City Inspector Jobs in Kent, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $98,280.00 - $138,320.00 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: P1600-26B
Department: City of Tacoma - CITY WIDE LIST
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 9/15/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Position Description
Are you passionate about environmental stewardship, public service, and making a lasting impact in the communities you serve? Tacoma Power is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Regulatory Compliance Analyst, Senior to help lead environmental compliance efforts for one of the largest municipally owned multi-service utilities in Washington State.
As part of Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU), Tacoma Power proudly delivers nearly 100% hydroelectric power to more than 180,000 customers throughout the region. TPU's integrated utility services - including Power, Water, and Rail - play a vital role in supporting the health, sustainability, and economic vitality of the communities we serve every day.
This is more than a compliance role - it is an opportunity to help protect natural resources, strengthen public trust, support critical infrastructure, and shape environmental leadership across the Pacific Northwest.
Why Join Tacoma Public Utilities?
At TPU, our work directly impacts people's daily lives. From delivering reliable clean energy and safe drinking water to supporting regional transportation and economic growth, we are deeply committed to serving our communities responsibly and sustainably.
As a Regulatory Compliance Analyst, Senior, you will help ensure TPU continues to operate with environmental integrity, regulatory excellence, and community accountability. Your work will contribute to cleaner air, healthier waterways, safer operations, and responsible environmental management that benefits current and future generations.
Located in beautiful Tacoma, Washington, you'll enjoy access to a vibrant, walkable city with incredible outdoor recreation, diverse neighborhoods, thriving arts and culture, and easy access to the Puget Sound and Pacific Northwest landscapes.
What You'll Do
In this highly visible and collaborative role, you will work directly with Tacoma Public Utilities staff at all levels of the organization to develop, lead, and coordinate complex environmental compliance programs, regulatory initiatives, and environmental response activities across Tacoma Power, Water, and Rail operations and facilities.
Environmental Compliance Leadership
Builds and leads interdisciplinary teams consisting of city staff and others in completing environmental projects and programs. Analyze situations accurately, adopts and communicates effective courses of action, development, implementation and management of environmental compliance programs related to:
Clean Air Act Programs

• Air modeling review and plan management

• Emissions (including Greenhouse Gases) tracking, reduction, and reporting.
• Lead, asbestos, and demolishing notification process.
• Secure and maintain any required permitting, registrations, and associated requirements for TPU Air program management. Including permit required plan development, develop training materials/content, report development, review and submittal
• Work directly with TPU operations staff to ensure effective implementation of compliance program requirements
• Oversee and manage inspection and sampling activities.
• Act as primary contact person for TPU facilities associated with agency communication, compliance inspections, enforcement, and consultation activities

Environmental Remediation & Site Management
Lead Environmental site investigations and remediation activities under:

• Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA)
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing site management, coordination with TPU management, site investigation and remediation plan development and review,
• Evaluation of site condition data, evaluation of options and proposing recommendations, project specific scope, schedule, and budget development and management,

• Coordinating Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) and Agreed Order site activities
• Managing environmental data, field documentation, and laboratory analytical results

• Supporting long-term site remediation and compliance strategies
• Overseeing and managing agency communications,
• Reporting, notifications, and associated paperwork/records.
• Participate in all Utility Real Estate purchase and sale processes to identify, evaluate, manage, and communicate any potential site conditions liability
• Utilize consulting and remediation contracts.
• Act as primary contact person for TPU facilities associated with agency communication, compliance inspections, enforcement, and consultation activities

Emergency Spill Response & Environmental Incident Management

• Develop, administer, and continuously improve TPU's environmental spill response and incident management program, establishing consistent requirements, processes, procedures, roles, and responsibilities across TPU operations. Work with TPU divisions, operations, emergency response personnel to ensure alignment of response across related programs.
• Interpret applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and translate them into practical incident notification, reporting, response, investigation, documentation, and corrective-action procedures.
• Develop and maintain environmental incident management plans, procedures, protocols, and guidance, coordinate with other City Environmental Program managers to ensure alignment with applicable permits, SPCC plans, emergency response requirements, and TPU policies.
• Develop and maintain program performance measures and reporting tools to monitor incidents, identify trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and communicate environmental incident management performance to TPU leadership.
• Develop and administer spill response and environmental incident management training and preparedness programs, including training requirements, materials, exercises, and documentation.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement, including conducting periodic program reviews, assessing compliance gaps, incorporating lessons learned, and updating program requirements and procedures.
• Participate in afterhours emergency spill on-call duties
• Supervise cleanup activities in the field with utility crews, contract crews, and on call environmental contractor/consultant.
• Collect and submit samples for laboratory analysis as required for cleanup and waste designation.
• Compile site assessment, cleanup field notes, and laboratory analytical results.
• Prepare, review, approve, and submit required spill response and cleanup reports.

Key Responsibilities
Project Management & Program Coordination

• Lead complex environmental compliance projects and studies
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and implementation strategies
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and stakeholder engagement
• Monitor project performance and ensure successful outcomes
• Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, permit conditions, and organizational standards

Technical Analysis & Environmental Reporting

• Research, interpret, and analyze complex environmental and scientific data
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities for operational improvement
• Develop recommendations and compliance strategies for leadership
• Review laboratory and field testing results for regulatory compliance
• Prepare and oversee technical reports, plans, permits, and specifications
• Respond to complex scientific and regulatory inquiries

The Impact You'll Make
This position plays a critical role in helping Tacoma Public Utilities:

• Protect public health and the environment
• Maintain regulatory excellence and operational integrity
• Advance sustainability and environmental stewardship initiatives
• Support safe and reliable utility services
• Strengthen community trust and public accountability

Your work will directly contribute to the quality of life of the communities we serve - helping ensure clean air, protected waterways, responsible environmental management, and resilient utility infrastructure for generations to come.
If you are looking for a meaningful career where your expertise can make a visible difference in your community while working alongside dedicated public service professionals, we encourage you to apply.
Qualifications
Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in environmental science, natural resources, chemistry, biology or directly related field
Minimum Experience*
4 years of professional-level experience in environmental science or natural resources compliance, planning or mitigation
Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Washington State Driver's License
*Relevant education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.
Selection Process & Supplemental Information
A Commitment to Equity & Diversity
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. 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.
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.
The Community
Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.
With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!
View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma:
Apply
All interested individuals mustapply online and attach a resume and cover letter that includes major responsibilities and accomplishments related to the position.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their supplemental question responses reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts as part of the civil service examination. Applicants who pass the examination will be placed on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration.
Appointment is subject to passing a background check. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Annual Salary: $98,280.00 - $138,320.00
Examination Process:This is a competitive selection process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to Supplemental Questions # 6-9 reviewed and scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test. It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers. DO NOT respond with see resume in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a failing score.
Per City of Tacoma Personnel Management Policy #170, the City of Tacoma is a drug-free work environment. Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background and references check.
Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates and appointment is subject to passing a background check.
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