Government Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Washington
Washington's government sector offers substantial visa sponsorship opportunities across federal agencies, state departments, and local municipalities. Major employers include the Department of Defense installations like Naval Base Kitsap, federal research facilities at the University of Washington, and Boeing's defense contracts. Seattle and Tacoma dominate federal hiring, while Olympia hosts state government positions requiring specialized expertise.
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This is a transfer opportunity, and first consideration is given to qualified transfer-eligible employees in the job classification family
If no qualified internal candidate is selected, external applicants will be considered.
External candidates are eligible to be hired at the Industrial Maintenance Mechanic level only
Minimum Salary: Step 2 for Industrial Maintenance Mechanic but may be higher based upon experience and interview process ($44.24-$53.48/hour)
Join a team of journey-level mechanics performing repair and troubleshooting for both planned and unscheduled maintenance. In this role, you will perform and assist with a variety of mechanical maintenance tasks while developing your skills in an industrial environment.
This position offers excellent benefits and job security in a unionized setting. Employees who are actively engaged in their professional growth have opportunities for advancement to Industrial Mechanic-Master, as well as potential leadership roles as they become available.
About the Role
Working as part of a team, this person will apply their maintenance experience to perform high-level repairs on a variety of rotating mechanical equipment, including—but not limited to—biosolids decanting blowers, influent and effluent pumps, biogas scrubbing compressors, gearboxes, conveyance systems, and multiple piping systems.
The ideal candidate is goal-oriented and contributes to a safe, collaborative, and positive work environment. They will support a team culture focused on effective communication, working closely with other groups, and following good shop practices to maintain a high standard of workmanship.
About the Team
Employees in WTD play a key role in the environmental stewardship of the local community while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This position provides the opportunity to work collaboratively on major projects and repairs involving pumps, piping, gearboxes, and other critical plant equipment.
Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Industrial Maintenance Mechanic you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity
Job Duties
What you will be doing:
Maintain, Repair, and Troubleshoot Equipment
- Perform maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and overhaul of a variety of complex machinery used in plant operations.
Install and Maintain Piping and Plumbing Systems
- Install, repair, and maintain piping and plumbing systems for sewage, water, gases, chemicals, and solids using appropriate materials.
- Fabricate and install metal fixtures, including vents, air ducts, doors, louvers, containers, equipment covers, machinery bases, and support members.
Fabrication and Welding
- Design, fabricate, and repair plant piping, equipment guards, and bases.
- Use welding equipment, including metal inert gas (MIG), tungsten inert gas (TIG), arc welding, cutting torches, plasma cutters, and plastic welders.
Planning and Documentation
- Plan equipment repairs using blueprints, engineering drawings, computer-aided design (CAD), Maintenance Information Management System (MIMS), operations and maintenance manuals, vendor data, catalogs, and other resources.
- Collaborate with CAD personnel to provide as-built drawings to support parts/material ordering, equipment assembly, and modifications.
Other Duties
- Perform other duties as assigned to support plant operations and maintenance.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications you bring:
- Knowledge and hands-on experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing pumps, motors, valves, and other rotating equipment used in industrial or wastewater systems.
- Skill in safely using hand and power tools, precision measuring instruments, and machine tools (lathes, mills, drill presses); ability to perform basic welding and fabrication for equipment repair.
- Ability to understand and apply information from blueprints, schematics, manuals, and preventive maintenance procedures.
- Knowledge of industrial safety standards, including lockout/tagout, confined space entry, and proper handling of hazardous materials.
- Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers and other trades; communicate effectively in writing and verbally; and accurately document work in a computerized maintenance management system (e.g., Maximo).
Competencies you bring:
Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
It would be great if you also bring:
- Knowledge of and experience with plumbing, pumps, hydraulics, welding, and rigging techniques and principles.
- Experience in heavy equipment mechanical maintenance, including repairs and understanding replacement criteria.
- Knowledge of and experience applying industrial safety standards and procedures related to mechanical maintenance.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to read, write, and follow instructions accurately.
- Experience with equipment operation, installation, and commissioning.
Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:
- Work Location: The team works onsite at South Treatment Plant 1200 Monster Rd SW, Renton, WA 98057
- Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
- Work Schedule: This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
- Union Representation: This position is represented by SEIU Local 925 - Wastewater Treatment Division.
- Physical Requirement: Must be able to work flexible hours and report to the plant during adverse or inclement weather conditions. Perform field work at a wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities. Lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Work in confined spaces and climb in and out of tanks using ladders. Work safely around high noise levels and exposure to noxious odors.
- Workplace Exposures: Work in all weather conditions in an industrial wastewater environment. Exposure to chemicals, biohazards, and other potentially hazardous material. Frequent exposure to loud noise; hearing protection required. Entering and working in confined spaces. Use of respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment: (subject to change)
- Technical vetting interview: Virtual interviews will be held in Mid-May 2026.
- Panel interview: Virtual interviews will be held in Late May 2026.
To apply, submit a:
- Complete Application
- Resume (Required)
- Responses to the supplemental questions
Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.
Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Dan Sherman at dasherman@kingcounty.gov
Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and the WTD Blog.
Discover More About DNRP: Visit our DNRP website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.
Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. 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.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. 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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Summary
This is a transfer opportunity, and first consideration is given to qualified transfer-eligible employees in the job classification family
If no qualified internal candidate is selected, external applicants will be considered.
External candidates are eligible to be hired at the Industrial Maintenance Mechanic level only
Minimum Salary: Step 2 for Industrial Maintenance Mechanic but may be higher based upon experience and interview process ($44.24-$53.48/hour)
Join a team of journey-level mechanics performing repair and troubleshooting for both planned and unscheduled maintenance. In this role, you will perform and assist with a variety of mechanical maintenance tasks while developing your skills in an industrial environment.
This position offers excellent benefits and job security in a unionized setting. Employees who are actively engaged in their professional growth have opportunities for advancement to Industrial Mechanic-Master, as well as potential leadership roles as they become available.
About the Role
Working as part of a team, this person will apply their maintenance experience to perform high-level repairs on a variety of rotating mechanical equipment, including—but not limited to—biosolids decanting blowers, influent and effluent pumps, biogas scrubbing compressors, gearboxes, conveyance systems, and multiple piping systems.
The ideal candidate is goal-oriented and contributes to a safe, collaborative, and positive work environment. They will support a team culture focused on effective communication, working closely with other groups, and following good shop practices to maintain a high standard of workmanship.
About the Team
Employees in WTD play a key role in the environmental stewardship of the local community while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This position provides the opportunity to work collaboratively on major projects and repairs involving pumps, piping, gearboxes, and other critical plant equipment.
Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Industrial Maintenance Mechanic you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity
Job Duties
What you will be doing:
Maintain, Repair, and Troubleshoot Equipment
- Perform maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and overhaul of a variety of complex machinery used in plant operations.
Install and Maintain Piping and Plumbing Systems
- Install, repair, and maintain piping and plumbing systems for sewage, water, gases, chemicals, and solids using appropriate materials.
- Fabricate and install metal fixtures, including vents, air ducts, doors, louvers, containers, equipment covers, machinery bases, and support members.
Fabrication and Welding
- Design, fabricate, and repair plant piping, equipment guards, and bases.
- Use welding equipment, including metal inert gas (MIG), tungsten inert gas (TIG), arc welding, cutting torches, plasma cutters, and plastic welders.
Planning and Documentation
- Plan equipment repairs using blueprints, engineering drawings, computer-aided design (CAD), Maintenance Information Management System (MIMS), operations and maintenance manuals, vendor data, catalogs, and other resources.
- Collaborate with CAD personnel to provide as-built drawings to support parts/material ordering, equipment assembly, and modifications.
Other Duties
- Perform other duties as assigned to support plant operations and maintenance.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications you bring:
- Knowledge and hands-on experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing pumps, motors, valves, and other rotating equipment used in industrial or wastewater systems.
- Skill in safely using hand and power tools, precision measuring instruments, and machine tools (lathes, mills, drill presses); ability to perform basic welding and fabrication for equipment repair.
- Ability to understand and apply information from blueprints, schematics, manuals, and preventive maintenance procedures.
- Knowledge of industrial safety standards, including lockout/tagout, confined space entry, and proper handling of hazardous materials.
- Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers and other trades; communicate effectively in writing and verbally; and accurately document work in a computerized maintenance management system (e.g., Maximo).
Competencies you bring:
Decision Quality: Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
It would be great if you also bring:
- Knowledge of and experience with plumbing, pumps, hydraulics, welding, and rigging techniques and principles.
- Experience in heavy equipment mechanical maintenance, including repairs and understanding replacement criteria.
- Knowledge of and experience applying industrial safety standards and procedures related to mechanical maintenance.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to read, write, and follow instructions accurately.
- Experience with equipment operation, installation, and commissioning.
Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:
- Work Location: The team works onsite at South Treatment Plant 1200 Monster Rd SW, Renton, WA 98057
- Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
- Work Schedule: This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
- Union Representation: This position is represented by SEIU Local 925 - Wastewater Treatment Division.
- Physical Requirement: Must be able to work flexible hours and report to the plant during adverse or inclement weather conditions. Perform field work at a wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities. Lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Work in confined spaces and climb in and out of tanks using ladders. Work safely around high noise levels and exposure to noxious odors.
- Workplace Exposures: Work in all weather conditions in an industrial wastewater environment. Exposure to chemicals, biohazards, and other potentially hazardous material. Frequent exposure to loud noise; hearing protection required. Entering and working in confined spaces. Use of respirators and other personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment: (subject to change)
- Technical vetting interview: Virtual interviews will be held in Mid-May 2026.
- Panel interview: Virtual interviews will be held in Late May 2026.
To apply, submit a:
- Complete Application
- Resume (Required)
- Responses to the supplemental questions
Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.
Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Dan Sherman at dasherman@kingcounty.gov
Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and the WTD Blog.
Discover More About DNRP: Visit our DNRP website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.
Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. 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.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. 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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Government Job Roles in Washington
See all 211+ Government Jobs in Washington
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Search Government Jobs in WashingtonGovernment Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
Which government companies sponsor visas in Washington?
Major visa sponsors include the Department of Defense through Naval Base Kitsap and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Department of Energy at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and the Department of Homeland Security's Seattle field offices. Boeing's defense division, Microsoft's government contracts, and Amazon Web Services GovCloud also sponsor H-1B visas for technical roles supporting government projects.
How to find government visa sponsorship jobs in Washington?
Use Migrate Mate to filter government positions in Washington that sponsor work visas. Focus on federal contractors in Seattle and defense installations around Puget Sound. Many positions require security clearances, so highlight any existing clearance eligibility. Research agencies like the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Defense Department contractors for specialized technical roles.
Which visa types are most common for government roles in Washington?
H-1B visas dominate for technical positions at defense contractors and federal research facilities. L-1 visas are common for international consulting firms working on government contracts. TN visas serve Canadian and Mexican professionals in engineering and scientific roles. O-1 visas occasionally appear for researchers at national laboratories or unique expertise in cybersecurity and defense technology.
Which cities in Washington have the most government sponsorship jobs?
Seattle leads with federal agencies, defense contractors, and tech companies serving government clients. Tacoma offers opportunities through Joint Base Lewis-McChord and port authority positions. Richland hosts the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory with extensive research roles. Olympia provides state government positions, while Everett features Boeing defense manufacturing requiring specialized engineering talent.
What are the prevailing wage requirements for government jobs in Washington?
Government contractors must meet higher prevailing wage standards set by the Department of Labor for federal projects. Washington's high cost of living, particularly in Seattle, drives wages above national averages. Security clearance requirements often increase compensation significantly. Research positions at national laboratories typically offer competitive packages to attract international talent in specialized fields like nuclear engineering and cybersecurity.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored government jobs in Washington?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
See which government employers are hiring and sponsoring visas in Washington right now.
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