Salary: $98,280.00 - $184,808.00 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Non-Classified
Job Number: T0440-26A
Department: Power
Division: Power - T&D
Opening Date: 05/26/2026
Closing Date: 6/9/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
Tacoma Power's Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Section is seeking a Power System Engineer (Power Systems Engineer, Associate, Power Systems Engineer, or Power Systems Engineer, PE level) within its Power System Controls group in support of Tacoma Power's mission to provide safe and reliable electric service.
This position requires excellent communication skills to interact regularly with a diverse audience in other groups: engineering (substation, protection, generation, technicians, communications, line), project management, system planning, construction and maintenance crews, and system operations.

Responsibilities Include:

• Design and commission system protection, controls, and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) projects.* Work is performed on 6.6kV, 12.47kV, 13.8kV, 15 kV, 115 kV, and 230 kV systems.
• Select and develop settings for microprocessor, solid state, and/or electromechanical protective relays*
• In partnership with Engineering Technicians prepare control schematic drawings for issuance to construction crews.*
• Provide responsive technical support to T&D crews during capital project installations.
• Assist with collaborative troubleshooting of substation protection, controls, and SCADA systems or components, working with craft personnel to identify and diagnose root causes, evaluate approaches and/or solutions, and see tasks through to resolution.
• Create or modify system protection, controls, and SCADA standards and work practices.
• Prepare accurate technical reports.
• Understand and apply electrical technical and safety codes and regulations.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on assigned North American Electric Reliability (NERC) Protection and Controls (PRC) standards.
• Respond to operational inquiries and issues, both during planned work and during emergencies.

*If hired at a Power Systems Engineer or Associate level, these tasks will be performed with the supervision and guidance of a licensed professional engineer. If hired at a Power Systems Engineer, PE classification, these tasks will be performed independently.

Qualifications

Power Systems Engineer, Associate
Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
0-1 years depending upon assignment

Power Systems Engineer
Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
2 years of engineering experience in a power utility

Power Systems Engineer, PE
Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
4 years of professional level engineering experience in a power utility
Washington State Licensed Professional Engineer

*Relevant education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Some positions may require individuals to pass a comprehensive personal risk assessment (background check) prior to employment and every five years thereafter as required by federal regulatory requirements (NERC-CIP)

Selection Process & Supplemental Information
Apply

All interested individuals mustapply online and attach a resume and cover letter that includes major responsibilities and accomplishments related to the position.

Appointment is subject to references and passing a background check.

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.

Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Annual Salary: $98,280.00 - $184,808.00
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 a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or directly related field?*Relevant education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have the following experience and/or training? Please check all that apply.*Relevant education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis

• 0-1 years engineering experience
• 2 years of engineering experience in a power utility
• 4 years of professional level engineering experience in a power utility
• Washington State Licensed Professional Engineer

03

Will you have graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering by June 30th, 2026?

• Yes
• No

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 first learned about this job opening.

• Job Interest Card notification
• Internet search
• Professional organization
• Military organization
• Union job posting
• City of Tacoma employee
• Online job board posting
• Word of mouth
• LinkedIn
• TTEP (Tacoma Training and Education Program)
• Indeed
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Government Jobs
• NWPPA
• Outreach Event

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