Operator Intern Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Volunteer/Intern
Job Number: S0020-26M
Department: City of Tacoma - CITY WIDE LIST
Opening Date: 06/05/2026
Closing Date: 8/10/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Position Description
Explore TPU Internships: Intern Showcase & Career Pathways Event
You're invited to Tacoma Public Utilities' Intern Showcase, an open-house style opportunity to explore real intern projects, talk with current interns, and learn more about future internship pathways at TPU.
This 1:00 - 3:00 pm session is designed for prospective interns and community members who want to better understand what TPU internships look like in practice. During the event, you will be able to:

• Visit project stations hosted by current TPU interns
• See real internship work across technical, operational, community-focused, and administrative areas
• Ask current interns questions about their projects, learning experiences, and paths into TPU
• Connect with TPU staff and learn about pathways
• Learn how to prepare for future internship opportunities, including what makes a strong candidate and what to watch for in upcoming application cycles

This event is a low-pressure way to explore whether a future TPU internship could be a good next step in your career journey. You do not need prior utility experience to attend, just curiosity, questions, and interest in learning more.
Event Details
What: TPU Intern Showcase
Who: Community college, technical college, university students, and other prospective interns in 2027 opportunities
When: 1:00 - 3:00 pm, August 12, 2026
Where: Tacoma Public Utilities campus
Please "APPLY" to register, for future event communications, and so we can plan for space, materials, etc. We look forward to welcoming you and helping you explore future career pathways at TPU.
Selection Process & Supplemental Information
is almost 100% hydroelectric, municipally owned public power utility, located in Tacoma. We serve approximately 170,000 customers as one of the three operating divisions of Tacoma Public Utilities, alongside Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail. As one of the most livable, walkable cities in the country, you'll find that Tacoma is a great fit for all interests with places to bike, run, hike, and explore, the perks of a big city, and the charm of a small town.
has a proud tradition of operating and maintaining one of the country's oldest municipally owned water systems. We own and operate over $1 billion of assets that provide high-quality water to more than 320,000 direct service customers throughout Pierce and King counties. Our mission is to provide clean, reliable water now and in the future.
protects and restores natural resources, keeping our city clean, safe and livable through garbage and recycling pickup, wastewater treatment, household hazardous waste disposal, protection from stormwater pollution and much more. We believe everything we do supports healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound, leaving a better Tacoma for all.
representatives include experts in building code, land use and zoning, traffic, environmental services, private development, and right-of-way. Their mission is to partner with the community to build a livable, sustainable and safe City by providing strategic, timely, predictable, cost-effective planning and development services with a culture focused on community engagement, customer service, creativity, accountability and continuous improvement.
The and its employees tend to the infrastructure needs and the improvement of the City and its surroundings. They focus is on the safety, cleanliness and smooth function of our streets, buildings and additional facilities. Employee jobs cover a multitude of tasks that keep the city clean, safe and livable such as street maintenance, bridge construction, and maintenance of signs, signals and traffic lights, sidewalk construction and repair and so much more.
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:
** This event information page is managed by HR Analyst
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 age 26 or younger.
Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 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.
01
What best describes your current education or career stage?

• High school student
• Community or technical college student
• Four-year college/university student
• Graduate student
• Career changer/exploring a new field
• Other

02
If you marked "Other" above, please provide what your specific education or career stage is here.
03
If attending, which school, college, university, or program are you currently connected to?
04
Which TPU career areas are you most interested in learning about?

• Business Operations
• Engineering
• Skilled Trades/Apprenticeships
• Data, Technology, or Analytics
• Power or Energy Systems
• Water Systems
• Environmental or Natural Resources
• Customer Service
• Communications, Outreach, or Community Engagement
• Not sure yet (I'm exploring)
• Other

05
If you marked "Other" above, please provide your specific career area.
06
How did you first hear about the Intern Showcase? Select one.

• Community agency
• Church or faith-based organization
• Military organization
• Professional group or organization
• Job Interest Card notification
• City of Tacoma's LinkedIn page
• City of Tacoma employee
• Indeed
• Internet search
• Union job posting
• Online job board posting
• Word of mouth
• SEED
• TTEP (Tacoma Training and Education Program)
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Careers in Government
• Government Jobs
• Job fair or outreach Event
• Other

07
If you marked "Other" above, please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this event.
Required Question