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Planning & Operations Assistant Division Manager

Salary

$136,988.80 - $192,857.60 Annually

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Non-Classified

Job Number

P0090-25A

Department

Water

Opening Date

11/06/2025

Closing Date

11/13/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Position Description

Join Tacoma Water (https://www.mytpu.org/about-tpu/services/water/) , in a leadership role vital to ensuring the reliable delivery of high-quality water to our community.

The Planning and Operations Assistant Division Manager is a key leadership position within the Maintenance & Construction section of Tacoma Water. This role is crucial to the utility's mission, overseeing the coordinated planning, resource management, and logistical support for transmission and distribution maintenance and construction operational efforts.

You will be responsible for informing the strategic direction of an overall team of approximately 20 that oversees planning and logistics, managing work planning and resources, developing budgets, and providing essential support to your direct reports and their teams. This position requires an accomplished leader who can collaborate effectively across Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU), General Government, and with outside entities to guide critical Tacoma Water initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Planning & Logistics Management

+ Direct the work planning and coordination of logistical support for maintenance and construction activities.

+ Forecast labor needs and oversee the procurement and management of essential resources.

+ Prioritize scheduled maintenance work and manage the deferment schedule when necessary.

+ Ensure seamless operational coordination with the Water Supply and Planning & Engineering sections.

+ Oversee Water warehouse operations, capital development projects, and office administrative support personnel.

Administration & Performance Management

+ Support the overall administration of the Maintenance & Construction section through strategic goal development, key performance indicators, capital and operations & maintenance budget reporting and development, and the creation of policies and procedures.

+ Represent the section on various interdepartmental teams, committees, and organizational functions.

Personnel & Stakeholder Relations

+ Provide leadership and personnel management, including hiring, development, performance evaluation, and discipline.

+ Serve as a key point of contact, responding to inquiries from senior leadership (City Manager, Director of Utilities, Superintendent of Tacoma Water), City Council, City departments, and external organizations.

Customer & Internal Business Relations

+ Uphold the highest standards of customer service in line with Tacoma Water and TPU Values.

+ Advise the Tacoma Water senior leadership team on asset management strategy and records.

+ Engage with various divisional committees related to fleet, mobile workforce management, SAP, business processes, and the Computerized Maintenance Management System.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*

Bachelor's Degree in engineering, business or public administration or directly related field.

Minimum Experience*

6 years of professional-level experience in the water industry, public works or directly related utility industry, including 1 year prior at a supervisory level

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

Washington State Driver's License

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

Apply

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $65.86 - $92.72

Annual Salary: $136,988.80 - $192,857.60

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma (https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits/)

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the Neogov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should 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 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

Do you have an equivalent combination to a Bachelor's degree in engineering, business or public administration or directly related field AND 6 years of professional-level experience in the water industry, public works or directly related utility industry, including 1 year prior at a supervisory level? *Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

+ Yes

+ No

02

Tell us about a time you had to make a tough decision to defer scheduled critical maintenance for a higher-priority, unplanned operational need. What was your communication strategy with stakeholders?

03

This role manages direct reports who themselves manage teams. Describe your specific strategy for overseeing managers (versus non-management staff). How do you empower them while ensuring accountability and alignment with your strategic goals?

04

One of the City's Principles that guides us is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe any experience you have working with diverse groups of people.

05

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

+ Job Interest Card notification

+ Professional organization

+ Military organization

+ City of Tacoma employee

+ Online job board posting

+ Word of mouth

+ LinkedIn

+ Indeed

+ Facebook

+ Instagram

+ Careers in Government

+ Government Jobs

+ Outreach Event

+ National Diversity Network

+ African American Job Network

+ Asian Job Network

+ Disability Job Network

+ Latino Job Network

+ Retirement Job Network

+ LGBT Job Network

+ Veteran Job Network

+ Other

06

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

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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