Operations Intern - Solid Waste

Position Description

In the Environmental Services Department, everything we do creates a better Tacoma by promoting healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound. It is why we exist, and we are committed to partnering with all of our community members, fostering a great employee culture, and continuing to improve our award-winning operations with a clear and unwavering focus on safety. We are looking for employees who embrace and live by our shared core values and commit to our shared purpose of making a difference in our community.

The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Division of Environmental Services is thrilled to announce our recruitment for a full-time temporary Operations Intern. This temporary position has an end date of 1/4/2027.

We are seeking a highly motivated individual, dedicated to public service, to join our team in providing exceptional service to the citizens and ratepayers of Tacoma. This temporary intern will have the exciting opportunity to learn from SWM staff and develop skills in a wide variety of work areas. The successful candidate will have the chance to work with all sections within our Division including Onsite Operations, Collections, Tidy-Up Tacoma, and Strategic Operations & Business Solutions. This is an excellent opportunity to join the City of Tacoma, gain valuable work experience, and personally contribute to positive change in our community!

If the personal traits listed below sounds like you, then you are just the type of person we are looking for to join our team!

• Outstanding customer service skills and professionalism.
• Strong personal motivation.
• Interested in a career in public service.
• Enjoys working with diverse communities.
• Curious and eager to learn new skills, with a willingness to ask questions and grow.

Job Duties:
The intern selected for this position will receive on-the-job training and engage in the following types of job duties:

• Assist in building, repairing, cleaning, maintaining, and delivering solid waste containers.
• Work at the Recovery and Transfer Center, learning and assisting in the operation and maintenance of the facility, including the Recycle Center.
• Train on and use manual and power tools.
• Learn traffic control techniques and assist with traffic control on site.
• Assist in keeping the facility clean and organized.
• Work in the field with the Tidy-Up Tacoma Team, cleaning up litter and debris in public spaces and servicing and maintaining our public litter cans.
• Work both indoors and outdoors with opportunities to learn office skills as well as perform hands-on labor.
• Assist with waste collection activities including operation of hydraulic devices on collection vehicles.
• Operate light-duty vehicles both on and off-site.
• Assist the public with waste disposal activities, answer questions, and provide customer service.
• Assist with data entry, record keeping, and other administrative tasks to support daily operations.

Educational Benefits:
The Operations Intern will build practical skills in teamwork, tool use, computer skills, customer service, and overall employability.

Hours and Terms of the Position:
This is a temporary, full-time position that is expected to last six months with the potential to extend to one year. The typical work schedule will be Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, although the schedule may vary depending on the specific work assignment.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Outdoor and indoor environment; subject to noise and fumes from equipment operation and adverse weather conditions.
• This position requires lifting, climbing, hoisting, and pulling.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualification:

• Some experience in performing heavy manual work
• Some experience providing customer service
• Completion of the eighth grade; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training

Licenses, Certificates, and Other Requirements:

• Valid Washington State Driver License required at time of appointment and must be maintained for the duration of the appointment.
• Appointment is subject to passing a background check, pre-employment medical exam, physical assessment test, and drug screen.

Knowledge & Skills

Knowledge of:

• Applicable occupational hazards and safety precautions
• Ability to understand and follow specific oral and written instructions
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods, often under adverse climate conditions
• Maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Operate motor vehicles

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Application Process

Interested individual should complete the online application and attach 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.

Applicants who are eligible for veterans scoring criteria (Veterans Preference) 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.

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.

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, 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.
The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual Orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $21.04 - $23.21

Annual Salary: $43,763.20 - $48,276.80

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 age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 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.

Closing Date/Time: 11/13/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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