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Water Quality Financial Assistance Engineer (Environmental Engineer 5)



Per Governor Inslee’s Directive 22-13.1, state employees must be fully vaccinated effective November 4, 2022. Providing proof of being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment and your vaccine status will be verified prior to starting work. Being fully vaccinated means two weeks after you have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, licensed or otherwise authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or listed for emergency use or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  


Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Water Quality Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Water Quality Financial Assistance Engineer (Environmental Engineer 5) position. 

This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.


Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

In this role, you will be a key member of the Financial Management Section team, serving as the lead environmental engineer supporting the water quality financial assistance programs, including the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan program, helping direct the award of over $250 million in grant and loan funding each year in support of community wastewater infrastructure. You will provide expertise and essential environmental engineering technical assistance to local governments, tribes, stakeholders, and other state agencies to ensure compliance with state and federal statutes, rules, and guidelines used to manage the complex multi-million dollar state and federal grant and loan programs for water pollution control facilities to improve and protect water quality statewide.

As program lead for wastewater infrastructure financial and technical assistance, you will lead the Wastewater Financial Assistance Workgroup, plan and develop policy and procedures to meet state and federal requirements, develop programs for targeted technical assistance to disadvantaged communities, and assist and guide staff in the management and oversight of complex wastewater infrastructure projects. You will also engage with other state and federal funding agencies to collaborate and coordinate financial assistance and develop best practices to improve statewide infrastructure outcomes.

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.  

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position is not currently required to work in the office on a regular basis. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. Looking ahead, Ecology has recently updated the agency policies on telework and flexible and compressed work schedules. Applicants with questions about position location options, telework, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” 
 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of December 21, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before December 20, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

About the Department of Ecology
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 that embraces 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, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Our commitment to DEIR
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. 

Duties


What makes this role unique? 
This is an exciting and dynamic position working with a great team of environmental specialists, planners, and engineers focused on helping municipalities with technical and financial assistance to meet their clean water infrastructure needs. As the senior professional engineer you will provide technical information to policy makers and provide engineering technical advice, guidance, mentoring and consulting expertise to funding recipients, as well as Water Quality Program engineers and non-engineering staff responsible for implementing the state and federal grant and loan programs, including emerging programs such as emerging contaminants, stormwater, and reclaimed water.

You will represent the Section as an authority in wastewater engineering requirements related to Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and work closely and collaboratively with Ecology regional engineers, project managers, and permit managers, and other state and federal infrastructure funding agencies, in addressing CWSRF loan requirements.


What you will do: 

  • Provide leadership and engineering support to Ecology staff who help communities that need wastewater and stormwater infrastructure improvements and upgrades. 
  • Lead the Wastewater Financial Assistance Workgroup to ensure consistency and coordination of financial assistance policies and procedures. Facilitate process improvement and development of new tools to improve project management and program outcomes.
  • Provide guidance, and develop policies, procedures, and trainings on project alternatives analysis, value planning, and asset management in support of community wastewater projects. 
  • Provide leadership and develop policies and procedures for addressing federal funding requirements, including American Iron and Steel, Davis Bacon wages, and the new Buy America Build America Act.
  • Coordinate and collaborate with other state and federal funding agencies and groups, and participate and support the efforts of the Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council.
  • Act as Ecology’s water quality financial assistance representative with other state and federal funding agencies and groups that coordinate and collaborate on resources, tools, policies, methods, and means to provide consistent technical assistance to communities with infrastructure challenges.
  • Develop technical guidance on cost effective wastewater management principles and best management practices for addressing community wastewater systems.
  • Support the financial management section throughout the annual funding cycle. This includes guideline development, application, evaluation, agreement negotiation, and presenting information in support of annual Application Workshops, Evaluator Trainings, and Recipient Training.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer 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, which may include:
  • Environmental engineering expertise in wastewater, stormwater, or reclaimed water treatment, collection, and distribution technologies and laws, and specifically:
  • Professional work experience providing environmental engineering analysis and completing engineering reviews
  • Familiarity with treatment technologies, treatment plant and collection system operation and maintenance. Professional work experience in wastewater treatment engineering and regulation.

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, which may include experience listed in Option 1 above. 

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, which may include experience listed in Option 1 above.


Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 
  • Must be 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.

  • Wastewater facility engineering related work.
  • Experience with contract or grant management, inter-local agreements, procurement and bid processes.
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 on 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.
  • Three professional references.

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 (such as 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 Jeff Nejedly at: Jeff.Nejedly@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Jeff 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.