Apprentice Civil Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The City of Port Townsend is recruiting to fill one opening in the Wastewater Treatment/Compost division of the Public Works Department. The position may be filled at either level described below, depending on qualifications. Complete job descriptions are available here. 

First review date is Monday, June 1, 2026.

Under general supervision by the division manager, performs the administrative tasks and physical labor related to the oversight, operations, and supervision of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and/or Compost Facility. Oversees a small team or crew to assign tasks, ensures the team or crew follows procedures, and ensures tasks are completed efficiently and correctly. Supervises the day-to-day operations of a small team or crew; keeps a close watch on activities and situations; and communicates observations to the division manager. This position leads the team without formal authority over employee performance reviews or disciplinary actions. The City of Port Townsend strives to provide quality and reliable infrastructure operations in service to the community and environment as the City looks toward a sustainable future.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT/COMPOST CREW CHIEF

$39.18-44.50 base pay range

$39.18-49.84 total pay range (with maximum potential longevity)

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid Washington State driver's license and ability to maintain a driving record acceptable to the City's insurance carrier
• WA State Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Group II or higher certification
• 10+ years of experience working at a classification II or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant with 5 or more years in a lead role or 2 or more years as a Wastewater Crew Chief Apprentice
• Certified Compost Facility Operator certification issued by Washington Organics Recycling Council
• First Aid/CPR certification or must obtain within 1 year of being in this position
• Flagger Training Certification within the first 6 months in this position
• Washington State CDL B or ability to obtain within 12 months in the position

Preferred

• Two years of vocational or college coursework in technical areas such as environmental science, civil engineering, and/or computer technology
• 10+ years of experience leading wastewater-related plant operations involving secondary treatment
• 5 years of supervisory experience
• WA State Group III or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification
• WA State Class A CDL

WASTEWATER TREATMENT/COMPOST CREW CHIEF APPRENTICE

$37.55-42.67 base pay range

$37.55-47.79 total pay range (with maximum potential longevity)

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid Washington State driver's license and ability to maintain a driving record acceptable to the City's insurance carrier
• WA State Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Group II or higher certification
• 10+ years of experience working at a classification II or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant with 3 or more years in a lead role
• Certified Compost Facility Operator certification issued by Washington Organics Recycling Council
• First Aid/CPR certification or must obtain within 1 year of being in this position
• Flagger Training Certification within the first 6 months in this position
• Washington State CDL B or ability to obtain within 12 months in the position

Preferred

• Two years of vocational or college coursework in technical areas such as environmental science, civil engineering, and/or computer technology
• 10+ years of experience leading wastewater-related plant operations involving secondary treatment
• 3+ years of supervisory experience
• WA State Group III or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certification
• WA State Class A CDL

Full job descriptions and requirements for both positions. 

BENEFITS

• WA State PERS retirement and optional 457 Deferred Comp
• Teamsters pension *
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance through WA Teamsters Welfare Trust Fund *
• Time loss/short-term disability insurance
• Life & AD&D insurance
• Sick leave (earns 1 day per month)
• May be eligible for sick leave conversion annually
• Vacation (graduated accrual schedule starts at 8 hours per month)
• 12 paid holidays
• Eligible for up to 3 floating holidays based on years of service 
• Up to 5 days of bereavement leave, if applicable
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

This position may be eligible for the additional compensation listed below. Details can be found in the Collective Bargaining Agreement: 

• Longevity pay on a graduated schedule starting at 2% after 5 years, up to 12% after 25 years
• Remote plant operations pay
• Emergency response pay
• Phone-watch pay
• Overtime pay or compensatory time
• Premium pay or compensatory time
• Jury duty pay at regular rate during service
• Call-back pay
• Standby pay

* Teamsters initiation fee is $100 and monthly dues are 2.25 of hourly wage x the base hourly rate rounded to the nearest dollar.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires being onsite and working in the field primarily in the plant and outdoors during all types of weather; repeated walking, bending, stooping, and lifting; the ability to occasionally lift up to 60 lbs.; vision and hearing at level required to perform essential functions (may be corrected); and a full range of motor skills; occasionally having to enter confined spaces using all necessary PPE to perform maintenance or repairs.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job-related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation (including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.