Plumbing Inspector

Salary: $47.01 - $59.59 Hourly
Location : Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA
Job Type: Term-Ltd
Job Number: 2026SD27689
Department: DPH - Public Health
Division: Environmental Health Svcs
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: T3B : JCC L32-Plumbing Inspector
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week


Summary


This position involves working with a team of inspectors and plan reviewers. Candidates are expected to possess extensive technical knowledge and experience performing complex plumbing and gas piping inspections, reviewing complex plumbing system design plans, and ensuring compliance with codes, laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. The role of the Plumbing Inspector is to protect public health and the environment from the hazards of improper plumbing and gas piping installations and accurately observe and write code correction action items in accordance with the plumbing code. The role of a Plumbing Plan Reviewer is to review proposed plumbing and gas designs to protect public health and the environment from the hazards of improperly designed plumbing and gas piping systems. While this is primarily a technical position, the successful candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and cultural competence and demonstrate the creativity and analytical skills needed to support customers in achieving compliance with public health and construction regulations that protect the community.

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.
Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all - in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

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Job Duties

• Convey public health and environmental codes, regulations, policies, and regulatory information to a variety of diverse audiences, including industry and government partners, and the public.
• Interpret applicable codes, laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations pertaining to plumbing and gas piping system designs with a perspective on public health and safety.
• Field inspect all aspects of a plumbing or gas installation for code compliance.
• Respond to, consult with, and engage with superintendents, contractors, engineers, plumbers, architects, and homeowners on code, code interpretation, and material and equipment installation standards to reach compliance.
• Maintain and use program specific computerized systems, write and review reports, and maintain accurate records.
• Prepare and maintain written and electronic records of plan reviews, correction action items, and approvals.
• Review submitted plumbing plans which may include but are not limited to: domestic and sanitary plumbing systems, backflow devices and assemblies, medical gas, alternate water use, natural or LP gas piping (including flue vents and combustion air), laboratories and commercial kitchens, for compliance with various codes and ordinances.
• Review plans, diagrams, and associated construction documents.
• Perform analysis of plumbing and gas piping design, and review/evaluate proposed methods of installation.
• Establish and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with customers, coworkers, supervisors and other Environmental Health Division employees, and the general public using principles of good internal and external customer service.
• Participate in assigned Environmental Health Division meetings and trainings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Required Licensing/Certification Qualifications

• Washington State commercial (PL01) journeyman plumber certification, residential (PL02) plumber certification, or a letter from Washington State Labor and industries, verifying the approval to perform the Washington State commercial (PL01) plumber certification or residential (PL02) plumber certification exam. The incumbent will perform and pass one of these exams prior to the end of the 6-month probationary period.
• Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to the end of the 6-month probationary period.
• Successfully pass the IAPMO Plumbing Inspector certification exam within the 6-month probationary period.

Desired Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of recent experience as a Journeyman or residential plumber from Washington State or another state with equivalent licensing requirements, including designing and performing residential or commercial plumbing installations and/or any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position.
• Plumbing Plans Examiner Certification or ability to obtain an IAPMO Plumbing Plans Examiner certification prior to the end of the 6-month probationary period.

Supplemental Information
Are you ready to make a difference? dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County's vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Sarah Dunkinson (View email address on click.appcast.io).
King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here .

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• Pre-employment Physical
• For more information on our selection process, please refer toFor tips on interviewing, please visit
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Work Schedule

This position typically works 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week anytime between 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Schedule requires flexibility for weekend and evening work. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.

Work Location

Physical Requirements: This position requires the ability to perform work duties both indoors in an office environment and in the field in a variety of physical and weather conditions that may include walking on uneven terrain, crawling in a crawl space, and climbing a ladder. This position may require the ability to use appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) based on situational needs. This position may require the incumbent to occasionally access or travel by ferry or boat.


Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.


Union Membership

This position is represented by Seattle Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local #32.

Contact

For questions about this position, please contact Sarah Dunkinson (View email address on click.appcast.io).
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our


This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.


NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.


For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01


Do you have a valid Washington State Driver License?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have a current Washington State Commercial (PLO1 or PLO2 please specify) Journeyman Plumber Certification? If no, put N/A.

• Yes
• No

03


How many years of recent experience do you have as a Washington State Journeyman Plumber?
04


Do you have any concerns meeting the Work Schedule or Physical Requirements listed in the posted Working Conditions?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have a current IAPMO Inspector or Plans Examiner Certification, please specify. If no, put N/A.
06


What level of familiarity do you have with OSHA / WISHA safety guidelines?

• I know the code
• I am generally familiar with workplace safety
• What is OSA / WISHA?

07


Describe your approach to providing effective customer service and give two examples of what you did to achieve a successful outcome. Give one example of a challenging situation, what you learned from it, and what you would do differently.
08


Are you applying to this position as an eligible Priority Placement Program Participant who is a current or previous King County Employee impacted by layoff? ANDIs this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? ANDDo you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

• Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
• No.

Required Question