Process & Regulatory Performance Engineer

Water Environment Federation; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The District’s Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant in Madison, WI seeks a Process and Regulatory Performance Engineer to support operations, ensure regulatory compliance, and lead process improvements.

Under supervision, you will manage permits, oversee data for regulatory reports, and guide CIP planning while staying current with wastewater developments. This role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams and a proactive approach to problem solving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering required.
• Minimum of three years in wastewater treatment and process control.
• PE registration preferred.
• Wisconsin wastewater operator certification preferred.
• Experience creating engineering documents (SOPs, work plans, PIDs, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Support Nine Springs plant operations and process control.
• Oversee regulatory permits and reporting (WPDES, air permits).
• Coordinate data collection and accuracy for regulatory reporting.
• Ensure compliance with all permits and internal policies.
• Assist CIP planning and small capital projects.
• Provide staff training on regulatory requirements and best practices.
• Respond to regulatory inspections and emergencies as needed.

Skills

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Initiative

Education

Bachelor's in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) registration

Wisconsin wastewater operator certification

Master's degree substitute for experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Process control systems

Data management platforms

Job description

Under general supervision and the direction of the District's Process Engineering Supervisor, this position is a key member of the District's Operations and Maintenance division. As part of the Operations team, the Process and Regulatory Performance Engineer is expected to provide technical support for the operation of the 50 million gallon per day Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Process and Regulatory Performance Engineer is also responsible for ensuring that the District meets all requirements of its regulatory permits, reviews, and documentation. This will include monitoring and conducting water and air emissions reviews and inspections, and submitting required reports and notifications. This role is expected to remain up to date and current on new developments in the field of wastewater treatment and contribute that knowledge during planned expansions of the facilities as well as during day-to-day operations. This position will collaborate with stakeholders and cross-functional teams to meet standards and guidelines, have a growth mindset to a multi-faceted and mission-driven operation while having a focus on maintaining a positive work culture.

Performance of Process Engineering Duties (40%)

Become familiar with the complex operation of the Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant. This includes:

Physical layout of the plant and physical assets.

All processes and unit operations related to wastewater treatment.

Process control algorithms and the means of automatically controlling treatment processes.

Routine tasks performed by operators and maintenance staff.

Manage small operations-related projects (i.e. digester cleaning, polymer trials, etc.). Prepare plans, specifications, and project documents as needed.

Develop CIP business cases related to plant infrastructure as part of CIP planning.

Be involved with consultants in planning, design, and construction activities related to improvements at the treatment plant. Design and manage small engineering projects as needed. Prepare plans, specifications and bidding documents for small plant capital improvement projects.

Remain current on new developments in wastewater treatment and other relevant areas.

Performance of Regulatory Engineering Duties (30%)

Oversee the District's air emissions control permit. Ensure that processes and controls are being operated correctly. Arrange for any required emissions testing.

Ensure that all provisions of the District's Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) Permit are being met.

Ensure data and information necessary for regulatory reporting are collected and stored properly. Verify that these data are correct/accurate.

Ensure all regulatory and compliance reports required by governing bodies, permits, and internal policies are prepared and submitted. This includes, but is not limited to air permit reporting, WPDES reporting, violation events (air, TFO, SSO), lagoon superfund reporting, etc.

Work with other District Staff to ensure that other regulatory requirements, such as general stormwater permitting, CMOM, and CMAR are being met.

Provide assistance with:

Development and implementation of regulatory strategies.

Staff training on regulatory requirements and best practices.

Review of promotional and advertising materials for compliance.

Facilitation of regulatory inspections.

Operational Oversight (20%)

Troubleshoot problems with the treatment processes and provide solutions as needed.

Work closely with the Operator Supervisor and Operations Section staff to maintain and improve treatment performance. Coordinate activities with the Operator Supervisor, Lead Operator, and Operators on a daily basis.

Contribute to meeting the requirements of the District's discharge permit. This may require responding to requests for information, troubleshooting assistance, or general advice outside of normal business hours.

Perform On-call duties on a rotational basis.

In the absence of both the Treatment Plant Manager and Process Engineering Supervisor, may temporarily fulfill duties of those roles as assigned.

May be required to assist in emergency response situations which could require working evenings, nights, or weekends.

Self-Improvement/Professional Development (5%)

Pursue additional learning opportunities to improve technical skills, networking, and professional development. This includes - but is not limited to - conferences and training events (such as seminars, webinars, etc.)

Participate as an active member of relevant professional organizations.

Reflect on and share takeaways from professional development with other staff and the professional community at large.

Complete any and all district required trainings.

Build collaborative relationships with business partners.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor, department leadership, or Executive Director.

Education and Experience

Required:

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering or a closely related engineering field.

A minimum of three years of professional experience related to wastewater treatment and process control or air emissions control. A Master's degree in civil or environmental engineering or a closely related field may substitute for experience.

Basic proficiency and understanding of mechanical and/or electrical systems.

Preferred:

Possess a valid Professional Engineering (PE) registration in Wisconsin or another state.

Possess a valid State of Wisconsin basic or advanced wastewater operator certification for the processes at the Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant, or similar certification from another state.

Experience with creating engineering technical documents (e.g. SOPs, work plans, engineering plans, PIDs, etc.).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously and adhere to deadlines.

Ability to set and execute priorities.

Organized, self-managed, and self-motivated.

Capable of initiating and seeing through projects, programs, and plans with little supervision.

Independent initiative and leadership skills.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with a keen attention to detail.

Strong and effective verbal and written communication (especially technical writing) skills.

Ability to adapt and be agile.

Proficient user of computers and software including Microsoft Office products, data management platforms, process control systems, and document management systems.

Possess a valid certification of registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin or be able to obtain certification when eligible to do so.

Must have or be able to obtain within two years a State of Wisconsin basic wastewater operator certification for the processes at the Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Must possess a valid Wisconsin's driver's license or be able to legally drive in the State of Wisconsin.

Ability to obtain the following within the first year of employment;

o Certified in First Aid/CPR/AED

o FEMA Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS-100)

o ENV SP credential from Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure

Ability to comply with all safety rules and regulations, and report unsafe conditions.