Seattle Public Utilities
Water Pipe Worker
Position Description
An Online application and response to the supplemental questionnaire must be completed for consideration
Are you interested in a career that protects public health and clean water? If so, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is presently seeking several regular Water Pipe Workers to work in the Water Transmission and Distribution Division of the Water Line of Business. Water Pipe Workers support in the construction, maintenance and operation of the water transmission and water distribution system. These positions will report to Water Pipe Crew Chiefs. The Water Operations and System Maintenance has four different reporting locations spread throughout Seattle and King County. You may be assigned to work at any of these four reporting locations:
- Lake Youngs (16205 SE Old Petrovitsky Rd, Renton)
- Tolt Facility (13510 Carnation-Duvall Rd, Duvall)
- North Operation Center (1318 N 128th St, Seattle)
- Operation Control Center (2700 Airport Way S, Seattle)
About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.6 million customers in the region. SPU’s work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.
For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), check out the:
SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.
Why join us?
We know work isn’t only about what you do it’s also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including:
- Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
- Generous benefits package
- Free public transportation options
- City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
- Growth potential and advancement opportunities
Job Responsibilities
- Plans and initiates the renewal and installation of industrial and domestic water services including water mains, fire protection services and large meters of customers ensuring federal safe water guidelines are followed.
- Perform service turn on and shut offs; detects, locates and repairs leaks and breaks in pipelines and water mains; and maintains fire systems and hydrants.
- Excavates and backfills streets and sidewalks at the installation site using jackhammers, clay guns, backhoes, and other tools.
- Establishes traffic control at work sites in compliance with IAW Municipal Uniform Control Manual and Washington State DOT guidelines for protection of crews and pedestrians and clean up job sites.
- Maintains inventory of tools, equipment, and supplies on trucks; inventories, requisitions, and assembles proper materials for specific jobs; keeps track of tools/items needed for each job; and inspects all tools for proper operation and fullness.
- Operates a variety of equipment including service trucks, dump trucks, hydro-lifts with trailers, truck mounted cranes, backhoes, dozers, graders and tractor mowers, water tapping machines, pipe cutters, valve machines, welding devices and had tools. Inspects service trucks for proper operation and needed maintenance.
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.
Qualifications
Experience: Two years of experience in the installation, maintenance and repairs of water mains, water distribution and/or transmission systems and their related facilities Or two years of pipefitting, plumbing, boiler making experience (Or)
Completion of the Seattle Public Utilities’ two-year Water Pipe Worker Apprenticeship program, or a closely related apprenticeship program will be evaluated as equivalent to the minimum experience requirement.
Equivalency: Other combinations of appropriate education, training, certification, and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability to the minimum education and experience requirements.
License and Certification Requirements: Valid Washington State Driver’s License is required.
Water Pipe Worker must obtain within four months of employment a Washington State Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class B and maintain their eligibility to hold a commercial driver license and drive a commercial vehicle in Washington State.
Training for the CDL License will be provided on the job for those hired.
The ideal candidate should possess:
- Knowledge of water supply and distribution systems.
- Experience with maintenance of water lines and related equipment.
- Good written and oral communication skills.
- Good interpersonal skills, ability to work with people from diverse professional, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and a desire to learn new skills.
Work Environment/Physical Demands:
- Required to be on call 24 hours/day to respond to emergency situations.
- Must be willing to work all shifts, including stand-by, weekends, evenings and holidays as required.
- Required to handle or work around toxic/hazardous substances.
- Required to work outdoors at times in all types of weather conditions around heavy equipment and high-pressure tools, exposed to City traffic, chemical fumes, contaminated soil and loud noise from equipment, trucks and turbines.
- Digging, bending, stooping and lifting objects weighing in excess of 50 lbs. is required.
Additional Information
Application Requirements:
- An online application must be fully completed for consideration. Please do not attach resume or cover letters as they will not be considered in the review of candidate’s qualifications.
- As a part of the application process, you must submit with your application your current “Full” driving record from the state where you are licensed to drive. Your current record must be dated within 30 days of the date you apply.
- Failure to submit your “Full” driving abstract with your application will result being rejected as incomplete.
Pre-Employment/Pre-Placement Requirements:
- A hands-on working test and interview will be administered as part of this hiring process.
- SPU’s safety program requires pre-employment physical as a condition of employment in this position.
The full salary range for this position is $38.62 – $44.26 per hour.
Benefits: 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:
Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle 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.
If you have any questions, please contact Uma Suseelan at Uma.Suseelan@seattle.gov
Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities at our web page www.seattle.gov/util/.