Senior Maintenance & Operations Specialist - Surface Water

City of Tukwila; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Tukwila is seeking a Surface Water - Senior Maintenance and Operations Specialist in the Public Works Department. This journey-level position leads projects and performs specialized maintenance on municipal stormwater and drainage systems to prevent flooding and protect water quality.

Under supervision of the Water Superintendent, the ideal candidate will manage storm water programs, coordinate resources, and ensure safety and compliance while serving a diverse community.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required with three years of specialized maintenance/operations experience in surface water.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered to meet required knowledge and abilities.
• Must possess valid Driver's License and CDL endorsements as applicable.
• Waste Water Certificate II and CESCL certification within six months of hire are preferred or required if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Performs maintenance, safety inspections, and testing of facilities, equipment, and systems requiring specialized knowledge.
• Troubleshoots, diagnoses, and repairs equipment; determines repair, replacement, or upgrade needs.
• Maintains and analyzes reports and records; may assist with plans and specifications for projects.
• Operates, maintains, and repairs specialized equipment and instruments.
• Responds to inquiries, complaints, and service requests for the assigned field.
• Directs and controls traffic; handles cones and signs; manages lane closures as needed.
• Coordinates availability of materials and equipment for service and maintenance requirements.
• Serve as a lead worker on projects, planning, scheduling, and assigning work.

Skills

Maintenance & inspections

Troubleshooting

Use of hand & power tools

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Communication (oral & written)

Independent work

Computers & records

Education

High School Diploma or GED

3 years of specialized surface water maintenance/operations experience

Tools

CDE/ESD Lead knowledge

Job description

Description
The City of Tukwila is seeking a

Description
The City of Tukwila is seeking a Surface Water - Senior Maintenance and Operations Specialist in the Public Works Department. The Senior Maintenance and Operations Specialist performs highly specialized, journey level activities in area of assignment and serves as a lead on projects.
Under the general supervision of the Water Superintendent, this position will assist in maintaining and repairing municipal stormwater and drainage systems to prevent flooding and protect local water quality. The ideal candidate should be highly motivated, well rounded, and knowledgeable in managing storm water and protecting surface waters with the ability to effectively work in a multicultural workplace with a diverse customer base.

About Tukwila: 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, 17miles 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.

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

Our 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 the Public Works Department: Public Works 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 divisions through the management and maintenance of the City's vehicles and facilities assets.

Salary Range: $7,085.00 - $8,611.00 per month.

Note: We don’t typically hire at the top of the range. This position is represented by Teamsters 763

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 [e-mail]. This recruitment is open and continuous until filled, with a first review of candidates on September 8, 2026.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Performs maintenance, safety inspections, and testing of facilities, equipment, and systems requiring specialized knowledge in order to determine normal operating parameters.
• Follows specialized troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures to determine malfunction cause and repair needs of systems and equipment, to include determining whether to repair, replace, or upgrade components and systems.
• Evaluates performance of assigned field, to include compiling information and analyzing the effectiveness of service delivery; develops and maintains a variety of reports, records, and notes; may assist with review of plans and specifications for construction projects and attends pre-construction meetings when applicable.
• Operates, maintains, and repairs specialized equipment and instruments.
• Responds to inquiries, complaints, and service requests for assigned field.
• Directs and controls traffic, to include placing traffic cones and signs; flagging traffic; and closing lanes and streets.
• Coordinates the availability of materials and equipment for service and maintenance requirements.
• Maintains reasonable, predictable, and regular attendance during the standard work week.
• Inventories supplies and makes minor purchases as needed.
• Serves as a lead worker to skilled staff or on projects, to include planning, scheduling, and assigning work projects.
• Spill response and clean up, and training employees in the proper use of spill response supplies;
• Inspect a variety of public and private surface water infrastructure to ensure compliance with maintenance schedules and code;
• Assist in stream and surface water quality monitoring and illicit discharge tracking and detection.
• Performs duties as Acting Maintenance and Operations Foreman as required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry):

• Terminology, methods, materials, practices, and techniques in area of assignment;
• Maintenance and repair methods and techniques in area of assignment;
• Occupational hazards present, and safety precautions applicable to area of assignment;
• Tools and equipment used in area of assignment;
• Confined Space safety regulations;
• Laws and regulations applicable to assigned area; and
• Troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures related to systems maintained
• Codes, laws, regulations, and ordinances governing surface water systems; and
• Sediment and erosion control techniques.

SKILLS (position Requirements At Entry)

• Performing skilled and highly specialized maintenance and inspection activities related to area of assignment;
• Troubleshooting, diagnosing, and repairing equipment;
• Using electronic instruments and hand and power tools;
• Applying customer service techniques;
• Establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels and with the public;
• Communication, both oral and written, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction;
• Working independently at times with little supervision, exercising initiative and sound judgment;
• Using computers and related software applications; and
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records

Education, Experience And Other Requirements High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and three years of specialized maintenance or operations experience in area of Surface Water; 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. (Note: This position may require additional licensing such as Waste Water Certificate II, Water Manager II, Certified Erosion & Sediment Control Lead.)

• Valid Driver's License with applicable Commercial Driver License endorsements;
• Flagging Card; and
• First Aid and CPR certification;
• Waste Water Certificate II within 6 months of hire.
• Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead within 6 months of hire.

2025 Coverage Level

HMA Employee Monthly Cost Share

Kaiser Employee Monthly Cost Share

Employee only $50.28

Employee & Spouse (or DP) $105.91

Employee, Spouse (or DP), 1 Child $131.95

Employee, Spouse (or DP) and 2 or more Children $153.28

Employee, 1 Child $76.32

Employee and 2 or more Children $97.65

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.

01

Describe your experience responding to spills, including the types of materials involved, the steps you took to contain and clean the spill, and any reporting or documentation you completed.

02

Explain your experience with illicit discharge detection or investigations.

03

This position may require serving as a Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL). Please describe any experience you have in erosion and sediment control, including whether you currently hold a CESCL certification, the types of sites you have monitored, and the compliance actions you performed.

• Required Question