maintain daily work reports and other related forms.
• Inspect equipment to assure safe operating conditions, coordinate equipment maintenance with appropriate persons or departments.
• Ability to work safely, cooperatively and communicate effectively with co-workers and the public.

Position requires good motor coordination and depth perception, climbing, lifting and bending. Outdoor environment, subject to adverse weather conditions. Required to respond to emergency callouts during off‑duty hours. Employees may be required to drive from site to site through heavy traffic and extreme weather conditions; exposure to fumes, raw sewage, confined spaces and excavation hazards; prolonged periods of noise and potentially hazardous materials.

The classification follows a 9/80 schedule: during a two‑week pay period, employees work four days at nine (9) hours each, Monday to Thursday, and one eight‑hour day on Friday in the first week. The second week consists of four days at nine (9) hours each, Monday to Thursday, with a half‑hour unpaid lunch break each workday;
Friday is a non‑working day.

Positions are generally staffed Sunday through Friday. Shift placement is determined by union seniority and subject to semi‑annual change. These positions are subject to 24‑hour call‑out response to emergencies. Shift eligibility: day or graveyard; graveyard shifts receive a premium pay of 5%. Overtime is eligible.

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Two (2) years of heavy equipment operating experience in construction or maintenance trades.

• Possession of a valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License, with Air Brake restriction removed, at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter.
• Operation, care and maintenance of assigned heavy equipment.
• Requirements of operating equipment in a safe manner.
• Applicable traffic laws, ordinances and rules.
• Methods, equipment and materials used in the construction field.
• Operate, service and make minor repairs on equipment.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
• Place materials with accuracy.
• Excavate or move earth to required grade.
• City’s sewer system locations using GIS and City of Tacoma GovME and ESRI website.
• Quickly and accurately learn City streets and sewer system locations.
• Knowledge of construction standards and health and safety practices.

Interested individuals should complete the online application and attach a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time…