Sewer Equipment Operator

The City of Tacoma's Environmental Services Department invites you to apply to join our team as a Sewer Equipment Operator. We believe everything we do supports healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound, leaving a better Tacoma for all.

The Sewer Equipment Operator is a specialized position that requires knowledge and work experience in a variety of sewer maintenance equipment and vehicles that are used to clean, vacuum, and flush sewer lines and catch basins.

If the below list of personal traits sounds like you, then you are just the type of person we are looking for to join our team as a Sewer Equipment Operator.

• Excellent attendance
• Enjoy Swing Shift work schedule
• Enjoy working both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather conditions
• Willingness to learn
• Self motivated
• Great customer service
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Enjoy physically demanding and diverse job tasks

The City of Tacoma posts separate Equipment Operator job announcements for each Department. Recruitment for all of these Equipment Operator jobs is conducted separately; we welcome and encourage you to apply for any and all positions you meet the minimum qualifications of, for hiring consideration in each Department.

• Load and prepare trucks and equipment according to crew assignment. Transport workers and a variety of equipment, tools and materials to and from assigned job sites.
• Clean, service and maintain assigned trucks and equipment in safe working condition.
• Communicate with the public regarding sewer-related complaints; respond to and resolve emergencies as assigned.
• Assist sewer crew workers as needed in the performance of various sewer maintenance and repair duties.
• Set up work area and equipment as needed; set up traffic warning devices according to recognized safety procedures.
• Assess sewer systems using a variety of electronic technologies and equipment.
• Direct assigned personnel or crew to safely complete tasks.
• Work safely and cooperatively with co‑workers and the public.

• Maintain a variety of records, logs and lists, including completion of daily work orders/notifications, truck sheets and mobile dispatch technology.
• Maintain an effective working knowledge of the City’s sewer lines and locations.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

• Position requires lifting heavy objects, climbing and pushing up to 90 pounds.
• Outdoor environment; subject to adverse weather conditions.
• Required to respond to emergency call‑outs during off‑duty hours.
• Employees in this position may be subject to driving from site to site, heavy traffic and extreme weather conditions; fumes, raw sewage, confined space and excavation hazards, prolonged periods of noise and potentially hazardous materials.

This classification is overtime eligible, and employees are subject to a 24‑hour call‑out response to emergencies. The positions follow a 9/80 schedule, defined as follows: during a two‑week pay period, employees work four days at nine (9) hours each, Monday to Thursday, and one eight (8) 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 one‑half (1/2) hour unpaid lunch break each workday, and Friday is a non‑working day.

An equivalent combination of:

• Graduation from high school or GED.
• Two (2) years as a sewer worker or equivalent experience, including training or experience operating specialized sewer equipment.

• Experience in repairing, maintaining, and cleaning storm and sewer lines.
• Work experience operating dump trucks, Vactor trucks and back cutters.
• Willing to work Swing Shift work schedule.

Valid Washington State Class A Commercial driver’s license with N (tanker) endorsement at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter. Position is subject to random CDL drug testing.

• Operation, care and maintenance of sewer maintenance trucks/equipment and accessories.
• Requirements of operating equipment in a safe manner.
• Applicable traffic laws, ordinances and rules.
• Maintain routine records and prepare routine…