Wastewater Engineer - Principal

Summary
This opportunity is open to current King County employees. We are not accepting external applications at this time.

About the Role:
This is an exciting opportunity to apply your technical skills and to share your knowledge as you lead a fun and collaborative team dedicated to creating high quality modeling analyses that enable cost-effective improvements in our regional infrastructure, environment and water quality. You will help shape the modeling group by supporting and growing staff and reviewing work to ensure products continue to be comprehensive, easily understood, and of high quality. You will have your own technical work supporting WTD projects and programs by providing advanced level engineering work developing, evaluating, and implementing hydraulic and hydrodynamic models, performing calibration, summarizing and interpreting model results. The ideal candidate will apply professional technical and people leader experience and find fulfillment leading a high performing modeling team to provide high quality and responsive support. You will have the opportunity to work individually and as part of a team with a wide range of people throughout WTD, with consultants and other governmental agencies.

These positions will each lead a select group of Modeling engineers in the Planning, Inspection, Modeling, Monitoring, & Mapping Unit (PIM3). They will provide work oversight for engineering analyses and modeling for wastewater projects and will be assigned other modeling/engineering duties. Work will be split between technical (engineering) and non-technical (administrative/lead) duties. Work will be performed with minimal supervision. The duties of the lead positions will include the oversight and technical support of other modelers while the engineering duties will differ, provide coaching and mentoring while helping to build a culture of collaboration, support and technical quality. The ideal candidates will effectively manage, measure, problem solve and prioritize work while motivating others.

About the Team:
The Modeling Group provides cost-effective analyses and predictions of the quality and quantity of water to support capital project planning, design and operating decisions/strategies that affect the protection and improvement of public health and the environment. Our group is an open and supportive group of professionals dedicated to producing high quality products that inform many aspects of WTD. Our work spans a wide range of activities, including calibrating models, analyzing data, collecting field data, evaluating design questions, addressing climate change and sea level rise issues, and solving urban hydrology problems. Modeling works together as a team but also provides individual autonomy and responsibility to complete work tasks. We seek to understand the big picture, encourage innovation, and strive to improve how we do our work. We have a strong work ethic and equally strong belief in a balanced work-life ethic.

Our primary mission is to provide high-quality treatment to wastewater collected from local sewer agencies. With a workforce of about 800 employees and multiple facilities, we serve a population of 2 million people. Our goal is to ensure clean water for the present and future generations, preserving the natural beauty of our environment. We are committed to accountability, both to our ratepayers and to operating as a well-managed agency.

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 services 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 safeguard our precious water resources.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Wastewater Engineer - Principal , you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.
Job Duties
What You Will Be Doing:

• Provide guidance and coaching to modeling staff, as needed. Organize, assign and direct the work of modeling and support staff.
• Review modeling and engineering analysis work for completeness, accuracy, and content. Review consultant project documents in one or more core areas of expertise.
• Establish and maintain division written standards and specifications for modeling services within the incumbent's area of expertise.
• Respond to questions from the general public, consultants and/or other County staff regarding technical issues related to County facilities and operation of the WTD conveyance and treatment system.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications You Bring:

• A minimum of eight (8) years of experience as a licensed professional engineer. Experience will include modeling of sewer systems, wastewater treatment processes, and/or surface water quality and must demonstrate knowledge of combined and separated sewer system modeling, control of regulator and pumping stations, modeling of receiving water hydrodynamics and contaminant transport, mathematics, physical and engineering sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing and be able to relate technical information to a wide variety of audiences such as consultants, contractors, vendors, and project team members.
• Must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience using MIKE+, GPS-X, and/or STAR-CCM+ software.

Competencies You Bring :

• Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Customer Focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer centric solutions.
• Nimble Learning - Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Tech Savvy - Anticipating and adopting innovations in business-building digital and technology applications.
• Plans and Aligns - Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.

Required Licenses:

• Valid Washington State driver's license or out-of-state equivalent.
• Registration as a professional engineer (PE) in the State of Washington or the conversion of an out-of-state license within 90 days from date of hire is mandatory.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Demonstrated ability to perform complex hydrologic, hydraulic and/or contaminant transport in sewer systems and/or receiving waters.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to resolve conflict; establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and clients.
• Ability to manage a variety of work simultaneously.
• Experience with the planning of complex wastewater treatment and/or conveyance and water reuse related capital projects involving rigorous permitting and public involvement.
• Demonstrated proficiency in communicating complex technical subjects to clients, project teams, the general public, and government officials.
• Experience as a supervisor or lead in a work unit.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements are 2 times a month. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department's vision of Green Where We Work.
• Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
• Work Schedule: This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: Technical Employees Association (TEA)

Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified internal King County employees only. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Responses to the supplemental questions

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

W ho to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Diana Eberly at diana.eberly@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and the WTD Blog.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our DNRP website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Closing Date/Time:

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• King County Wastewater Treatment Division

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