Utility Worker I - West Point

King County, WA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Pension plan

12 paid holidays

Flexible schedules

Job summary

King County Wastewater Treatment Division seeks a Utility Worker I to perform preventative maintenance and operate a wide range of equipment at the West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle. The role supports critical county services and requires flexibility to handle emergencies and diverse tasks.

You will work with a team to maintain facilities, gardens, and custodial spaces while following safety protocols and local regulations.

Qualifications

• Experience in operating hand and power tools and small/large equipment.
• Experience operating industrial steam cleaners and pressure washers.
• Ability to work in confined spaces and at heights with PPE.
• Demonstrates teamwork and inclusive workplace collaboration.
• Clear communication and ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

Responsibilities

• Assist with general preventive maintenance including gardening and custodial tasks.
• Operate equipment and vehicles such as hand/power tools, landscape gear, tractors, forklifts, cranes, vacuum trucks.
• Perform routine maintenance like changing bulbs, inspecting safety equipment, HVAC filters, hydrant inspections, cleaning facilities.
• Act as back-up for gardening, custodial, painting, and other support tasks.
• Respond to emergencies and unusual occurrences as needed.

Skills

Hand tools

Power tools

Maintenance

Teamwork

Communication

Tools

Landscape equipment

Forklifts

Tractors

Cranes

Vacuum trucks

Job description

This is a competitive posting, and is open to all qualified candidates. This recruitment will hire for 2 positions. In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Utility Worker I at West Point Career Service vacancies within the Wastewater Treatment Division over the next 6 months.

About The Role

As a Utility Worker for King County Wastewater Treatment Division, you will be involved in preventative maintenance of West Point buildings. As a Mission Critical, non-exempt employee, you will provide for and maintain critical functions of county services that must remain operational, emergencies such as floods, snow, and ice storms, etc. You will assist other staff in carrying out general preventive maintenance such as but not limited to gardening, and custodial restroom care cleaning, You will operate a variety of equipment, machinery and/or vehicles such as hand and power tools, landscape equipment, tractors, forklifts, cranes, vacuum trucks, backhoes, portable pumps, dump trucks, etc.

About The Team

Tucked away in Discovery Park Seattle, West Point Treatment Plant, is one of King County's three regional wastewater treatment plants and is the largest treatment plant in Washington state by volume. West Point cleans a combined flow of wastewater and stormwater through primary and secondary treatment processes. The West Point operations also include 20 pump stations and 23 regulator stations that send flow to the facility with approximately 150 employees who operate and maintain the plant. The plant also serves as a worksite for contraction management personnel and administrative staff. It has a diverse workforce dedicated to supporting the mission of the Wastewater Treatment Division by safely operating and maintaining the facility to comply with environmental regulations.

Commitment To Equity, Racial And Social Justice

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Utility Worker I, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Job Duties

• Assist other staff in carrying out general preventative maintenance such as, but not limited to, gardening, cleaning, operating equipment, and assisting operations and maintenance positions in accomplishing work assignments at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated facilities.
• Operate a variety of equipment, machinery, and/or vehicles such as hand and power tools, landscape equipment, tractors, forklifts, cranes, vacuum trucks, backhoes, portable pumps, dump trucks, pressure washers, etc.
• Perform light maintenance tasks such as, but not limited to, changing light bulbs, inspection of safety equipment, inspection of HVAC systems to change filters, fire hydrant inspections, sweeping and mopping and other custodial duties, washing windows, hosing, and cleaning facility exteriors.
• Act as back-up for specific gardening, custodial, painting, and other support assignments.
• Respond to unusual occurrences and assist in emergency situations.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Experience in the operation and use of hand and power tools, pneumatic tools and the operation of small and large equipment.
• Experience in the operation of industrial steam cleaners and pressure washers.
• Ability to work in confined space areas and at heights up to 30 feet with all required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
• Ability to work effectively with others in a work environment that embraces and encourages diversity in its workforce and where differences are valued.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to follow written instructions and verbal in-person and through communication devices.

Competencies You Bring

• Action Oriented: Identifies and seizes new opportunities; Displays a can-do attitude in good and bad times; Steps up to handle tough issues.
• Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Resourcefulness: Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

Required Licenses/Certifications

• A valid Washington State Driver's License

It Would Be Great If You Also Bring

• Forklift certification.
• Flagging and Traffic control certifications.
• Commercial Driver's License class A endorsement, with Tanker.
• Pesticide Spray License.
• Experience repairing membrane train modules in an Membrane Bioreactor treatment plant.

Physical Requirements

• Lifting up to 50 pounds, twisting, climbing, bending daily.

Workplace Exposures

• Working in a wastewater treatment environment with exposure to some wastewater pathogens and contaminates and chemistry.

Supplemental Information: Working Conditions

• Work Location: West Point Treatment Plant - 1400 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. The work schedule will be determined based on business needs. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible. The position requires the ability to work during adverse and inclement weather conditions.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. L925 (Wastewater Treatment Division).

Anticipated Timeline

• Technical Assessment: in-person/onsite assessment at West Point Treatment Plant - late September 2026
• Panel Interview: virtual interview - late September 2026

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us. King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE

• Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.