Skilled Occupational Intern- Environmental Services

Job Description:

Skilled Occupational Intern- Environmental Services

Description

Position Description

The City of Tacoma, Environmental Services Department is recruiting for a temporary part-time to full-time (up to 960 cumulative hours) position of limited duration (six months with the potential to extend an additional 6 months as long as the cumulative hours do not to exceed 960 hours) as a Skilled Occupational Intern. This position will support staff with projects and programs for the Thea Foss Waterway Superfund, NPDES Stormwater and Watershed Planning programs. This is a great opportunity to join the City of Tacoma, acquire valuable work experience, and personally contribute to positive change in our environment and community.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE is someone who:

• Is a teammate with good critical thinking skills who is intrinsically motivated and harnesses their curiosity to seek understanding, gain insight and apply this trait to deliver sound science and suggest improvements.
• Effectively conveys ideas and information orally and in writing, using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience.
• Consistently helps partners, and coworkers achieve desired outcomes, gaining their trust and respect.
• Genuinely values our mission, values healthy neighborhoods, a thriving Puget Sound, and the role of sound science to inform decisions.
• Embraces continuous improvement, fosters curiosity, ensures accuracy, manages details, takes initiative, and strives for excellence.

If this sounds like you, please apply!
The intern selected for this position will be responsible for engaging in the following types of job duties:

• Foss Chemistry and Field Data Review and Management.
  • Review 20+ years of field, flow, rain and chemistry data and make data corrections when necessary.
  • Work with field and chemistry data evaluation tools to create tables and figures.
• NPDES Stormwater Program
  • Assist with community engagement events for stormwater education.
  • Collaborate with a wide variety of community members, city departments, and external partner organizations on NPDES compliance requirements.
  • Review operational data to assess the most effective NPDES compliance actions.

Miscellaneous tasks as needed to assist the NPDES, Watershed Group and Sampling Group including occasional fieldwork.

Essential Duties

• Effectively identify, collect, organize, and document data and information in ways that make the information most useful for subsequent assessment, analysis and investigation.
• Use data and information in a clear and rational thoughtful process to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form accurate conclusions, and make decisions.
• Meeting facilitation and group experience.
• Effectively convey ideas and information using correct language and customer service etiquette and techniques; interacting respectfully and sensitively with individuals and groups to develop productive relationships and provide quality customer service.
• Effectively organize multiple assignments to produce work products that are accurate, thorough, and on time, including the compilation of reports and records; planning and organizing work and analyzing situations to develop a course of action; conducting assignments in a professional, independent, confidential, and timely manner; remaining current on applicable ordinances, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

The intern will make positive contributions to the livability of Tacoma by empowering community participation in sustainability initiatives.

Educational Benefits:
Interns will develop knowledge of environmental data, program management, standard operating practices and processes for data management, environmental engagement, and other analytical skills as well as a knowledge of public environmental stormwater management planning strategies. If currently enrolled, students should consult with their academic program regarding receiving academic credit for the internship.

Hours and Terms of the Position:
The hours for this position are 40 hours per week, for a period of approximately 6 months, starting in the summer of 2026. This position will require the intern to be available on a regular schedule for 8 hours a day within the hours of 6:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m with the understanding that the remainder of the time will be flexible based on the intern's schedule.

Location and Physical Requirements of Position:
This position requires being able to work in an office environment, to include computers. Some outdoor fieldwork may be required. Must be able to lift at least 20 pounds.

Qualifications

Qualifications
Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.

One year of post-high school training

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Depending on assignment, some positions may require a valid Washington State Driver’s License.

DESIRED QUALIFICATION:
Some knowledge of chemistry. Enrollment in a science or environmental program in a community college, four-year college or university, graduate student;

OR

A recent graduate who has completed a science or environmental based degree from an accredited college/university within the last year.

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of environmental topics (chemistry and/or environmental sciences is preferred) and research methodology.
• Skill in operating a personal computer using basic software, including Microsoft Office and spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel or other software programs.
• Ability to learn pertinent Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Application Process

Interested individuals must 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 meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to the Supplemental Questions reviewed by a committee of subject matter experts. 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. DO NOT respond with "see resume" in lieu of answering these questions. Candidates whose qualifications most closely correspond with the Department's needs will be placed on a referral list for review and potential interview selection.

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.
Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

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 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: $17.23 - $20.94

Annual Salary: $35,838.40 - $43,555.20

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

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: 3/16/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$17.23 - $20.94 Hourly