JOB POSTINGTHE SANITATION DISTRICTS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTYinvites applications for the position of:Environmental Engineer(Engineering Associate II, III; Civil Engineer)
CM-210-24
OUR MISSIONThe Sanitation Districts protect public health and the environment through innovative and cost-effective wastewater and solid waste management, and in doing so convert waste into resources such as recycled water, energy and recycled materials.
The incumbent will perform engineering work related to wastewater management and/or solid waste management in areas such as: design, recycled water research and production, energy recovery, stormwater management, operations, water and air quality, planning, construction and source control.
Engineers are involved in all phases of our work, from conception to operation. Almost all engineering is performed in-house, and engineers are encouraged to consider internal transfer opportunities to promote professional growth.
The most qualified applicants will have superior technical writing and communication skills, analytical skills and project management skills. Initial salary placement will be based on the selected candidate's qualifications.
ORGANIZATIONThe Sanitation Districts function on a regional scale and consist of 24 independent special districts serving approximately 5.6 million people in Los Angeles County. To maximize efficiency and reduce costs, the 24 districts work cooperatively under a Joint Administration Agreement with one administrative staff headquartered near the City of Whittier. The Sanitation Districts are a non-civil service public agency with over 1,700 employees, including over 200 engineers.
The Sanitation Districts own and operate 1,400 miles of sewers, 48 active pumping plants, and 11 wastewater treatment plants that convey and treat over half the wastewater in Los Angeles County. The Districts' solid waste management sites similarly provide about one-fourth of the countywide solid waste management needs. The Districts operate two landfills , two landfill energy recovery facilities, one recycle center, and three materials recovery/transfer facilities, and participate in the operation of a refuse-to-energy facility.
BUDGETOverall wastewater and solid waste management budgets for 2022-2023 are $891 million and $169 million, respectively. Both systems provide essential public services at some of the most competitive service charges in the country.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSFor the Engineering Associate classification, applicants must possess:
Option A : A bachelor's degree in a pertinent engineering discipline -
AND - a master's degree in a pertinent engineering discipline;
Option B : A bachelor's degree in a related science -
AND - an Engineer-In-Training Certificate -
AND - a master's degree in a pertinent engineering discipline;
Option C : A bachelor's degree in engineering -
AND - two years of professional engineering experience obtained after earning a bachelor's degree in engineering.
For the professional engineer level, applicants must possess a California Certificate of Registration as a Professional Engineer -
AND - :
Option A : a master's degree in engineering -
AND - three years of professional engineering experience;
Option B : a PhD in engineering -
AND - two years of professional engineering experience;
Option C : six years of professional engineering experience subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree in engineering.
The desirable educational disciplines and qualifications are an ABET accredited bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, chemical or mechanical engineering. Candidates that meet the requirements for the professional engineer level and have education and professional experience in a pertinent engineering discipline are also desirable. For some positions, an ABET accredited master's degree in environmental engineering is preferred. Select positions may require different qualifications, thus it is possible that applicants may be interviewed on different occasions for different positions during the current application cycle.
KNOWLEDGE OF : Engineering theory and practices; principles and practices of physics, chemistry, and higher mathematics used in performing complex professional engineering work; hydraulics; and technical writing.
ABILITY TO : Analyze large scale, complex engineering problems and develop appropriate solutions; apply appropriate engineering principles; prepare and coordinate the preparation of comprehensive reports.
LICENSE : Possession of a valid California Class C driver license.
NOTE : All degrees must be either from an accredited college or university in the United States;
- OR - if a degree was obtained from a foreign college or university, it must be evaluated through a credential evaluation service at the applicant's expense.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONApplication Process:
Online applications are required for consideration, and some applicants may be asked for additional information should they advance in the selection process. The best qualified applicants will be invited to a virtual interview screening, which includes a writing exercise. Those who pass the interview screening will be invited to a formal interview. Formal interviews will be conducted via an online video conference call through Microsoft TEAMS.
Applicants that are invited for an interview are expected to have the ability to be interviewed through their personal device (e.g. desktop, tablet, mobile phone). Applications will be accepted on a continuous until the end of 2024.
As an equal opportunity employer, the Districts strongly encourage people with disabilities and people from historically marginalized communities to apply.
RETIREMENT - CALPERS: The Districts belong to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), and all monthly status new hires will be enrolled in CalPERS. Most new hires will be enrolled in the defined benefit formula of 2% @ 62 in accordance with the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and are required to contribute to the plan (7.75% for the 23/24 fiscal year; Those who qualify based on current or previous public service may be enrolled in the defined benefit formula in place on December 31, 2012, which was 2% @ 55 and are considered “classic” members. For “classic” members, the Districts pay the “employee share.” Please contact the Human Resources Department for more information regarding contribution rates. Although Districts employees are exempt from Social Security, employees are required by federal law to contribute a percentage of their salary for Medicare coverage.
- DEFERRED COMP MATCH: The Districts provides a matching contribution to an eligible deferred compensation plan pursuant to Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code. The match with each paycheck will be the lesser of: 3% of the employee's base monthly salary as listed in the Salary Schedule; and the amount the employee is contributing with that paycheck. The annual total combined employee and employer contribution are subject to IRS limits.
COMPENSATION & PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Employees receive annual salary increases until reaching step 5 of the salary range and are provided with opportunities to promote. Cost of living adjustments are implemented annually in accordance with labor agreements.
Job classifications are compensated on a 5-step salary range. New employees may receive a 5.5% step increase after successfully completing a 6-month probationary period and yearly thereafter until step 5 is reached. The Districts' typically promote qualified internal applicants before considering outside candidates. For engineering professionals, there are three levels of Engineering Associate (EA) and administrative promotion is possible to an EA II or EA III level after an engineer completes 2 years as an EA I or EA II respectively. Engineers are eligible for administrative promotion to the Civil Engineer level when they obtain registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California and have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and 6 years of professional engineering experience, a master's degree from an accredited university and 3 years of professional engineering experience, or a PhD and 2 years of professional engineering experience. An employee with four years of experience at the Civil Engineer level may apply to compete for promotion to Senior Engineer. Promotions to the Senior Engineer level are made depending upon the needs of the Districts. Supervising Engineer positions are filled through a competitive selection process. Management level positions may also be filled through a competitive selection process, or by appointment by the Chief Engineer and General Manager.
HEALTH INSURANCE - MEDICAL: Districts paid. Employees may choose from several HMO and Indemnity plans. As of January 1, 2024, the Districts contribute $2,202.87 per month for medical insurance. Depending on the choice of health plan, the Districts contribution covers all or a large portion of the premium for family coverage.
- DENTAL: Districts paid. The Districts pay the full premium for employee and dependent coverage for a prepaid dental program which provides for most routine dental care through a panel of contracting dentists with no deductibles. Employees are eligible to enroll in an indemnity plan if requested within thirty days after completion of three years of employment (sooner for some bargaining units), or during subsequent open enrollment periods.
- LIFE: The Districts pay for a term life policy. Employees can buy additional types and amounts of life insurance coverage at group rates.
LEAVE TIME - VACATION: Employees receive 88 hours of paid vacation after one full year of service, increasing up to 128 hours per year after five years, 168 hours per year after 15 years and up to 208 hours after 25 years. Prior to one year of full service, employees are given partial vacation time on January 1, based on the time worked in the preceding year.
- SICK LEAVE : Eight hours of full-pay sick leave per month.
- PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees may use up to 40 hours per calendar year from current sick leave for personal reasons.
HOLIDAYS13 paid holidays and one-half paid holiday depending on the employee's work schedule.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENTEmployees may be eligible for tuition reimbursement for approved accredited course work.
STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT REIMBURSEMENTFor some bargaining units, the Districts will provide student loan payment reimbursements for principal or interest paid by the employee on a qualified education loan incurred by the employee for the education of the employee. The annual maximum reimbursement is $5,250 and the lifetime reimbursement limit is $21,000.
ENGINEERING TRANSFER PROGRAMEngineers can participate in a voluntary transfer program to gain experience in various engineering sections. Transfers are made whenever vacancies and qualifications match. An engineer may apply for transfer after they have served in their assignment for 2 years.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & OTHER BENEFITS - A rewarding career contributing to society and the environment.
- Flexible work schedules (e.g. 9/80 schedule) depending on the worksite.
- Clear policies and procedures.
- Health and safety programs.
- Carpool opportunities with monetary incentives depending on the worksite.
More detailed benefits information can be found here: Districts Benefits
NOTE: The provisions of this posting do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this posting may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
Updated December 29, 2023
