Water Maintenance Operations Specialist

Salary : $82,200.00 - $99,972.00 Annually
Location : Tukwila, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-00009
Department: PUBLIC WORKS
Division: WATER-OPERATIONS
Opening Date: 02/09/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description
The City of Tukwila is searching for a Maintenance & Operations Specialist to perform journey level activities in our Public Works Department. TheWater Maintenance & Operations Specialists perform individually and as part of a team in the maintenance and operations activities throughout the water system. They operate hand/power tools, equipment, and machinery to accomplish assigned duties such as, but not limited to; meter reading, field data collection, grounds/building maintenance, operating and maintaining valves/pumps/hydrants, installation and repair of water infrastructure, flagging, excavating, and emergency repair work on the water system
About the City

The City of Tukwila is 9.6 square miles of opportunity and a dynamic place to work. The population is over 22,000 at night and up to 150,000+ during the day. Tukwila shares borders with the Cities of Seattle, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, and Kent. Its central location lies in the heart of the Puget Sound region, sitting 12 miles south of downtown Seattle, 17 miles north of downtown Tacoma, and just east of SeaTac Airport. It is easily accessed by I-5 and I-405 or via either of Tukwila's two train stations, the Sounder Station or the Sound Transit Light Rail Station.
Mission Statement

To provide superior services that support a safe, inviting, and healthy environment for our residents, businesses, and guests.

Core Values:

Caring - We support the diverse community we serve with compassion, empathy and kindness.

Professional - We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and act with integrity and transparency. We are respectful and courteous with all.

Responsive - We are timely and effective in the delivery of great customer service. We continually strive to find innovative ways to improve.

About Public Works Department:
The Public Works Department provides the foundation for high quality of life in Tukwila by protecting the health and safety of residents, visitors, and businesses. The Department is responsible for design, construction, operations, and maintenance of the City's essential transportation, water, sewer, and surface water infrastructure. Public Works also supports other departments through the management and maintenance of the City's vehicles and facilities assets. The department is comprised of 67 employees organized into four divisions: Administration, Engineering, Maintenance & Operations, and Fleet & Facilities.
WHY CHOOSE THE CITY OF TUKWILA?

• Competitive salary with scheduled step increases on an annual basis
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision plans
• Employer contributions to the State Retirement System pension plan
• Deferred Compensation plan options.
• Paid holidays as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement
• VEBA (tax-free health savings account)
• Employee Wellness Program in addition to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Salary Range:
$6,850 - $8,331 per month. This position is represented by the Teamsters 763.
Note: We don't typically hire at the top of the range.
How to Apply

Please submit an online application, cover letter, and resume via our NEOGOV job link. Initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the "education" and "work experience" sections of your application along with your cover letter and resume.
Veteran's Preference

Veteran's Preference is available in accordance with state laws. Attach DD214 or NGB Form 22 for eligibility.
Selection Process
The City of Tukwila is an equal opportunity employer and strives to employ a diverse workforce reflective of the community it serves. Qualified applicants with multicultural experience and/or backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
This selection process may include but is not limited to evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing, and interviewing. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at
***This position will remain open until filled***

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the maintenance and operations activities assigned by the water department superintendent, including but not limited to, meter installs, line locating, leak detection, service line replacement and repairs, water main replacement and repairs, hydrant replacement and repairs, meter accuracy testing, pressure reducing valve maintenance and troubleshooting, check valve maintenance and troubleshooting, analyzing scada trends, water quality sampling, workorder creation and completion, Identifying assets for GIS.
• May assist in the performance of a variety of skilled activities in maintaining and repairing City infrastructures, to include sewer, surface water, water, bridges, roads, right of ways, and easements. Duties may include installing, repairing, and maintaining mains, pipes, catch basins, ditches, valves, hydrants, stations, pumps, and meters; maintaining and repairing road surfaces, shoulders, and bridges; installing and maintaining pavement markings and traffic control devices; sweeping; and fabricating and repairing traffic signs.
• Perform maintenance and safety inspections of facilities, equipment, and systems requiring skilled knowledge in order to determine need for repair and to identify problems.
• Respond to inquiries, complaints, and service requests to include marking location of lines, detecting leaks, billing, and water quality.
• Operate a variety of equipment such as trucks, boom trucks, front-end loaders, backhoes, vactor trucks, and forklifts. Performs operational checks and preventive maintenance activities and reports needed equipment repairs.
• Perform site maintenance activities such as applying pesticides; mowing, trimming, pruning, removing, and planting vegetation; painting; and litter control.
• May operate, maintain, and repair specialized equipment, instruments, electrical panels and meters, water meters, and cross connection control devices.
• Direct and controls traffic, to include placing traffic cones and signs; flagging traffic; and closing lanes and streets.
• Maintain reasonable, predictable, and regular attendance during the standard work week.
• Respond to emergency events and situations, to include snow, ice, power outages, and flooding.
• May serve as lead on projects to seasonal employees.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry):

• Maintenance and repair methods and techniques in area of assignment;
• Basic operations and equipment maintenance techniques;
• Safety precautions applicable to area of assignment;
• Tools and equipment used in area of assignment;
• Laws and regulations applicable to area of assignment; and
• Troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures related to systems maintained.

SKILLS (position requirements at entry):

• Performing skilled maintenance activities related to area of assignment;
• Troubleshooting, diagnosing, and repairing equipment used;
• Using hand and power tools;
• Applying traffic control techniques;
• Mowing right of ways and easements and trimming trees and shrubs;
• Applying customer service techniques;
• Reading and recording information from gauges and meters;
• Constructing and repairing piping, valves, mains, hydrants, and meters;
• Operating vehicles requiring a commercial driver's license;
• Establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels and with the public; and
• Communication, both oral and written, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Education, Experience and Other Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and three years of general maintenance, construction, or operations experience in area of assignment;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
• Valid Driver's License with applicable endorsements
• Class A CDL with tanker endorsement preferred at time of hire. The city may choose to send an applicant to school to obtain their CDL depending on other qualifications;
• Washington State Water Distribution Manager level 1 certification or Operator in Training within 6 months of hire.
• Flagging Card.
• First Aid and CPR certification

Some positions may require additional licensing such as Washington State Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator's license, Waste Water Certificate I, Water Distribution Manger I.T.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/REQUIREMENTS:

Positions in this class typically require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, mobility, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
The City of Tukwila offers a comprehensive benefit package to all regular full-time and part-time employees and their eligible dependents, including domestic partners (DP) and their dependents (a tax penalty applies to the DP portion of the premium). Part-time employees pay a pro-rated share of the premium.

Medical Employees have the option of choosing from the City's self-insured plan that is administered by Healthcare Management Administrators (HMA) and is part of the Regence Preferred Provider network; or Kaiser Permanente, an HMO, for medical and prescription coverage.

Dental The dental plan is provided through the City's self-insured plan (HMA) and covers preventative, basic, and restorative services to an annual maximum of $2,000. An incentive level applies to these services ranging from 70% to 100% coverage. Orthodontia is available for dependent children to age 19.

Vision Vision coverage is provided via Teamsters through Northwest Administrators, Inc. Coverage includes an annual eye exam and vision hardware.

Employee Cost Share Regular, full-time employees contribute a monthly premium cost share based on the coverage level elected.

2025 Coverage Level

HMA Employee Monthly Cost Share

Kaiser Employee Monthly Cost Share

Employee only

$50.28

$43.89

Employee & Spouse (or DP)

$105.91

$92.61

Employee, Spouse (or DP), 1 Child

$131.95

$115.44

Employee, Spouse (or DP) and 2 or more Children

$153.28

$133.88

Employee, 1 Child

$76.32

$66.72

Employee and 2 or more Children

$97.65

$85.15

Sick Leave Sick leave accrues at the rate of four (4) hours per pay period (pro-rated for part-time employees).

Vacation Leave After six months continuous employment, six (6) days of vacation is awarded and then accrues at the rate of four (4) hours each pay period (pro-rated for part-time employees). Additional vacation hours are accrued per pay period after years three (3) through fifteen (15) years of service, to a maximum accumulation of 384 hours.

Holidays The City of Tukwila recognizes eleven (11) holidays and two (2) floating or "personal" holidays each calendar year, unless otherwise specified in the labor agreement.

Retirement Membership in the Washington State Department of Retirement System PERS 2, PERS 3 or PSERS 2 plans, as applicable, is required. The employee and employer both contribute to the plans.

Deferred Compensation Employees may choose to set aside a portion of their earnings on a tax-deferred basis for retirement purposes. The City offers investment options through either Mission Square or Empower.

Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance A basic life insurance policy of $50,000 is provide for Teamsters represented employees at no cost. Supplemental life insurance is available at group rates through payroll deduction for employees and their dependents. A long-term disability (LTD) policy is provided for Teamsters represented employees at no cost. The policy provides for up to 60% of monthly salary replacement.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows employees to set aside a portion of their salary, tax-deferred, to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses, dependent care expenses, and/or adoption assistance.

HRA/VEBA Teamsters employees make a monthly contribution to individual VEBA accounts. These contributions are deducted via payroll deduction on a monthly basis. See the applicable Labor Agreement for specific details on the amount of the monthly deduction for each bargaining unit.

Employee Assistance Program The City of Tukwila contracts with an outside agency to provide confidential personal or job-related counseling and referral assistance to employees and their eligible dependents at no cost.

Longevity Pay Longevity pay is awarded beginning at five (5) years of service and increases at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service.

Pay Days Pay days occur on the 10th and 25th of each month (24 pay periods annually). Direct deposit of pay is available.