Water Professional Engineer

Job Description:

Water Professional Engineer

Description

Position Description

Tacoma Water is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Project Engineer (Professional Engineer) to support drinking water capital projects located throughout Tacoma Water’s system. This position is responsible for design, engineering, project management, and procurement-related work for a wide range of potable water infrastructure projects.

The Project Engineer works independently, leads multidisciplinary project teams, and plays a key role in delivering capital improvements that protect public health and support long-term system reliability. This position applies professional engineering judgment, manages projects from concept through closeout, and ensures compliance with applicable state and local regulations, internal policies, and industry standards.

This position may be eligible to telework up to two days per week following the training and onboarding period of approximately three months.

Primary Responsibilities
Engineering & Technical Leadership

• Apply engineering principles and professional judgment to advise and guide departmental activities.
• Prepare or oversee the preparation of engineering plans, specifications, calculations, reports, and as-built documentation.
• Stamp and sign engineering documents as required under RCW 18.43 and WAC 196.
• Ensure projects comply with state and local regulations, internal policies and procedures, and AWWA guidelines for potable water system improvements administered by the Washington State Department of Health.
• Review and coordinate technical work prepared by consultants, contractors, and vendors.

Project Management

• Manage all phases of the project lifecycle, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closeout.
• Develop or oversee project charters, business cases, studies, project management plans, schedules, and cost estimates.
• Oversee permitting, procurement, construction submittals, responses to construction questions, change management, and closeout documentation.
• Prepare contract award documents and present recommendations to the Public Utility Board and City Council as required.
• Provide informational presentations to boards, partners, or other stakeholders when needed.

Financial & Budget Management (Financial Agent)

• Serve as the financial agent for assigned projects.
• Create and maintain, or coordinate the creation and maintenance of, project budgets, contracts, amendments, purchase requisitions, and related documentation.
• Review and approve contract invoices, payments, and purchasing documents.
• Track project expenditures, interpret financial reports, and ensure costs are allocated accurately and timely.
• Coordinate accounting and administrative functions to close projects.

Reporting & Documentation

• Research, analyze, and compile technical and financial data into reports in accordance with department standards.
• Coordinate, review, and comment on reports prepared by consultants or vendors.
• Prepare and submit reports to the Washington State Department of Health as required.

Permitting & Regulatory Compliance

• Coordinate and oversee the acquisition of all required state and local permits.
• Understand and apply environmental and regulatory requirements, including SEPA, Construction Stormwater and Wastewater permits, and Right-of-Way (ROW) permits..
• Update plans, specifications, and practices to ensure compliance with permit requirements.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
4 years of professional-level engineering experience

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Washington State Licensed Professional Engineer and maintenance thereafter**

AS ASSIGNED:
Washington State Driver's License
Depending on the position, additional licenses and/or certifications may also be required

* Relevant education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.
**6-month grace period allowable to transfer PE license from another state to WA

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.
Apply

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Hourly Rate: $58.70 - $82.67
Annual Salary: $122,096.00 - $171,953.60

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 2/11/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$122,096.00 - $171,953.60 Annually