Engineering Technician 3

Pierce-County-Washington; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County is seeking an Engineering Technician 3 to support the Development Services Inspection Team. The role focuses on ensuring sewer construction and site development meet approved plans, specifications, and county standards, primarily out in the field with occasional clerical tasks.

You will perform inspections, support with calculations, review plans, and help maintain project records while collaborating with inspectors, engineers, and the public to uphold safety and compliance across

Qualifications

• Two or more years of progressively responsible related experience.
• Two years of college or post-high school technical training.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical information and procedures to the public, other staff or groups in person, on the telephone or in writing.
• Performs difficult engineering calculations to support job functions; prepares "as built" drawings for inspection recording.
• Conducts on-site inspections or performs the inspection of materials and projects for contractor compliance; prepares inspection reports for routine projects.
• Reviews routine plans, specifications or engineering reports for conformance to pre-established Pierce County standards.
• Develops and maintains project files and other records.
• Interprets plans, specifications, construction staking, and field markings.

Skills

Communication skills

Field inspections

Engineering calculations

Plan interpretation

Documentation

Education

Two years of college or post-high school technical training

Tools

MS Office

Adobe Acrobat

Bluebeam

Permitting software

Job description

Why it's a great opportunity:

In this role as Engineering Technician 3 with the 5-person Development Services Inspection Team, you will use your knowledge of site development and construction to ensure that developer funded projects are built to meet requirements as specified in the approved plans and specifications. While in the field most of the time, you will be ensuring that sewer construction, to include compaction tests, are to standards for projects with over 500 residential units to stand alone single family sewer systems. Permitting software, MS office suite, Adobe, occasionally Bluebeam, and other supporting software will ensure correct specifications and codes are being met. While you will work independently, you will be supported by your inspector coworkers, supervisors, county subject matter experts, and management teams. Being engaged with these projects, contractors, engineers, builders, planners, and the public with daily correspondence will allow you to positively affect and enhance the community and can take pride in the work you accomplish every day.

Why it's a great department:

PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW’s team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few! Learn more about Planning and Public Workshere.

How to be successful in the role:

Your success will come from highly effective communication both written and verbal to those you support as well as extensive knowledge of residential and commercial construction sequencing. Explaining approved engineering plans, County specifications, material standards, and correction requirements to the contractor are essential, as is recording and noting the progression of inspections and corrections. Being a detail focused and motivated self starter will ensure your success.

Your future in this role:

You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Core daily responsibilities:

• Provides technical information and procedures to the public, other staff or groups in person, on the telephone or in writing.
• Performs difficult engineering calculations to support job functions; prepares "as built" drawings for inspection recording.
• Conducts on-site inspections or performs the inspection of materials and projects for contractor compliance; prepares inspection reports for routine projects.
• Reviews routine plans, specifications or engineering reports for conformance to pre-established Pierce County standards.
• Develops and maintains project files and other records.
• Interprets plans, specifications, construction staking, and field markings.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be foundhere.

• Additional experience may substitute equally for the recruiting requirements.
• Two or more years of progressively responsible related experience.
• Two years of college or post-high school technical training.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Our Recruitment Practices:

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position.Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment:

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.