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Senior Facility Management Engineer (Environmental Engineer 5)




Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen



As a Professional Engineer with experience in wastewater treatment and permitting, join our team and serve as a senior environmental engineering specialist with responsibility for technical and policy issues involving municipal point source permits and related water quality improvement plans (TMDLs).
 
The Water Quality Program in the Department of Ecology is looking to fill an Environmental Engineer 5 position. This position will be located in our Northwest Regional Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.

The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington's waters to support healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures state waters can support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health. 

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership who embrace the value of people.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
  • An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
  • Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, and fitness classes; an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.


Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
 
Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
 
Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
 
Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
 
Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
 
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding building occupancy, mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 

Please Note: The salary posted above does not include the additional 5% premium pay that this position will receive due to this position's location in King County.   
 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of August 19, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before August 18. 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Duties

What you'll do:
As a senior engineer, you will help solve technical and policy issues involving municipal wastewater facilities and water quality improvement plans (also known as Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs) that affect their discharge permit conditions. You will:
 
  • Write and manage wastewater discharge permits and reclaimed water permits for municipal, privately-owned, or state-owned sewage treatment plants.
  • Develop permit conditions and apply mathematical models to complex biological, chemical and physical properties of the discharge and receiving environment.
  • Review and recommend approval or disapproval of general sewer plans, engineering reports, plans and specifications, operations and maintenance manuals, and construction quality assurance plans.
  • Participate in program teams including the Permit Writers Work Group.
  • Provide technical assistance; respond to inquiries and requests for information; meet with dischargers and consultants to review permit conditions, regulatory requirements, technical findings, and permit issues.
  • Advise other engineers and scientists on complex facility management projects and TMDLs that involve point source discharges.
  • Assess compliance, conduct inspections, and work with the Enforcement Specialist to develop enforcement actions.
  • Review applications and serve as a project manager for Ecology-funded loan and grant projects.
  • Mentor, review work, and train other engineers in the section.

Why join the team?

This is a great opportunity to stretch your technical and policy skills as part of a dedicated team of colleagues, working to apply state and federal regulations in a critical area of public infrastructure. As the state begins implementing the first Puget Sound Nutrients General Permit and the Puget Sound Nutrient Reduction Plan, you’ll have a key role helping the Northwest region’s wastewater facilities understand and fulfill their new requirements.


Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational, volunteer and lived-experience. See below for how you may qualify.

Option 1: 
  • An Engineer-In-Training Certificate or a Bachelor's degree with a major study in one of the following engineering fields, sanitary, civil, geotechnical, water resource, environmental, chemical, mechanical or related field 
  • Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington
  • Five (5) years of experience in environmental engineering.


Option 2: 
  • A Master's degree with major study in one of the following engineering fields, sanitary water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field 
  • Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington
  • Four (4) years of experience in environmental engineering.

Option 3:
  • A PhD with major study in one of the following engineering fields, sanitary water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field 
  • Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington
  • Two (2) years of experience in environmental engineering.


Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

  • Must have a valid Driver’s License
  • Must registered as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington


Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

  • Experience writing NPDES permits for municipal wastewater treatment plants.
  • Experience reviewing or preparing wastewater treatment engineering documents.
  • Familiarity with dilution modeling principles and software such as CORMIX or PLUMES.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

NOTE: Individuals who are interested in applying to this position, and believe they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington based on reciprocity, are responsible for ensuring they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington prior to submitting their application materials. These requirements can be found at the following website: WA State: Board of Registration for Professional Engineers: How to get your license: Professional engineer by comity

Supplemental Information

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

  • Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
  • If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
  • If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology 
Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

  • A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position
  • A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable. 
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

  • Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
  • Do not attach documents that are password protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees: 
 
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Laura Fricke at: Laura.Fricke@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Laura to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedInTwitterFacebookInstagram or our blog.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.