• Job Description

  Req#: 5397485
  Salary: $46.06 - $57.57 Hourly
  Location : City of Sumner - City Hall, WA
  Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
  Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
  Job Number: 202600216
  Department: Public Works
  Division: Engineering
  Opening Date: 07/02/2026
  Closing Date: 7/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
  
  Description
  Hiring Range: $46.06 - $51.49, with growth to $57.57
  Do you love solving problems, working on projects that make a real difference, and seeing your work come to life? Join the City of Sumner as our next Engineering Specialist! In this entry-level engineering role, you'll help deliver public works projects that keep our community moving; from streets and sidewalks to utilities and infrastructure. You'll work alongside a supportive team, collaborate with consultants and contractors, and even get out into the field to see projects in action.
  
  At Sumner, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact while enjoying a workplace that values innovation, teamwork, and work-life balance. If you're ready to launch your engineering career where your work truly matters, we'd love to meet you!
  General Purpose:
  
  This position is a full-time, Fair Labor Standards Act non-exempt position. The regular work schedule for the Engineering Specialist position is Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Alternative and hybrid work schedules may be available. Attendance at evening meetings or other off-duty events may be necessary on rare occasions. This is not a Civil Service position.
  
  The Engineering Specialist position is an entry-level position completing professional and administrative work. Under the general direction of the City Engineer or designee, this position assists with planning, designing, organizing, coordinating and maintaining project and maintenance work for the Engineering division. This position does not supervise staff.
  
  About Sumner:
  The City of Sumner's vision is to set the standard of excellence for a progressive small city. In working to achieve that vision, Sumner prioritizes and celebrates diverse perspectives, life experiences and differences. The City actively seeks and encourages people with diverse backgrounds and characteristics to apply and all come together with a goal of continuing to learn and improve to better serve the residents, businesses and visitors of our community. Sumner remains a traditional city of just over 11,000 residents with agricultural roots, known for decades as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World. At the same time, its compact, walkable layout aligns perfectly with progressive planning trends, as its classic Main Street becomes repurposed for boutiques, independent restaurants and daily services such as legal offices, financial advisors and doctors. While Sumner retains historic neighborhoods of Craftsman houses and an active high school right on Main Street, it also offers over 16,000 manufacturing and distribution jobs for companies such as REI, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Amazon.com, and Dillanos Coffee Roasters. With a downtown Sound Transit station with buses and trains, it is well connected to the Puget Sound region while striving to be a full-service city with the largest YMCA facility in the state of Washington as well as a link trail system that will connect the Foothills and Interurban trails. Like the community, the city government is large enough to be professional but small enough to be creative. The City has won a variety of awards from the Governor's Smart Planning Award to recognition at the International Association of Chiefs of Police for its groundbreaking police work on victims' assistance. With a strong mayor format, the City has just over 140 employees who operate a cemetery, wastewater treatment facility, accredited police department, animal shelter, parks, senior center, full service public works and administration.
  About the City of Sumner Public Works Department:
  The Sumner Public Works Department is responsible for maintenance, operations, and capital improvement projects for the City of Sumner facilities, rights-of-way, and water, sewer and stormwater utilities. Through the hard work and efforts of over 40 FTE's, the Department simultaneously manages tens of millions of dollars of capital projects; 120 lane-miles of roadways and adjoining sidewalks, hundreds of miles of wet utilities, well and spring water sources, over 50 stormwater outfalls; and operates the City's 6.1 MGD (Maximum Month Design Flow) Wastewater Treatment Facility.
  
  Check out all of the exciting projects that Public Works and other departments are working on by visiting:
  
  Examples of Duties
  The job duties and responsibilities represented in this job description in no way imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by a supervisor. While requirements may be representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty with proficiency.
  
  Listed below are examples of typical duties:
  
  • Conducts a variety of organizational studies as directed.
  • Assists in the preparation and review of public works plans, specifications, and contracts for various construction projects.
  • Administers projects from initiation through project completion.
  • Coordinates engineering support and projects performed by other City departments.
  • Assists in coordinating the activities of the division.
  • Meets and works with engineering consultants, contractors, state and federal agency representatives, developers and the general public.
  • Performs on-site inspection of public works construction projects.
  • Attends public meetings to receive and provide information.
  • Provides input for the development and administration of the department budgets, monitor, prepare and submit periodic budget updates, and monitor assigned performance measures.
  • Seeks grants for Public Works and other activities, writes grant applications and performs proper follow-up.
  • Manages administrative reporting of CIP Grants.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  Qualifications
  Education and Experience: Any combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the listed necessary knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.
  
  • Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management or related engineering field is required.
  • Civil engineering work experience of a municipal nature is preferred.
  
  Special Requirements:
  
  • Possession of, or ability to acquire, a valid Washington State driver's license with record free from serious or frequent violations.
  
  Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  
  Knowledge of:
  
  • Principles and practices of Civil Engineering.
  • Correct English language usage, including grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
  • Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, report preparation and presentation.
  
  Ability to:
  
  • Complete field visits of construction projects and existing municipal infrastructure.
  • Perform engineering effort of a municipal nature.
  • Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
  • Follow policies and procedures.
  • Read, interpret, apply, and explain rules, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Use interpersonal skills with tact, patience and courtesy.
  • Prioritize and schedule work.
  • Work independently with direction and oversight.
  • Develop and maintain a positive working relationship with all City departments.
  • Perform a variety of administrative duties in support of assigned activities.
  • Ensure compliance with City ordinances with consistency and impartiality.
  • Analyze situations accurately and recommend an effective course of action.
  • Provide excellent customer service by using a friendly, professional, and accurate and customer orientated approach to a wide variety of customers, including but not limited to contractors, architects, business owners, government officials, general public and other staff.
  • Maintain reliable and dependable attendance.
  • Contribute to achieving the City's mission, vision and values.
  
  Supplemental Information
  Physical Requirements:
  Requirements outlined in this job description may be modified to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for employment in this position. However, some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
  Description of Work Environment: While performing duties of this job, the employee works primarily in an office environment, however, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level of the construction sites are typical of most construction sites and environments. Fieldwork includes the exposure to noise, nuisance dust, noxious and toxic gases and vapors, traffic, active utility lines and other related construction-type job hazards.
  
  Positions in this class typically require stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, mobility, fingering, grasping, talking, seeing, hearing, walking, climbing, and crawling.
  
  Medium work: Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
  Selection Guidelines:
  Selection is based on a formal application, evaluation of education and experience, oral interviews, and reference checks. Job-related testing and assessments may also be required.
  
  This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not constitute an employment contract between the employer and employee. The employer reserves the right to modify or amend the job description at any time, as organizational needs and position requirements evolve.
  Background checks may include:
  
  • Prior Employment Verification: confirms applicant's employment with the listed companies, including dates of employment, position held and additional information available pertaining to performance rating, reason for departure and eligibility for rehire. This verification will be run on the past three employers or the previous five years, whichever comes first.
  • Personal and Professional References: calls will be placed to individuals listed as references by the applicant.
  • Employment Eligibility Verification: Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.
  • Educational Verification: confirms the applicant's claimed educational institution, including the years attended and the degree/diploma received.
  
  
  • Criminal History: includes review of criminal convictions and probation. The following factors will be considered for applicants with a criminal history:
  
  
  
  • The nature of the crime and its relationship to the position.
  • The time since the conviction.
  • The number (if more than one) of convictions.
  • Whether hiring, transferring or promoting the applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees or its customers and vendors.
  
  The following additional background searches will be required if applicable to the position:
  
  • Motor Vehicle Records: provides a report on an individual's driving history in the state requested. This search will be run when driving is an essential requirement of the position.
  • Credit History: confirms candidate's credit history. This search will be run for positions that involve management of City of Sumner funds and/or handling of cash or credit cards.
  
  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
  Equal Opportunity Employer:
  
  The City is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, terminates and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants on the basis of job-related qualifications and competence. These policies shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, sensory, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation including gender expression and identity, genetic information, domestic violence victim or other basis prohibited by law.
  
  Persons needing assistance in the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 253-299-5595 or email hr@sumnerwa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.
  Drug Free Workplace:The City of Sumner is a drug free workplace. The City is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, free from employees whose job performance may be impaired by the use of prescription, nonprescription, over-the-counter drugs, illegal controlled substances, marijuana and alcohol.
  
  General Hiring Process Information:
  • Candidates must submit required documents as outlined in the job announcement in order to be considered.
  • Submitting a cover letter and resume is not required but is recommended.
  • Applicants must provide professional references with accurate phone numbers and email addresses. References will only be contacted for applicants who progress past the interview process.
  • If multiple applications are received for the same candidate, only the most recently submitted, complete application will be considered.
  • Applications received by the review date will be screened for minimum qualifications and then submitted to a Subject Matter Expert to select which candidates will be invited to interview. Personally identifiable information is removed from the applications during the screening process.
  • Applicants who are invited to interview will receive notification by email and are typically provided at least one weeks' notice prior to the scheduled interview date.
  • Applicants who are not invited to interview will be notified by email.
  • Remote interviews may be available for candidates unable to participate in person, remote interviews are held through an online meeting platform such as Microsoft Teams.
  • Applicants who pass the interview process may be invited back for a second interview with the department leads or for a walking interview through the department.
  • Applicants who did not pass the interview process will be notified by email.
  
  The City of Sumner provides full time, permanent employees with excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and LEOFF plan for Police; advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.
  
  Medical Coverage: The City provides Regence High Deductible Medical Plan coverage for eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger. The City contributes each year to the employee's Health Savings Account. Employer contributions to the HSA are pro-rated for employees starting after the first of the year.
  
  Employees eligible for representation by the Teamsters Union are covered by the Teamsters Medical Trust.
  
  Dental Coverage: Delta Dental insurance is covered at 100% For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.
  
  Vision Coverage: VSP $0 cost share plan is provided for eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
  
  Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to receive paid holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type. Regular full time employees earn PTO upon hire and increases with additional years of service.
  Our City Code explains the leave benefits and holidays in more detail:
  For positions eligible for union representation, the current collective bargaining agreements can be found on our City Website's employment page:
  
  Insurance Plans: All full-time, permanent employees are covered by a long-term disability plan through the Hartford at no cost to the employee.
  All full-time, permanent employees are covered by a $50,000 or $80,000 (police) Life Insurance plan at no cost to the employee.
  
  Deferred Compensation 457(b): Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income. The City makes a flat monthly contribution of $185 for non-police positions and $250 for police represented positions. There is no contribution requirement on behalf of the employee.
  
  Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police are included in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Police Officers are included in the DRS LEOFF2 plan. For more information about DRS including current rates visit:
  
  Other Employment Information
  
  Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis(every other Friday).
  
  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 or collective bargaining agreement.
  
  Union Affiliation: Some job classifications are eligible for union membership.
  
  Union Collective Bargaining Agreements: Find the CBA's on our employment site here:
  
  Still have questions? Visit our FAQ Page:
  
  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
  
  Supplemental Questionnaire Instructions: The City of Sumner uses the Supplemental Questionnaire as part of the selection process. Your responses are used to determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements to compete in this process, and to measure your knowledge, skills, abilities, and essential functions critical to successful performance in this position. Answering "see resume" or "see above" does not qualify as a valid answer. Your responses should be concise, yet in sufficient detail to clearly indicate the nature and extent of your qualifications in the required area. Mark yes to indicate that you have read and understand the instructions above.
  • Yes
  • No
  
  02
  
  Do you have experience working in civil engineering?
  • Yes
  • No
  
  03
  
  If yes, briefly describe your civil engineering experience, including your employer(s), your role, and the types of projects you worked on.
  04
  
  Do you possess a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related engineering field?
  • Yes
  • No
  
  05
  
  If you answered "No", please describe your education and experience that qualifies for this position.
  06
  
  Have you ever assisted with grant administration, grant writing, capital improvement projects (CIP), budgeting, or project tracking? If yes, describe your experience.
  07
  
  Describe your experience conducting field inspections or visiting construction sites. What types of inspections did you perform, and how did you document or communicate your findings?
  Required Question

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