Why Tumwater?
Tumwater is more than just a city, it’s a vibrant community rooted in history and filled with opportunity. Located at the southern gateway to the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, Tumwater offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-picture vision.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Puget Sound, prairie landscapes, rivers, and evergreen forests, we’re just over an hour from ocean beaches, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier. Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, brewery-hopping, or live music, you’ll find easy access to it all.
Here in Tumwater, we’re building a future that’s highly livable, connected, and inclusive. With safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a deep sense of civic pride, it’s not just a great place to live, it’s a great place to grow your career.
The Opportunity
The City of Tumwater is growing and so is the opportunity to help shape its future. We’re seeking an Engineer I to join our Transportation & Engineering team, focusing on transportation and utility infrastructure design.
In this role, you’ll contribute to civil engineering design for projects throughout the city that directly impact multimodal transportation, public safety, and the delivery of essential sewer and water services. You’ll work closely with a collaborative team to support projects that enhance the function and livability of the Tumwater community.
This is an entry-level position within the professional engineering series, working under the guidance of experienced engineers with a clear path for growth and advancement. The role offers strong mentorship, hands-on experience in both field and office settings, and the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world development and construction projects.
***Recent or upcoming college graduates are encouraged to apply.***
A Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is preferred. Relevant work experience, including internships, is beneficial but not required. Applicants without a Civil Engineering degree should demonstrate an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. If you’re an engineer who enjoys variety, problem-solving, and seeing your work come to life in the community, this role is for you.
First review of applications will start on May 15, 2026
As an Engineer I, you’ll work on a wide range of professional civil engineering assignments such as:
Review & Design
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Design and review of engineering projects throughout the city, primarily transportation and utility infrastructure projects.
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Develop plans, specifications, and construction cost estimates.
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Review engineering documents in support of other departments within the city.
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If needed, assists private development projects with engineering reviews.
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Assist in right-of-way and easement acquisition.
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Prepare and/or review environmental plans and reports.
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Utilize standard engineering software, such as AutoCAD and Civil 3D, in the preparation of design documents.
Consultant Management
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Manage selected consultants for engineering work.
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Assist in engineering consultant selection, preparation and review of SOQ’s, and interviews.
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Prepare/negotiate consultant design contracts.
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Review engineering work completed by engineering consultants.
Project Funding
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Assist staff in preparation of funding documentation.
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Prepare preliminary/planning level funding documents.
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Prepare exhibits and provide support for grant applications.
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Assist in preparation and coordination of project grant obligation documents.
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Utilize the Local Agency Guidelines to manage FHWA funded projects.
Construction Inspection and Administration
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Assist in the preparation of construction administration documents under the guidance of the Construction Manager.
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Perform construction field inspections and may have charge of the inspection of specific construction projects.
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Apply applicable standards to ensure quality and compliance of construction projects.
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Instructs and may manage subordinate personnel in inspection methods and procedures.
Collaborate and Communicate
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Ability to present technical information to a group or the public.
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Serve as a technical resource for staff, developers, and the public.
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Prepare recommendations and reports for City Council, committees, and commissions and may present agenda items to these groups.
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Work with residents on traffic safety, roadway concerns, and infrastructure issues.
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Respond to public inquiries for information.
Team Coordination
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Participates in team meetings, project planning, and design reviews.
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Receives active mentorship from higher-level engineers to develop technical proficiency.
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Contributes to process improvements and standard design/policy updates.
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As skills develop will have the opportunity to present project related materials to City Council or sub-committees.
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May supervise lower-level engineers and technician personnel in reviewing plans, specifications, and preliminary and construction layout.
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As a full member of the engineering team and where necessary, the performance of any individual activity or combination of activities performed at a lower classification level within the Transportation and Engineering Department may be required.
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Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
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Where necessary, the performance of any individual activity or combination of activities performed at a lower classification level within the Transportation and Engineering Department may be required.
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Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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Knowledge of the modern methods and techniques used in the design, construction, and inspection of public works projects.
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Knowledge of engineering and land surveying methods and techniques.
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Basic knowledge of state and federal regulations governing public works projects.
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Ability to delegate tasks to technical and clerical personnel.
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Ability to deal effectively with the public.
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Ability to organize work priorities.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the essential job duties related to their assignment satisfactorily. The City understands that varying job experience may affect an applicant’s ability to meet all of these requirements. Selection is largely based on aggregate experience both educational, work history, and the candidate’s ability to learn all of the required duties needed for this position.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Minimum Qualifications: Completion of accredited college course work resulting in a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Or, an equivalent combination of education and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Preferred Qualifications: Possession of an Engineer in Training Certificate (EIT) or ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire.
Working knowledge of APWA and WSDOT design standards and specifications is desirable.
Ability to utilize engineering software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Vehicle Tracking Software, AGI32, and WWHM a plus.
Training/Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid Washington State Driver's License and a driving record acceptable to the City's insurance carrier may be required to successfully carry out the responsibilities of the position.
Contacts: The Engineer I has a wide variety of contacts depending on specific assignments. Contacts with contractors, City and County Departments, City advisory board or committees, or state regulatory authorities are for the purpose of information sharing and work coordination. Contacts with other Transportation and Engineering Department staff are for the purpose of coordination of effort and the sharing of technical information. Contacts are occasionally adversarial in nature, and the employee must resolve both technical and interpersonal issues while completing assignments. Skill in gaining the necessary compliance while maintaining a cooperative working environment is required. Field work may require the employee to respond to citizen questions.
Supervision: Supervision is through review, discussion, and inspection by an engineer of higher classification. May supervise lower-level civil engineers and/or technicians.
Accountability: Engineer I is accountable for completing all assigned tasks in an efficient, accurate, and timely manner.
Working Conditions & Physical Demand: Positions in this class require regular work attendance. Positions in this class require regular Work is performed in both office and field environments. Office duties may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and repetitive hand or wrist movements associated with computer use. Field duties may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, traffic, equipment, noise, uneven terrain, and other typical worksite conditions.
Duties may require standing, walking, climbing, bending, reaching, and light to heavy lifting, as well as operating tools, equipment, or vehicles. Work may include travel to meetings, job sites, or public events, and may involve interacting with the public in both routine and stressful situations.
Work schedules may occasionally include evenings or weekends based on operational or meeting needs. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws.
Commitment to Equity, Safety, and Ethics: Employees are expected to perform their duties in a manner that supports equity, safety, integrity, and professionalism. This includes following all safety policies and procedures, treating coworkers and the public with respect, and conducting work ethically and responsibly.
Employees are expected to uphold public trust through fair, transparent, and lawful conduct and to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment.
The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.
