Wastewater Process Engineer II - Brightwater

King County; Woodinville (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

King County’s Brightwater facility in Woodinville, WA seeks a Wastewater Process Engineer II to lead optimization projects across secondary treatment, solids handling, digestion, and resource recovery. The role focuses on regulatory compliance, data-driven process improvement, and collaboration with Operations, Maintenance, and capital teams.

The engineer will oversee pilot testing, permit interpretation, and technical reporting, while serving as SME for capital projects and plant operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental, mechanical, industrial, civil, chemical, or biological engineering.
• 4+ years of professional and/or educational experience in biological and/or chemical processes and process control.
• Experience collecting, understanding, analyzing, and interpreting data.
• Proficiency with general software and industry software (LIMS, DCS, WIMS, CMMS).
• Strong written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and track wastewater treatment unit processes and plant operations to ensure regulatory compliance and optimize resource recovery.
• Plan and conduct field and pilot studies; review start-up procedures and prepare proposals and reports.
• Develop field sampling plans; coordinate laboratory work and prepare data for technical reports.
• Interpret regulations and permits; assist with permit, policy, and budget evaluation.
• Act as subject matter expert for capital projects evaluating process alternatives and implementation needs.

Skills

Data analysis

Written communication

Regulatory compliance

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental, mechanical, industrial, civil, chemical, or biological engineering

Tools

LIMS

DCS

WIMS

CMMS

Job description

About the Role:

The Wastewater Process Engineer II will play a key role on the WTD process team and will participate in a diverse body of work such as overseeing and providing technical support for Brightwater Wastewater Treatment Plant processes (secondary treatment, solids handling, anaerobic digestion, resource recovery, membrane bioreactor, etc.). The Wastewater Process Engineer II will also be responsible for leading process, energy, and chemical optimization projects and pilot testing for various process areas as well as ensuring regulatory compliance with treatment plant permits (e.g. Municipal Wastewater, Puget Sound Nutrient, Industrial Stormwater, Reclaimed Water, and air permits), compiling regulatory reports, and acting as process subject matter expert for Operation & Maintenance staff and leadership, and capital projects.

About the Team:

This is a great opportunity to embark on a career dedicated to protecting public health and the environment, working for an essential county agency with teams of dedicated professionals. The Process Team is devoted to providing engineering, analytical, and technical expertise to operations and maintenance, project planning and delivery, planning, and engineering teams while ensuring that wastewater and combined sewer overflow facilities comply with compliance and regulatory permits.

Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 1000 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.

We partner with regulatory agencies 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. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Process Engineer II, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work.

Learn more at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity

What You Will Be Doing:

• Monitor and track wastewater treatment unit processes (liquids, solids/biosolids, odor control, energy recovery, reclaimed water, etc.) and overall plant operations to ensure regulatory compliance, optimize final product quality and resource recovery, and minimize chemical and power use and costs.

• Plan and conduct field and pilot scale studies, research projects, and/or engineering studies to optimize existing plant processes, chemical use, energy use, or trial new processes. Review and evaluate start-up and commissioning procedures for new equipment and systems. Prepare project proposals, technical reports, and presentations for diverse audiences.

• Develop plans for field sampling and laboratory analysis. Coordinate and schedule associated laboratory work for project(s) with appropriate responsible parties. Evaluate, organize, review, and prepare data for technical reports and presentations.

• Interpret and understand applicable regulations and permits and work to ensure compliance with enforcement agencies such as Department of Ecology, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, EPA, etc. Assist management staff in permit, policy, and budgetary evaluation and requirements.

• Act as subject matter expert for capital project teams in evaluating process alternatives, design, implementation, and operational needs associated with new and system rehabilitation projects.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in relevant fields such as environmental, mechanical, industrial, civil, chemical, or biological engineering.
• Combination of 4+ years of professional and/or educational experience in biological and/or chemical processes and process control. Experience qualifications can consist of, but is not limited to, any combination of the following: consulting, academic, research, utility, industrial, and/or commercial environment.
• Experience collecting, understanding, analyzing, and interpreting data in an educational and/or professional environment.
• Computer proficiency measured through familiarity with and use of general software (Microsoft Office 360: Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) and/or through familiarity with and use of industry specific software (e.g., Lab Information Management Systems, Distributed Control Systems, Water Information Systems, and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems).
• Strong written communication skills measured through a detailed review of submitted materials (e.g., cover letter, resume, and answers to supplemental questions.

Competencies You Bring:

• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• State of Washington Driver’s License or ability to obtain one within 6 months.
• Ability to obtain an Engineer In Training license (EIT) or a Professional Engineering license (PE) within 2 years.
• Ability to obtain a Washington State Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Group III OIT certificate within 1 year and ability to obtain Group III (non-OIT) certificate within 2 years.

It Would Be Great If You Also Bring:

• Experience with wastewater treatment processes at municipal treatment plants, wastewater consulting firms, academic/research institutions, and/or industrial manufacturers with on-site treatment plants.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment and resource recovery, including biosolids, recycled water, energy, sustainability, nutrient management, and contaminants of emerging concern in the wastewater context.
• Knowledge of the application of chemistry, biology, engineering, or physical sciences techniques and principles; scientific methods and procedures; and application of laboratory practices and analytical techniques and methods; test engineering.

Workplace Exposures:

• Incumbents perform field work at a wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities and are required to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, work in confined spaces, climb in and out of tanks using ladders, and work around noxious odors and high noise levels.

Working Conditions.

• Work Location: Brightwater Treatment Plant - 22505 State Route 9 SE, Woodinville, WA 98072.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. The work schedule will be determined based on business needs. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible. The position requires the ability to work during adverse and inclement weather conditions.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. L925 (Wastewater Treatment Division).

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.