Apprenticeship - Drainage and Wastewater Collection Worker - Registered Apprenticeship bei City of Seattle, WA

About the Department

PLEASE READ THIS JOB DESCRIPTION VERY CAREFULLY. 

"Earn while you learn.”

Are you interested in getting paid while you learn a trade that protects and enhances public health and safety? If so, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is presently recruiting for energetic and motivated Drainage & Wastewater Collection Worker Apprentices. These are training and employment opportunities where apprentices participate in two-plus years of paid on-the-job-training (OJT), as well as unpaid related/supplemental classroom instruction. Upon program completion and graduation, successful apprentices advance to journey level Drainage & Wastewater Collection Workers with high earning potential while progressing in their trade. This is an excellent opportunity for a capable and reliable apprentice to begin a rewarding career with the City of Seattle. This is a Registered Apprenticeship Program, regulated by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Counsil, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, the U.S. Department of Labor and governed by federal and state laws and rules.  
  
Hiring for these positions is a lengthy, multi-stage process. Candidates should be prepared for a start date no sooner than February 2026.
  
How to be Successful - Apprenticeship Program Requirements:

• Arrive on time, ready for all work shifts, training sessions and program activities
• Demonstrate excellent attendance
• Use your time efficiently to complete tasks and meet deadlines
• Work cooperatively with mentors, crew chiefs, and peers to achieve team objectives
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic by showing initiative, following instructions, and delivering quality work
• Show a willingness to learn new skills, techniques, and procedures
• Accept and apply both corrective and constructive feedback to improve performance and grow

Submission of frequent evaluations and completion of an extensive set of on-the-job training “Skills Blocks” require above-average administrative and organizational skills to stay on track. Apprentices are required to attend a minimum of 144-hours of unpaid classes per year.
  
 Special Working Conditions:
 Before applying, candidates should review the following working conditions to ensure this career will be a good fit for them.
  
Drainage and Wastewater Collection Worker Apprentices routinely:

• Perform demanding and physically challenging work, including lifting more than 55 pounds up to waist level 
• Bend, stoop and dig for extended periods of time 
• Work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, heavy traffic, entering confined spaces (such as maintenance holes, Oil Water Separators, and shored excavations) 
• Work any shift or schedule, including nights, evenings, weekends and holidays 
• Ability to report to, and dispatch from three (3) reporting sites, including:
  • Charles St. (714 S. Charles St.)
  • Haller Lake (12600 Stone Ave North)
  • South Operations Center (4500 W Marginal Way SW)
• Respond to emergency conditions resulting in overtime with little or no notice
• Meet the conditions set forth in the City of Seattle, Washington Standards of Apprenticeship, SPU Workplace Expectations, and SPU Safety
• Attend and successfully complete unpaid supplemental classroom training
• Maintain their Commercial Driver License (CDL) which among other things requires random testing for drugs and alcohol

 
Apprentices enjoy the following benefits (and more):

• Obtain a Class B Commercial Driver's License (approximate value of $7000)
• Opportunities for career advancement 
• Family- friendly multi-cultural work environment 
• Competitive health care plans  
• Free public transportation options 
• 10 paid holidays and two (2) additional personal holidays 
• 12 paid days of vacation per year  
• 12 paid days of sick leave per year 
• Deferred compensation plan 
• Employer/employee contributions to City pension plan 
• Obtains Flagger, Forklift, Trenching and Shoring, Confined Space, First Aid and other certifications 

 
About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU’s work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.
 
 For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), checkout the:

• SPU Website
• Strategic Business Plan

 
SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

Position Duties

This is a registered apprenticeship position. Apprentices will be trained on-the-job and be required to attend related classroom instruction on their own time.  Upon completion of initial training classes, Apprentices are expected to perform the following:

• Respond to urban flooding
• Repair and install infrastructure such as maintenance holes, catch basins, and pipes within the storm water drainage system
• Clean and maintain sewer mainlines and infrastructures, storm drains, catch basins, ditches, detention ponds, and culverts
• Clear debris and complete projects in urban creeks
• Work around heavy equipment
• Operate hand and power tools
• Manage work using a wireless technologies and graphic information systems (GIS)

Apprentice Responsibilities, including, but not limited to: 

• Adhere to rigorous program standards and expectations
• Proactively coordinate bi-weekly evaluations and skill assessments
• Listen, respond to and solicit feedback from both trainers and co-workers
• Attend unpaid related/supplemental instruction classes and pass all regularly scheduled proficiency exams

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent educational credential, or a vocational school degree 
• At least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of hire

License: Current VALID driver license from any state at time of application.
 
***You MUST attach your up-to-date Abstract of Driving Record - Full with your online application showing your driving history to be considered. An application without an Abstract of Driving Record - Full will not be considered.***
 

How to obtain your Abstract of Driving Record - Full: 

• Please go here to obtain your WA Full Driver Abstract: Buy a copy of your WA drivers record 
• Your Abstract of Driving Record - Full must NOT be older than 30 days from the date of application submission.

Example of your CORRECT Abstract of Driving Record - Full:

DO NOT submit the following abstracts:

• Abstract of Driving Record – Employment
• Abstract of Driving Record – Assessment 

Examples of INCORRECT Abstracts:

Submitting an EMPLOYMENT or ASSESSMENT Driver Abstract will result in your disqualification from this hiring process.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience performing physically demanding or outdoor work 
• Familiarity with using tools and working with your hands 
• Experience working in varied weather conditions or environments 
• Ability to work in a team setting 
• Ability to engage in a classroom environment
• Experience with labor intensive tasks
• Understands and follows all safety practices in work environments

Other Qualifications

For additional information on the Drainage and Wastewater Collection Worker Apprenticeship program, and how to obtain and submit your Abstract of Driving Record - Full, please visit our website: http://www.seattle.gov/utilities/about-us/careers/apprenticeship-program.

Important Information about the Hiring Process:

• This hiring process includes multiple stages, and the program is scheduled to begin February 25, 2026
• Those identified to move to the working test then interviews are expected to be in-person for both phases
• Candidates recommended to interview, will be asked to provide documented proof of graduation. If documentation is unavailable, please contact us.

Tentative Timeline:

• WORKING TEST – November 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th  
• INTERVIEWS – December 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th   

If chosen as a successful candidate, you are required to have the following physical documents on or before the date of hire as required to obtain your Commercial Driver License (CDL):

1. Washington State Driver License; AND
2. One (1) of the following CDL approved documents:
   1. Valid US Passport
   2. Government Issued Birth Certificate 
   3. Valid Permanent Resident Card
   4. Certificate of Naturalization
   5. Certification of Citizenship
   6. Consular Report of Birth Abroad 

Pre-employment tests are required in compliance with Federal Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Requirements.
 
The full salary range for this position is: $36.22 - $40.05 Hourly
  
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Vanessa Fowler at [email protected]
  
Benefits Information:
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
 
More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
 
Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.