We’re looking for a Professional Engineer to supervisor nine professional staff who oversee the treatment of municipal wastewater in Southwest Washington.

In this role, you will support a team of hydrogeologists, engineers, and environmental specialists by providing technical guidance and oversight of engineering-related work products, as well as direct supervision.

As an agency, we invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Agency Mission: The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment, for current and future generations.

Program Mission: 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.

What will you do?

You will lead the Municipal Operations Unit in their work to protect water quality by implementing federal and state water pollution control laws and regulations for nearly 100 municipal wastewater treatment facilities.

Staff in this unit write waste discharge permits, review wastewater treatment plans, review general sewer plans, oversee pretreatment, verify compliance, review discharge monitoring reports, review treatment system engineering reports, and recommend enforcement actions.

As a Unit Supervisor, you will:

• Work with the team to set unit goals. Assign work and projects to staff, track progress, and evaluate performance.
• Promote professional development within the team.
• Ensure the unit is resourced appropriately. Develop budget requests for the work of the unit, and recruit for, hire, and train staff.
• Participate as a key member of the regional Water Quality Program Operation and Management Team. Provide input on section operations, strategic planning, work load assignments, and human resources planning.

As a Professional Engineer, you will:

• Serve as the southwest section’s authority on municipal wastewater treatment facilities.
• Represent the southwest section as a registered Professional Engineer at technical negotiations to resolve complex environmental engineering issues involving regulatory compliance, wastewater treatment feasibility, permit limits, conditions, and applicability, water quality investigations, and pollutant sampling.
• Review engineering reports, plans, and specifications for wastewater treatment systems.
• Oversee staff engineering decisions and negotiations on wastewater management, treatment, or disposal programs to ensure compliance with regulations and policies.
• Support other engineers in the unit with particularly complex projects or engineering problems.
• Serve as an expert witness in legal proceedings.

How will you do it?

To be successful in this position, you will need to be able to:

• Connect frequently and collaboratively with other supervisors and staff in other regional offices and headquarters
• Engage in program-wide, long-term planning efforts to help build a strong Water Quality program
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences
• Promote inclusivity and contribute to an organizational culture of belonging

Why join the team?

Our team of professionals is highly experienced and knowledgeable. We regulate domestic wastewater discharged from nearly 100 wastewater treatment plants. We work with the locals communities who run the plants, some of which are very large facilities treating millions of gallons of wastewater per day and some treat wastewater from only a few homes. We ensure that our groundwater, rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound are all protected.

Please note: During Stay Home, Stay Healthy, staff are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need.

Ecology is maintaining less than maximum building occupancy, and requiring masks, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.

This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of January 27, 2021  In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before January 26, 2021.

Required Qualifications:

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 AND Registration as a professional engineer in the State of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington AND four years of experience in environmental engineering.

OR

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 AND Registration as a professional engineer in the State of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington AND five years of experience in environmental engineering.

Note: A Ph.D in one of the above engineering fields will substitute for two years of the environmental engineering experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supervising, hiring, managing, and leading professional staff.
• Experience leading teams and projects involving multiple staff.
• Experience in the domestic wastewater treatment field.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• Licensed as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington.

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 Licensing (DOL) Official Site: How to get your license: Professional engineer by comity 

Why work for Ecology?

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 the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS),  Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth

Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information

Application Instructions:

• Complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile’s resume text field.
• Please include as attachments:
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience.
• Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
• Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume,” may disqualify you from further consideration.

It is in the candidate’s best interest to submit all of the documents listed above. Applications without these documents may be declined.

Department of 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.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”

Other Information:

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 have specific questions about the position, please email Andrew Kolosseus at Andrew.Kolosseus@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Andrew to inquire about the status of your application.

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.

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.