Engineering Aide

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle City Light seeks three entry‑level Engineering Aides for Joint Use and Wood Pole Design at the South Service Center. You’ll assist professional engineers with non‑professional tasks, interpret engineering documents, perform drafting, and help with cost calculations.

The role supports back‑end work orders, ROWs, permits, and customer applications. A high school math background and a WA driver’s license are required. Work is primarily office‑based with field duties as needed.

Qualifications

• High school math including trigonometry required.
• Valid Washington driver’s license or evidenced mobility.

Responsibilities

• Issue and maintain work orders.
• Manage and issue transfer notifications in Alden One.
• Process and manage ROW permit applications across jurisdictions.
• Intake, approve, and process customer applications.
• Generate billing reports and ensure invoices align with work orders.
• Issue Joint Use permits and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Conduct site visits as needed to support permitting and inspections.

Skills

Problem-solving

Collaborative

Stakeholder coordination

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Learning quickly

Education

High school diploma / equivalent

Tools

Alden One

WAMS

Job description

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

City Light is looking for three Engineering Aides to join our team of professional engineers and support staff. These entry-level positions are in Joint Use and Wood Pole Design, located at the South Service Center. In this role, you will perform non-professional engineering support tasks within an engineering office: interpreting engineering documents, calculating costs, field operation, or elementary drafting; performing computations; processing invoices and maintaining and updating work orders for engineering records. This position reports to the Joint Use Supervisor.

Here is more about what you’ll be doing:

Support the back‑end efforts of four workgroups by:

• Issue and maintain work orders
• Manage and issue transfer notifications in Alden One
• Intake, process, and manage engineering as‑builts
• Administer and oversee Joint Use fines
• Process and manage Right Of Way (ROW) permit applications across multiple jurisdictions
• Intake, approve, and process customer applications
• Generate billing reports for Accounting and ensure accurate assignment of invoices to billable work orders.
• Issue Joint Use permits and ensure regulatory compliance
• Investigate and resolve customer complaints
• Produce internal and external reports and metrics
• Generate Work Asset Management System (WAMS) work‑order closure reports
• Conduct site visits as needed to support permitting, inspections, and issue resolution
• Field operations and drafting tasks may be required on occasion in the future, depending on operational needs.

Required Qualifications:

Satisfactory completion of high school mathematics including trigonometry (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment.
• Some work is performed in the field including exposure to all types of weather, traffic or hazardous/toxic substances.
• May be required to lift over 50 pounds.
• May be required to stand, walk or bend for extended periods of time.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Current State of Washington driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Desired Qualifications -

You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Strong problem-solving and critical‑thinking skills
• Positive, collaborative attitude and commitment to supporting team goals
• Ability to navigate and coordinate with multiple internal and external stakeholders
• Familiarity with utility infrastructure, right of way permits, pole attachments, or joint use processes.
• Comfortable adapting to changing priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Skilled in tracking, organizing, and managing high volumes of documentation
• Ability to learn new software systems and processes quickly
• High attention to detail and accuracy in reviewing technical documents

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Emergency Response Commitment:

Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role—usually aligned with their regular duties—to support emergency operations. Your participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

Please note: Interviews for this hiring process will take place the third week of October due to panelist availability.

The full salary range for this position is $36.16 to $42.07 per hour.

Who May Apply

This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.