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Biosolids Distribution Operator (Vehicle, Truck & Equipment Operator)

Salary

$37.36 - $41.18 Hourly

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

5019-25

Department

Environmental Services

Division

ES Sewer Operations

Opening Date

07/18/2025

Closing Date

8/11/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Position Description

Come work for one of the most innovative recycling operations in the country. The City of Tacoma TAGRO program is looking for a forward-thinking, energetic team player to help move our program forward.

The Biosolids Distribution Operator is part of a creative, customer-oriented team who is vital in the transport, delivery, mix, and application of TAGRO premium soils and products. This is an excellent opportunity for a person who thrives working on a variety of tasks and both as part of a team in a busy environment but also independently.

Our Ideal Candidate:

+ Has experience as a commercial driver.

+ Is willing and able to transport, deliver, mix and apply TAGRO premium soils made from a blend of wastewater byproducts called biosolids and other weed-free gardening components.

+ Is capable of operating heavy equipment associated with directed tasks, which include driving and operating a variety of equipment, including loaders and a variety of dump trucks and liquid tankers.

+ Is able to establish and maintain a good rapport with supervisor, coworkers, and the general public.

+ Provides information about TAGRO and delivers stellar products and services along with excellent customer service

+ Is energetic and enthusiastic about biosolids and advancing environmental sustainability through the beneficial use of biosolids.

+ Communicates effectively orally and in writing using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience.

+ Builds and maintains cooperative working relationships with customers, partners, coworkers and staff.

+ Motivated and self-starter who can work under pressure, analyze situations accurately, and adopt an effective course of action quickly.

+ Embraces and owns Environmental Services' vision of supporting healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound and driving the strategic plan to completion within the organization.

If this sounds like you, please apply!

Hourly range of pay for this this classification is: $37.36 - $41.18

Primary Responsibilities

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, drive, transport, deliver, mix and apply liquid and dry biosolids to designated areas; operate a variety of equipment and machines used in biosolids distribution; provide information to customers regarding the biosolids program and services.

+ Deliver, transport and distribute liquid and dry biosolids to designated areas, assuring proper and safe procedures and compliance with department guidelines and applicable laws and regulations.

+ Mix and deliver dry biosolids and unload as directed by customer; collect moneys, issue receipts and record according to established procedures; provide information related to program and service to customers and the public as required.

+ Operate front loader to stockpile biosolids and to load city and private trucks for delivery.

+ Transport miscellaneous solids, raw solids and sewage as needed.

+ Operate tanker trucks to assist gardeners with watering trees and shrubs and to mix lime for digesters as needed; assist in cleaning digesters.

+ Maintain and service assigned equipment as required such as checking brakes, fuel, oil, water and lights.

+ Operate and maintain a variety of equipment and machines such as tanker trucks, dump trucks, front loaders, hoists, soil mixers, miscellaneous spreaders, tractors and monitors.

+ Promotion of products to include providing information, customer service and proper use of products.

+ Prepare and maintain basic records and reports related to daily work and maintenance activities.

+ Receive and record payments, issue receipts.

+ Perform related duties as assigned.

Physical requirements and working conditions:

+ Outdoor environment; subject to adverse weather conditions, and driving to various sites.

+ This position requires climbing.

+ May require working extended hours or weekends.

+ An employee in this position may be exposed to biosolids spray.

City of Tacoma Recruitment Information:

One of the primary goals of the City of Tacoma Equity and Empowerment Initiative is that the City of Tacoma workforce reflects the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and we welcome candidates with diverse and/or multicultural skill sets and personal experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

Qualifications

An equivalent combination to:

High school diploma or the equivalent, such as a General Education Degree (GED) or home-schooling certification

AND

One year experience performing maintenance, operations, or construction duties, including some experience in the operation of commercial-sized trucks.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Valid Class "A" Commercial Driver's License including Tanker endorsement, with Air Brake Restriction removed at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter.

Knowledge & Skills

+ Biosolids utilization procedures and regulations

+ Record-keeping techniques

+ Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy

+ Health and safety regulations

+ Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures

+ Oral communication skills

+ Defensive driving practices

+ Safe workplace practices

+ Drive, transport and distribute liquid and dry biosolids

+ Operate and maintain a variety of equipment and machines such as tanker

+ trucks, dump trucks, front loaders, hoists, soil mixers and monitors

+ Communicate effectively with general public

+ Learn to interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures

+ Maintain simple records and prepare reports

+ Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others

+ Observe legal and defensive driving practices

+ Meet schedules and time lines

+ Work independently with little direction

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

When you work for the City of Tacoma, you'll enjoy a healthy work/life balance, the potential for flexible schedules with some job classifications, continuing education programs, leadership pathways, wellness incentives and a total rewards benefits program. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny http://www.tacoma.gov (http://www.cityoftacoma.org/) and http://www.traveltacoma.com/

Benefits

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision benefits for the whole family; paid holidays and personal time off; participation in Tacoma's Public Employees' Retirement System and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities. For more information on the City of Tacoma's benefit package feel free to explore City of Tacoma Benefits. (http://newhiretacoma.wpengine.com/?page\_id=26)

The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

To be considered for this career opportunity:

Please apply online through the City of Tacoma's website and attach a detailed resume and cover letter describing your experience, training, motivations, and expertise as it relates to the responsibilities of this position. Individuals must meet the minimum qualifications to progress in the examination process.

Candidates who are eligible for Veteran's Preference scoring criteria must attach a copy of their DD-214-member copy 4, (proof of military discharge form) at time of application, to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference points, with redacted birth date and social security numbers.

Examination Process:

This is a competitive selection process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their job application and response to Supplemental Questions # 6-11 reviewed and scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test. It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers, including your roles in the position and key activities.

Candidates who pass the test will be placed on an Eligible List for potential interview and hiring consideration.

Candidates invited to interview may be invited to participate in a driving test to demonstrate their ability to operate equipment. Applicants must pass all portions of the examination process to be considered for hire.

Any vacancy that comes up within a one-year period of time will draw from candidates on the Eligible List for potential interview selection.

Per City of Tacoma Personnel Management Policy #170, the City of Tacoma is a drug-free work environment. Appointment is subject to passing a pre-employment background check and references check, a pre-employment medical exam, drug and alcohol screen and physical ability test.

This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Teamsters Local 313. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, please call Human Resources at (253) 591-5400 before 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement.

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

Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc.), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application. I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any form of cheating or falsification will disqualify my application for further consideration.

+ Yes

+ No

02

Do you have an equivalent combination to: graduation from high school or equivalent and one year experience performing maintenance, operations, or construction duties, including some experience in the operation of commercial-sized trucks?

+ Yes

+ No

03

This position requires you to have a valid Class "A" Commercial Driver's License including Tanker endorsement, with Air Brake Restriction removed at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter. If selected for this job, you would need to have this license on the day you are hired. Do you now or will you be able to meet this requirement on your first day of work if selected for the job?

+ Yes

+ No

04

Please check all equipment that you have experience operating and maintaining.

+ Tanker Trucks

+ Dump Trucks

+ Front Loaders

+ Hoists

+ Soil Mixers

+ Miscellaneous Spreaders

+ Tractors

+ Monitors

+ None of the Above

05

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING TEST: Questions 6-11 are the experience and training test that will be used to establish the eligibility list. These questions will be scored by subject matter experts who will not have access to any of your application materials, and will provide scores based solely upon your answers to these questions. Your answers must stand on their own merit.

DO NOT refer to your resume in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a score of 0 points. Raters will not have access to your resume or application at this step in the process. Your score on the experience and training test will solely reflect your responses to questions 6-11.

For questions 6-11, make sure you read the question and provide complete informative answers, including your roles in the position and key activities.

Please indicate "Yes" that you have read and understand the instructions for questions 6-11.

+ Yes

+ No

06

Please describe your professional commercial driving experience (years of operation and types of vehicles) and how you ensure you remain alert and safe on the road.

07

Please describe your experience as it pertains to residential and commercial site deliveries of dry bulk materials including loading, transporting and unloading (i.e. dump or box truck). Include a brief description of equipment used. If you have no experience type N/A.

08

Please describe your experience as it pertains to residential and commercial site deliveries of liquid bulk materials including loading, transporting and unloading (i.e. tanker). Include a brief description of equipment used. If you have no experience type N/A.

09

Please describe your experience operating front-end loaders. Include a description of the type of front-end loader used. If you have no experience type N/A.

10

Please explain in detail your experience with direct customer service, including explaining or providing product information and/or product use instructions. If you have no experience type N/A.

11

Please describe your experience and knowledge related to gardening or landscaping, farming, soils or composting. If you have no experience type N/A.

12

Please tell us how you learned about this job opportunity.

+ City of Tacoma website

+ City of Tacoma job interest card

+ Internet search

+ Union job posting

+ Military job posting

+ Word of mouth

+ Professional organization

+ Community organization

+ Other

13

If you selected "professional organization", "community organization", or "other" to the previous question, please tell us exactly how you heard about this job opportunity. Thank you, your response will help us with future recruitment efforts.

14

If you are a military veteran, did you remember to upload a copy of your DDForm 214, Member 4 copy, for review for Veteran's Preference eligibility?

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

City of Tacoma

Address

Human Resources Department 747 Market Street Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone

253-591-5400

Website

http://www.tacoma.gov

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