Wastewater Process Engineer II - Brightwater
King County, WA
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Job summary
King County is seeking a Wastewater Process Engineer II to oversee and optimize treatment plant processes, support energy and chemical use efficiency, and ensure regulatory permits are met. You will lead pilot studies and provide SME support to operations, maintenance, and capital projects at the Brightwater facility.
The role emphasizes data-driven decision making, collaboration with regulatory agencies, and leadership in process improvements across secondary treatment, solids handling, and
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental, mechanical, industrial, civil, chemical, or biological engineering.
- 4+ years in biological and/or chemical processes and process control.
- Experience collecting, interpreting, and analyzing data.
- Familiarity with MS Office and industry software tools.
Responsibilities
- Monitor wastewater treatment unit processes and plant operations for regulatory compliance and efficiency.
- Plan and conduct field and pilot studies; review start-up and commissioning procedures.
- Develop sampling plans and coordinate lab analyses; prepare technical reports.
- Interpret regulations and assist with permit, policy, and budget evaluations.
- Act as subject matter expert for capital project teams on process design and implementation.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
This is a competitive posting, and the position is open to all qualified candidates.
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.
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.
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 about our commitment 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. 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 a technical assessment and one or more panel interviews.
- Technical Assessment: virtual, week of 12/14/26
- Panel Interview: virtual, week of 12/21/26
- Complete Application
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Responses to the supplemental questions
Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.
If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact Rodney Dungo at rdungo@kingcounty.gov.
King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.
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.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite activity centers
- Employee Giving Program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
02 Describe your educational background and any professional, academic, and/or consulting experience you have with biological and/or chemical treatment processes and process control. Experience can include, but is not limited to academic projects, research, utility, industrial, commercial, and/or professional engineering. Where did you perform this work?
03 Describe your experience interpreting and analyzing data. Provide details pertaining to how the data was used and applied to your project or task.
04 Describe your experience working with data, monitoring systems, database management programs, and software programs. Include details about how you integrated this program into your specific work tasks.
05 Are you applying to this position as an eligible Priority Placement Program Participant who is a current or previous King County Employee impacted by layoff? AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
06 If you answered yes to the above question and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff.
- Required Question
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