Environmental Engineer 6

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA) seeks an Environmental Engineer 6 to lead complex petroleum cleanup oversight under MTCA rules, ensuring state compliance and policy development.

The role requires advanced environmental engineering experience, strong data management, and the ability to draft technical opinions, review site work, and train staff within a flexible/hybrid work schedule.

Qualifications

• Excellent working knowledge of MTCA and soil remediation methods.
• Knowledge of environmental cleanup modeling and fate/transport of contaminants.
• Ability to write legislation and rules and interpret regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of petroleum cleanup oversight across agency programs.
• Review remedial investigations, feasibility studies and cleanup action plans for compliance.
• Draft and review technical opinion letters evaluating MTCA compliance.
• Provide technical peer reviews and develop trainings for staff.

Skills

MTCA knowledge

Environmental engineering

Regulatory review

Data management

Project leadership

Education

Professional Engineer registration (WA)

Engineering degree (Environmental/Wastewater/Civil)

Job description

Environmental Engineer 6

Monday through Friday, 8am - 5pm |Flexible/Hybrid work schedule

Who we are:

The Washington State Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA) provides an effective and efficient government funding model that helps owners and operators meet financial responsibility and environmental cleanup requirements for underground storage tanks. This position supports the agency mission by performing advanced senior level oversight, consultation, and innovative policy development for technically complex petroleum contamination cleanup relating to the agency’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP).

About the position:

The selected candidate will be an expert in environmental engineering and data management. They will also:

• Make sure that petroleum leak cleanups follow state rules and standards.
• Use their own judgement to review cleanup sites.
• Review agency technical opinion letters for consistency.
• Help create new agency policies.

This position provides technical oversight for projects in several agency programs including:

• The Loan and Grant Program.
• The Financial Assurance Program.
• The Reinsurance Program.
• Heating Oil Programs

This position reports to the agency’s Technical Team Supervisor.

Some of what you'll do includes:

• Serving as an agency lead managing and directing petroleum cleanups.
• Independently evaluating remedial investigations, feasibility studies, and specialized cleanup action plans for accuracy and compliance with state laws and regulations.
• Proposing solutions to resolve complex environmental engineering problems on a program-wide basis that require the research and application of advanced environmental engineering techniques and principles.
• Drafting and reviewing technical opinion letters for site owners that evaluate the completed or proposed cleanup against the substantive requirements of the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA).
• Providing technical peer review for agency site managers.
• Developing and implementing effective and engaging technical trainings.

Required Qualifications, Education, Experience, and Competencies

To qualify for this position, you must have a total of eleven (11) years of any combination of qualifying education or qualifying experience.

OPTION 1

Registration as a professional engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington.

AND

Eleven (11) years of experience in environmental engineering which includes one year as an Environmental Engineer 4 or equivalent or two years as an Environmental Engineer 3 or equivalent.

OPTION 2

An Engineer-In-Training Certificate or a bachelor's degree with a major study in one of the following engineering fields: environmental, water resource, civil, geotechnical, 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 seven years of experience in environmental engineering which includes one year as an Environmental Engineer 4 or equivalent or two years as an Environmental Engineer 3 or equivalent.

OPTION 3

A master's degree with major study in one of the following engineering fields: environmental, water resource, civil, geotechnical, 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 which includes one year as an Environmental Engineer 4 or equivalent or two years as an Environmental Engineer 3 or equivalent. ** Equivalent combinations of education, professional experience, military service, public service, or other qualifying education may be substituted year for year for experience.

Qualifications – Position Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Excellent working knowledge of the Model Toxic Control Act (MTCA) and/or soil remediation methods for contaminated site cleanups.
• Knowledge of the following items:
  • Environmental cleanup modeling applications.
  • Fate and transport of petroleum related contaminants.
  • Environmental remediation technologies.
  • Interpretation and application of applicable rules, regulations, and policies.
  • Principles and practices of environmental engineering; design, construction and operation of environmental cleanup technologies; methods and procedures in establishing and administering an environmental control program; laws and regulations governing environmental cleanup.
  • Government administrative structure at local and state levels.
• Ability to:
  • Direct development of designs involving environmental engineering theory and judgement.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with local, state and federal officials.
  • Plan, promote and administer projects.
  • Analyze significant environmental engineering and sanitation data and write evaluative reports.
• Ability to write legislation and rules and interpret and apply applicable rules, regulations, and policies.

Qualifications – General Competencies Required for All Positions at PLIA:

• Effective Communications:
  • Ability to communicate clearly.
  • Ability to write simple and accurate emails and documents.
• Commitment to Ethical Behavior and Integrity:
  • Ability to build trust and respect with coworkers and customers by being honest, open, and professional at all times.
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and ethical behavior at all times.
• Commitment to Equity:
  • Ability to learn about our agency’s diversity, equity and inclusion culture and support those values in your work.
  • Treat everyone as important, and help create a workplace that is fair, inclusive, and respectful for all.
• Commitment to Self-Awareness and the Desire for Personal Growth:
  • Ability to learn new things and grow in a changing workplace.
  • Ability to balance work and personal life to bring out your best.
  • Ability to multi-task and handle stress in a changing workplace.
• Effective Interactions with Others:
  • Ability to recognize and address the needs of others.
  • Ability to build and improve teamwork with many different coworkers and customers.
  • Ability to remain calm and helpful with difficult customers.

You must provide all of the following items in order to be considered:

• A letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting.
• A current resume detailing experience and education.
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

If you fail to provide these items, PLIA may not consider you for the position.

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.)

General suggestions for creating a good application packet:

• Read the job posting carefully and find out as much as you can about the position.
• Make sure to follow all application instructions and include all requested documentation.
• Make sure your supplemental question responses address how you meet required and desired qualifications.
• Pay careful attention to each component of the supplemental questions. Provide examples of when and where you achieved the proficiency level required for this role.
• Specifically, include all of your work experiences doing the same or similar work required for this role.

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the application. Please do not refer to resume for detail, or your application may be disqualified.

Opportunity for All:

Diversity is a core value at PLIA. We are committed to building an inclusive and equitable workforce that celebrates diverse cultures, lived experiences, and perspectives. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws. You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

The culture of respect that we strive for at PLIA promotes a work environment where we can best serve people of all backgrounds across Washington State.

If you need accommodation during the screening process or a copy of this announcement in an alternative format, please contact us at 800-822-3905 or by email at [e-mail].

Contact Information:

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, email the recruiter: Rachel Vaughan via [e-mail].