Engineering Technician

City of Lakewood•Lakewood City Hall, WA

24d

About The Position

The City of Lakewood’s Planning and Public Works Department is hiring a journey-level Engineering Technician in its Engineering Services Division. Under the direction of the Public Works Engineering Director or designee, the position assists civil engineers and higher-level engineering technicians with engineering designs and plans, traffic studies, construction inspections, development and right-of-way permit reviews, and utility locates for City-owned infrastructure. Employees perform the full range of journey-level duties with only occasional instruction or assistance in new or unusual situations. This is an AFSCME-represented position. The recruitment is open until filled, with the first application review scheduled for 12/4/2026; the recruitment may be used to fill additional vacancies within six months of posting closure. The Engineering Technician supports the City’s street lighting and school zone lights, assigns task orders to the electrical services contractor, manages the traffic signal inventory, and performs utility locates for City-owned street lighting, traffic signals, and storm drainage. The role also collects roadway field data, uses CAD to assist with designs and plans, reviews engineering permits, and works with applicants, contractors, the public, and City departments. Work includes drafting and mapping from survey information; reviewing development plans and technical reports for compliance with City standards; inspecting public works construction and maintaining project records; conducting traffic studies and maintaining related databases; and performing technical research, preparing reports and presentations, and answering questions from the public. The work environment is primarily an indoor office, with occasional outdoor work and driving to project sites. Physical activities include walking on uneven surfaces and steep slopes, extended sitting and standing, reading maps and data, communicating, computer use, and reaching to retrieve or maintain files. Hazards include occasional exposure to below-ground work in manholes and catch basins, roadway traffic, and construction equipment.

Requirements

Education and experience equivalent to two years of college-level courses related to civil engineering and three years of work experience using CADD to design roads, storm drainage, water, and/or sewer systems.
Possess and maintain a valid Washington driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record throughout employment.
Knowledge of drafting and computer-aided design terminology, methods, practices, and techniques.
Knowledge of trigonometry as applied to angles, areas, distances, and traverses, and of basic surveying principles and practices.
Knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices, including hydrology, hydraulics, soils, water and sewer utility design, and basic structures.
Knowledge of design and construction theory, engineering design standards, construction inspection methods and safety standards, engineering maps and records, and construction plans and specifications.
Knowledge of applicable City, State, and Federal codes, ordinances, specifications, procedures, standards, and environmental policies and laws.
Knowledge of techniques, procedures, and instruments used in engineering design, drafting, surveying, and mathematics, as well as CADD and other engineering software applications.
Ability to analyze situations, follow instructions, communicate effectively, and establish cooperative working relationships.
Ability to perform technical duties related to engineering project development, plan layout, and inspection of existing utilities; design or review plans for compliance; and assist with compatibility reviews.
Ability to calculate, verify, and plot field survey results; communicate with agencies, the public, and City management; and interpret and explain applicable codes and procedures.
Ability to read and understand engineering plans and specifications, prepare design drawings using CADD equipment and software, operate office equipment and related software, and meet schedules and timelines.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D is preferred.

Responsibilities

Apply survey information and reduce field notes to prepare base mapping, designs, and drawings for engineering and planning projects, including storm sewers, sanitary sewers, water mains, and streets.
Gather, analyze, and record field or office data and assist engineers with specifications and project preparation.
Review pre-application information for development proposals, visit sites to assess existing conditions, and prepare comments based on City codes and ordinances.
Review site development plans for compliance with City standards for rights-of-way, sidewalks, curbs, pedestrian ramps, driveways, roadways, and storm drainage.
Review storm drainage reports, traffic impact analysis reports, and other traffic-related studies for compliance with City standards.
Calculate permit fees and coordinate the locating of City-owned underground infrastructure through the regional utility notification process.
Inspect construction and as-built work on assigned public works projects for conformance with plans and specifications; process inspection records.
Maintain construction project records and compile data for contractors’ progress pay estimates; perform field tests.
Conduct traffic studies, including manual traffic counts, turning-movement studies, and traffic speed and delay studies; set out traffic counters and prepare recommendations and reports.
Maintain traffic and complaint data systems, including traffic accident, speed, and count databases.
Support City street lighting and school zone lights, assign task orders to the electrical services contractor, and manage the traffic signal inventory.
Perform utility locates for City-owned street lighting, traffic signals, and storm drainage.
Conduct technical research and present reports, information, and presentations at meetings; answer public questions in areas of expertise.
Provide support to other City departments, including preparing computer-generated maps and exhibits, and perform related duties as assigned.