Senior Engineering Technician - Water

Salary Range

6,845.00 - 8,750.00

Job Summary

As one of the fastest growing cities in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver is building a city of the future through innovation, sustainable development, great leadership and working with an engaged community. Our growth is guided by our core values of livability, sustainability and resiliency, innovation, and equity and inclusion, and we accomplish our work through collaboration, innovation, compassion and empowerment. If who we are speaks to you, and if you're the type of person who is interested in joining a team responsible for ensuring the community receive meaningful, excellent water services then the City of Vancouver may be for you.

We're currently recruiting for a Senior Engineering Technician. The primary responsibilities for the job are to review development design projects to ensure consistency with City standards and codes and coordinate plan modification with developers and engineers. Support engineering staff in the preparation of plans and specifications on capital water system projects and other tasks as needed.

This is a full-time, regular, non-exempt union position. This position is covered under the provisions of an agreement between the City and the OPEI union. The schedule for this position is M-F, 8am to 5pm.

Open until filled. First review - May 11, 2026.

Job Details

Essential Functions:

• Research utility requirements for new developments and existing services; review utility plans from consultants and engineers to ensure consistency with City standards. Communicate required plan modifications with consultants and developers.
• Support the development of designs, drawings, specifications and bid documents for various water distribution capital projects.
• Maintain water department file management system. Develop and maintain filing procedures for all historical documents as well as new development and capital plans, specifications and related documents. Assist other City departments in locating records.
• Participate in the preparation of documents and related procedures relative to Public Works Capital Improvement Projects including public meeting information, plans and bid documents. Coordinate public works projects with applicable city, state and federal officials and other relevant agencies and parties.
• Collect field data, verify conditions, note potential or developing problems, make recommendations and carry out other duties related to capital and private development design and construction projects. Drive a City vehicle in a safe and appropriate manner between work sites.
• Respond to customer and public inquiries and complaints; explain and interpret codes, policies, standards, fees, and procedures to members of the public, contractors, engineers, architects and other public or utility organization employees to resolve problems, improve their understanding of City programs, and to ensure adherence to procedures in complex technical matters.
• Respond to public or other inquires relative to engineering policies and procedures on specific projects, system problem areas, and other divisional information.
• Review capital projects from other departments or agencies including overlays, roadway construction, freeways, bridges, sewer, storm projects. Gather information and evaluate conflicts with existing water infrastructure.
• Provide support to department engineers on special requests (i.e. spreadsheet development, map development).
• Research water department related easements, as-builts, surveys and infrastructure for requesting City departments and external customers.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience and Education

• Two (2) years of increasingly technical experience supporting utility engineering or related discipline. One (1) year of development and/or capital project plan review. One (1) year of AutoCAD work including pipe networks .
• Equivalent to an Associate's Degree from an accredited college with major course work in engineering or a related field.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Computer Skills

• Intermediate skills in AutoCAD
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Basic skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS/ArcMap)

Required Licenses and/or Certifications - possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.

Knowledge

• Engineering plans and reports, methods and techniques of engineering plan review, and basic engineering standards
• Working knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of civil engineering, including water system hydraulics and water utility design
• AutoCAD as it relates to the design of pipe networks
• Materials, methods, safety standards, and techniques related to water system construction
• Terminology, methods, practices and techniques of engineering plan review, drafting, computer aided design, and geographic information systems
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Use of personal computers and basic software

Abilities

• Review and prepare accurate engineering records

• Communicate policies and procedures to developers, consultants, contractors, property owners, customers and parties of interest

• Clearly present technical information in oral, written and graphic forms; speak in front of groups; cope with conflict and disgruntled customers

• Read and interpret various kinds of maps, engineering drawings, construction plans and other technical materials and documents, such as specifications, engineering manuals, survey information, computer manuals, engineering code provisions, state and federal guidelines

• Learn and apply local, state and federal regulations relating to water distribution, production and treatment capital projects

• Support civil engineering design and drafting work

• Work independently in the absence of supervision

• Interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing

• Demonstrate good judgment and decision making

• Operate a personal computer and appropriate software

• Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver's Operating Principles

• Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees

• Provide a high level of customer service at all times

• Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work

• Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others

• Consistently provide quality service

• Maintain regular and dependable attendance

• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive

• Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player

• Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.

• Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.

• Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk. Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.

This position is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment reference check, a basic criminal background check, and a driving abstract.

The City of Vancouver is committed to advancing equity and creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We recognize that progress depends on more than just a verbal commitment; it depends on making meaningful organizational change. We developed and continue to develop strategies to enhance employee-centered programs, eliminate recruitment and advancement barriers, elevate employee understanding of DEI and cultural competency and build an inclusive and welcoming place to call work. We hope you'll consider joining us on the journey!

Safety: The City of Vancouver believes every employee plays a role in maintaining a safe workplace. The City of Vancouver promotes safety as a guiding principle and practice and accomplishes work by creating safe work environments, complying with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently seeking improvements that support operational excellence.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the City of Vancouver, we value and foster a workplace comprised of people with a range of different backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is key to innovation, effectiveness and a positive culture. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Vancouver is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability sexual orientation or gender identity. Employment decisions will be made to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.

Veterans' Preference: Under Washington law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans' preference when applying for City of Vancouver positions. Honorably discharged Veterans, their surviving spouses or spouses of honorably discharged Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this job should provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the City can reasonably provide them without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 360-487-8417 or email hrfront1@cityofvancouver.us

Job Posting End Date

Open Until Filled