Description

About the Role:
The King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) protects public health and the environment of the central Puget Sound region by collecting and treating wastewater, while recovering valuable resources that would otherwise be lost. We manage a vital infrastructure that contributes to the region’s economic development and provide services to 18 cities, 15 local sewer districts, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, and nearly two million residents across a 424-square-mile area in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties.

The Wastewater Process Engineer II will play a key role on the WTD process team and will participate in a diverse body of work such as overseeing and providing technical support for Brightwater Wastewater Treatment Plant processes (secondary treatment, solids handling, anaerobic digestion, resource recovery, membrane bioreactor, etc.). The Wastewater Process Engineer II will also be responsible for leading process, energy, and chemical optimization projects and pilot testing for various process areas as well as ensuring regulatory compliance with treatment plant permits (e.g. Municipal Wastewater, Puget Sound Nutrient, Industrial Stormwater, Reclaimed Water, and air permits), compiling regulatory reports, and acting as process subject matter expert for Operation & Maintenance staff and leadership, and capital projects.

With about 1000 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that serves over 2.3 million King County residents. Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to protect public health and the environment by collecting and cleaning wastewater while recovering valuable resources for a healthy and resilient Puget Sound.

What you will be doing:

• Monitor and track wastewater treatment unit processes (liquids, solids/biosolids, odor control, energy recovery, reclaimed water, etc.) and overall plant operations to ensure regulatory compliance, optimize final product quality and resource recovery, and minimize chemical and power use and costs.
• Plan and conduct field and pilot scale studies, research projects, and/or engineering studies to optimize existing plant processes, chemical use, energy use, or trial new processes. Review and evaluate start-up and commissioning procedures for new equipment and systems. Prepare project proposals, technical reports, and presentations for diverse audiences.
• Develop plans for field sampling and laboratory analysis. Coordinate and schedule associated laboratory work for project(s) with appropriate responsible parties. Evaluate, organize, review, and prepare data for technical reports and presentations.
• Interpret and understand applicable regulations and permits and work to ensure compliance with enforcement agencies such as Department of Ecology, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, EPA, etc. Assist management staff in permit, policy, and budgetary evaluation and requirements.
• Act as subject matter expert for capital project teams in evaluating process alternatives, design, implementation, and operational needs associated with new and system rehabilitation projects.

Requirements

Qualifications you bring

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant fields such as environmental, mechanical, industrial, civil, chemical, or biological engineering.
• Combination of 4+ years of professional and/or educational experience in biological and/or chemical processes and process control. Experience qualifications can consist of, but is not limited to, any combination of the following: consulting, academic, research, utility, industrial, and/or commercial environment.
• Experience collecting, understanding, analyzing, and interpreting data in an educational and/or professional environment.
• Computer proficiency measured through familiarity with and use of general software (Microsoft Office 360: Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) and/or through familiarity with and use of industry specific software (e.g., Lab Information Management Systems, Distributed Control Systems, Water Information Systems, and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems).
• Strong written communication skills measured through a detailed review of submitted materials (e.g., cover letter, resume, and answers to supplemental questions).

Required licenses:

• State of Washington Driver’s License or ability to obtain one within 6 months.
• Ability to obtain an Engineer In Training license (EIT) or a Professional Engineering license (PE) within 1 year.
• Ability to obtain a Washington State Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Group III OIT certificate within 1 year and ability to obtain Group III (non-OIT) certificate within 2 years.

It would be great if you also bring:

• Experience with wastewater treatment processes at municipal treatment plants, wastewater consulting firms, academic/research institutions, and/or industrial manufacturers with on-site treatment plants.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment and resource recovery, including biosolids, recycled water, energy, sustainability, nutrient management, and contaminants of emerging concern in the wastewater context.
• Knowledge of the application of chemistry, biology, engineering, or physical sciences techniques and principles; scientific methods and procedures; and application of laboratory practices and analytical techniques and methods; test engineering.

Additional preferred qualifications include skills in: 

• Problem solving and critical thinking techniques and principles
• Working independently, taking initiative, time management, and task prioritization
• Training, guiding, and monitoring junior staff
• Utilizing team building techniques and principles to collaborate with other groups to solve problems
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse groups of people in varying occupations
• Strong verbal and written technical communication skills