Drinking Water Process Technical Expert

Kennedy Jenks; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k

Bonus opportunities

Tuition reimbursement

Competitive PTO and holiday plan

Job summary

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a National Water Treatment Technical Expert in Portland, Oregon. This role involves providing expertise in drinking water quality and treatment, guiding and mentoring junior staff, and supporting municipal drinking water treatment projects.

The ideal candidate will have at least 15 years of experience in drinking water treatment engineering and a PE license. The position offers a hybrid work model with significant benefits, including medical insurance and 401k.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in drinking water treatment engineering.
• Professional engineer (PE) license required.
• Ability to read and analyze technical documents and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise for municipal drinking water treatment.
• Support client service managers in project interviews.
• Guide and mentor on process design for complex water projects.

Skills

Drinking water treatment engineering

Mentoring staff

Process design evaluation

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in civil/environmental engineering

Job description

Founded in 1919, KJ has always looked to the future. With a talented team of professionals and a culture of continuous improvement, we deliver exceptional engineering and environmental consulting services today, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Using new advanced analytics, technology, and tools, KJ improves designs, reduces risk, and finds better ways to deliver projects. KJ is at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions for clients, including green infrastructure design, strategies to reduce energy use and environmental impacts, and award‑winning water reuse projects. We are known for our dedication to industry‑leading client service and tailored solutions.

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a National Water Treatment Technical Expert, serving as a drinking water quality and treatment subject matter expert for clients and project teams across the firm. The ideal candidate will have broad understanding and experience in drinking water treatment technologies and regulations, and a desire to serve as a mentor to mid‑level staff to develop their skills in water treatment. If you are a motivated and experienced drinking water engineer with a passion for mentoring staff and serving our water clients, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical process and water quality expertise for municipal drinking water treatment, water reuse, and advanced water purification, including treatment process evaluation, process selection, preliminary engineering studies, and operations optimization.
• Support client service managers and business development efforts, serving as a technical subject matter expert at in‑person and virtual meetings and project interviews.
• Participate in project pursuits and interviews, including developing treatment process innovations, technical approach and scope items.
• Guide, mentor and/or lead process design in feasibility studies, facility plans, and process pilot testing for complex water projects.
• Guide, mentor and/or lead process preliminary design, including preparation of basis of design reports and preliminary engineering drawings and specifications for complex water projects. Guide the development and/or provide quality control review of process flow diagrams, process design criteria, and process and instrumentation diagrams.
• Guide, mentor and/or lead the process performance evaluation and operations optimization of existing water treatment facilities.
• Actively participate in water‑focused professional organizations; submit abstracts and confidently present technical material at regional and national conferences.
• Collaborate with our Applied Research Group staff to support and/or participate in research projects related to water quality and water treatment processes.
• Collaborate with our private sector water treatment staff to support and/or participate in projects related to industrial water quality and water treatment processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in civil / environmental engineering, or related scientific discipline required.
• 15+ years of experience in drinking water treatment engineering.
• Practical professional engineer (PE) license required. License in one or multiple states (CA, CO, FL, HI, OR, TX, VA, WA) preferred.
• Ability to interact professionally both internally and externally. Ability to relay technical information competently to clients, as needed. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, government regulations, reports, design drawings, specifications, and technical memos.
• Ability to work independently and/or as a valuable member of the team.
• Ability to collaborate with and mentor junior and senior staff in water quality and water treatment processes and regulations.

Kennedy Jenks supports a healthy work‑life balance and utilizes a hybrid model of home and office work, with a minimum of two days per week in the office. This approach empowers our people to thrive, collaborate, and achieve their full potential.

The salary range for this position is anticipated to be $150,000 to $200,000 and may vary based upon education, experience, qualifications, licensure/certifications and geographic location.

Benefits summary: Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401k, bonus opportunities, tuition reimbursement, professional registration support, a competitive PTO and holiday plan, and other benefits and programs.

Kennedy Jenks is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.