Maintenance Technician III - Stormwater Crew - INTERNAL ONLY

City of Tumwater; Tumwater (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Tumwater is seeking a skilled Maintenance Technician III to serve as a technical subject matter expert on the Stormwater Crew. This role performs advanced maintenance, inspection, and repair of stormwater systems, while mentoring Maintenance Technician I and II staff and coordinating field activities.

Responsibilities include leading complex projects, managing traffic control, and ensuring documentation in asset management systems, with emphasis on safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• Advanced stormwater maintenance and inspection experience.
• Ability to lead field operations and mentor staff.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of MUTCD-based traffic control and safety practices.
• Experience with asset management and GIS documentation.

Responsibilities

• Independently inspect, diagnose, maintain, and repair complex stormwater systems.
• Lead response to flooding and drainage emergencies.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior technicians.
• Oversee traffic control setups and work-zone safety.
• Document work orders, inspections, and asset history in GIS/asset systems.

Skills

Technical leadership

Field operation coordination

Troubleshooting complex issues

Mentoring junior staff

Knowledgeable in stormwater systems

Tools

Vactor equipment

Jetting equipment

Pumps and dewatering systems

Chainsaws and vegetation tools

CCTV inspection cameras

Asset management & GIS systems

Job description

This is an INTERNAL ONLY opportunity. This recruitment process is for Maintenance Technician II to apply for Maintenance Technician III positions. If you are an external candidate your application will automatically be rejected.

The Opportunity

The City of Tumwater is seeking a skilled Maintenance Technician III to serve as a technical subject matter expert on the Stormwater Crew. This advanced journey-level position plays a critical role in maintaining and improving the City’s stormwater infrastructure, including drainage systems, catch basins, pipelines, ditches, and treatment facilities.

In this role, you will perform complex maintenance, inspection, and repair work with a high degree of independence, including advanced troubleshooting and coordination of work activities. You will help support water quality goals, respond to storm-related events and emergency conditions, and ensure stormwater systems continue operating safely and effectively.

As a Maintenance Technician III, you will provide technical guidance and mentorship to Maintenance Technician I and II staff, support team coordination, and help drive safe and efficient field operations. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced technician ready to take on increased responsibility, apply advanced skills, and continue growing within the City.

Advanced Stormwater System Maintenance & Inspection

• Independently inspect, diagnose, maintain, and repair complex stormwater conveyance systems including mains, culverts, manholes, open channels, and outfalls.
• Perform advanced maintenance and corrective actions at stormwater treatment facilities such as ponds, vaults, swales, and proprietary BMP systems.
• Identify structural deficiencies, erosion issues, and system failures and determine appropriate corrective actions.

Advanced Troubleshooting & Environmental Response

• Lead response efforts to flooding events, storm-related system failures, and drainage emergencies.
• Identify, assess, and respond to illicit discharges, spills, and water quality concerns in coordination with supervisory staff.
• Support compliance with state and federal stormwater permits by ensuring proper field practices and documentation.

Equipment, Vehicle & Work Zone Leadership

• Operate advanced stormwater maintenance equipment including vactor trucks, street sweepers, jetting equipment, pumps, and dewatering systems.
• Lead setup, maintenance, and teardown of traffic control and work zones in accordance with City standards and MUTCD requirements.
• Perform and oversee routine inspections, greasing, fueling, and preventative maintenance of assigned vehicles and equipment.

Documentation, Compliance & Asset Management

• Ensure accurate and timely completion of work orders, inspection reports, and maintenance documentation.
• Review field documentation for completeness and accuracy and assist with correcting deficiencies.
• Update asset condition data, inspection findings, and maintenance history in asset management and GIS systems.

Traffic Control & Work Zone Safety

• Implements and adjusts traffic control setups in accordance with approved plans, MUTCD requirements, and City standards.
• Serve as traffic control lead or flagger as assigned.

Leadership & Mentoring

• Provide day-to-day technical guidance, mentoring, and training to Maintenance Technician I and II staff.
• Coordinate job site activities, assign tasks, and ensure safe and efficient work practices.
• Serve as project coordinator on complex or multi-day stormwater projects.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Provides technical leadership and coordination of work activities on job sites when designated.
• Serves as a technical subject-matter resource during field operations, as directed.
• Troubleshoot complex issues.
• Coordinates job-site activities and work sequencing within established plans, procedures, and authority.
• Shares institutional knowledge
• Possesses most/all necessary credentials for service to the assigned team.
• Mentors junior staff on policies and procedures, including (but not limited to):
  1. work orders
  2. documentation
  3. task performance safety practices and personal protective equipment use.

Advancement process is not automatic. In order to be fully considered for this advancement please refer to the Maintenance Technician (MT) Series Development Program SharePoint site for guidance.

This process ensures promotional decisions are based on demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs), required credentials, documented performance, and management review, while complying with the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), City policies, and departmental guidance.

For any questions on this advancement process please direct all questions to Human Resources.

Decision Rights & Problem Solving

• Makes field-level technical decisions within established procedures and authority and does not exercise formal supervisory or regulatory authority.
• Independently plans and executes complex stormwater maintenance tasks.
• Performs advanced troubleshooting and determines appropriate corrective actions within established authority.
• Makes field-level decisions related to safety, sequencing of work, and resource utilization.
• Escalates major regulatory, environmental, or safety concerns to supervisory staff.

Supervision Received / Exercised

• Received: General supervision from the Field Crew Lead or Assistant Utility Operations Supervisor
• Exercised: Provides lead direction, mentoring, and task coordination for Maintenance Technician I and II staff; no formal supervisory authority

Key Relationships

• Internal: Stormwater Crew members; Water Resources staff; Streets; Engineering; GIS; Environmental Programs.
• External: Property owners, contractors, regulatory inspectors (as directed)

Tools & Technology

• Vactor and jetting equipment
• Pumps and dewatering systems
• Chainsaws, trimmers, and vegetation removal tools
• CCTV inspection cameras
• Spill response kits
• Asset management and GIS mapping systems

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Work is performed in a variety of field, operational, or service environments, depending on assignment. Duties may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, traffic, equipment, uneven terrain, and other operational hazards. Work may require prolonged standing or walking, climbing, bending, kneeling, reaching, and heavy lifting, as well as the operation of tools, equipment, or vehicles. Some assignments may involve working in confined or restricted spaces.

Work schedules may include evenings, weekends, holidays, emergency response, or on-call assignments based on operational needs. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws.

Commitment to Equity, Safety, and Ethics

Employees are expected to perform their duties in a manner that supports equity, safety, integrity, and professionalism. This includes following all safety policies and procedures, treating coworkers and the public with respect, and conducting work ethically and responsibly.

Employees are expected to uphold public trust through fair, transparent, and lawful conduct and to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment.

The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.