Wastewater Process Engineer - Clackamas County (Open Until Filled)

CLOSE DATE

This position will remain open until filled.  The next application review will be May 20th. We reserve the right to close this recruitment at any time on or after that date.

 

BENEFITS

Wage and Benefit Information: 

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package including competitive wages, annual cost-of-living adjustments, annual merit increases (for eligible positions), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status positions.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering a variety of gym membership discounts, onsite fitness classes, onsite Farmers Market with fresh produce available for purchase, annual wellness fairs and alternative care benefits so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle. In addition, WES offers a variety of opportunities to get involved in outside of work that help to protect, preserve, and sustain the environment. Come join our dedicated team and help us in our mission to promote solid sustainability practices that reduces the environmental impact of all our activities.

AFSCME:  Water Environment Services (WES) Full Time Benefits Overview
Learn More About Benefits
Learn More About Wellness Offerings at the County
Learn More About Commuting Options  

Salary Range:  Hourly:  $46.06 - $58.84   |   Annual: $95,812 - $122,390
Union Representation:  Yes, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
Work Schedule: This position will work 40 hours per week. Specific hours will be discussed with the selected applicant.

 

JOB INTRODUCTION

WES in looking to for a Wastewater Process Engineer to join its team. This newly created position will be responsible for performing a variety of advanced level professional engineering duties.  You will be responsible for researching, developing, and optimizing complex chemical and biological systems, serving as a technical resource to WES Management, investigating, researching, and developing solutions for problems in our four water resource recovery facilities and collection system.  Our treatment technologies range from a facultative lagoon to a facility that treats up to 70-mgd and includes a membrane bioreactor (MBR).   

ARE YOU:

  • Passionate about water quality and want to do your part to ensure Clackamas County communities and businesses can live, work and play in a healthy environment? 

  • Independent and self-motivated so that you can identify a need and enjoy digging-in to meet it 

  • Experienced in wastewater treatment processes including conventional suspended growth and fixed-film reactors, MBRs, aerobic and anaerobic digestion and solids processing

  • A compassionate teacher who can convey complex biological and chemical concepts to operations staff

  • Energetic and positive with a can-do attitude?

  • Enthusiastic about representing WES to the regional and national wastewater community?

  • Focused on solving problems and achieving results?

  • A team player who can work collaboratively with engineering and operations staff 

  • A collaborative decision maker who seeks buy-in from District stakeholders?

 If you answered YES, please read on! 

Your new role will work with both engineering and operations staff to improve and optimize operations; design process data systems and manage process monitoring to assess performance; develop and maintain process model(s) to inform both operational and capital investment decisions.  

Ideally you will have excellent communication skills, sound judgment, superb interpersonal skills, interact tactfully with others, have a flexible work style to achieve results, possess a strong attention to detail and enjoy working in a fast-paced, environment.  In addition you would employ a hands-on, proactive, and collaborative approach that builds trust and develops positive, open relationships throughout WES. 

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

  1. Registration as a Professional Engineer. (Registration as PE in another state acquired by examination will temporarily fulfill this requirement provided Oregon registration can be obtained within one year of employment.)

  2. Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering or an engineering field, related to wastewater treatment

  3. Thorough knowledge of and experience in applying Wastewater and Civil Engineering  regulations, principles, and practices 

  4. Experience interpreting, preparing and evaluating engineering specifications, plans, and reports that pertain to design and construction projects

  5. Experience troubleshooting and/or reviewing wastewater treatment processes and facility designs

  6. Previous experience conducting technical wastewater process research

  7. Experience managing complex engineering projects

  8. Strong interpersonal skills that translate into all of the following:

    • exercising tact and good judgment, especially while working with people who are experiencing extreme emotions; 

    • collaborative, team-oriented approach to work;

    • effective problem solving skills;

    • ability to maintain composure in difficult, stressful and quickly emerging situations;

    • ability to handle a wide range of situations and circumstances effectively, positively, and professionally

  9. Possession of a valid driver's license or an acceptable alternative method of transportation. Accommodation requests for an acceptable alternative method of transportation will be reviewed on an individual basis in compliance with State and Federal legislation or based on the hiring department business needs. Specific information on the County's driving policy can be found at Learn more about the County's driving policy.

Preferred Special Qualifications / Transferrable Skills:*

  1. Masters of Science Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering or an engineering field, related to wastewater pumping and treatment

  2. Possession of Wastewater Treatment Certificate, Grade Level IV, issued by the State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality as written in the State of Oregon’s OAR 340-049-0030

  3. Knowledge of Oregon specific Wastewater regulations and requirements

  4. Experienced in design and/or construction of major sanitary or surface water capital projects primarily around wastewater treatment systems

**For Veterans qualified for Veteran’s Preference:  If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Provides training, technical and analytical advice to internal and external stakeholders on the physical, biological, and chemical processes to maximize wastewater process operation efficiency and meet permit requirements; monitors and analyzes process lab data, operator reports, lab reports and energy and chemical usage data.

  2. Conducts analyses of conveyance and influent pump station flow reports to characterize conveyance system performance under normal and emergency conditions; advise on metering and instrumentation equipment needs, interacting with technology and operations.

  3. Manages the development of complex engineering projects; develops schedules, prepares budget and scopes project.  Manages the development and implementation of large scale planning and modeling efforts; serves as engineering liaison with other district sections, departments, and outside agencies.

  4. Troubleshoots and/or reviews wastewater treatment processes and facility designs; evaluates, initiates, and revises process technologies; performs initial data gathering, analysis of the existing systems, initial process design, develops and conducts small and large pilot scale testing, plan reviews, startup troubleshooting and long-term optimization.

  5. Conducts technical wastewater process research; networks and collaborates with peer technologists to exchange knowledge.

  6. Oversees and/or supervises selection and management of engineering consultant contractors; coordinates work with project stakeholders, government agencies, other district sections, contractors, and consultants.

  7. Performs data control activities; proofreads and reviews process data reports to ensure accuracy of data entered; balances values and makes necessary corrections or adjustments.

  8. Serves as a resource to other District staff, external stakeholders, and consultants regarding the wastewater treatment plant processes.
     

Link to full classification specification (HERE)

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Thorough knowledge of: 
Wastewater engineering process, design theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of treatment facility projects; biological nutrient removal processes; membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology process optimization and troubleshooting; wastewater processes and flow monitoring instrumentation; advanced principles and practices of project development, scheduling, and management; principles and practices of budget preparation and administration; English grammar; algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus; engineering computer software applications; water information management systems (WIMS) platforms; principles and practices of data processing, data entry and retrieval techniques; district, state and federal laws, codes, and regulations impacting permits, construction, contracting, environmental protection, surface water and groundwater; construction, use and interpretation of engineering specifications, plans, maps, reports, and wastewater treatment simulation models; process startup and operation.

Working knowledge of: 
Principles and practices of public administration, legislative processes and local government operation; contract and grant preparation, and administration; basic techniques of supervision.

Skill to: 
Evaluation of complex wastewater process engineering; modeling wastewater treatment processes; designing and conducting laboratory and pilot scale tests; documenting and preparing reports on the results of testing; preparing, reviewing and evaluating engineering studies and designs; estimating engineering and construction costs; administering contracts; analyzing problems, identifying alternate solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of goals; researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques; presenting and communicating complex and technical information and data effectively to a variety of audiences, both orally and in writing; lead the work of subordinate personnel; establish and maintain effective working relationships with County staff and the public; listen and comprehend issues and concerns expressed by peers, staff, management, consultants and the public; use of computers and computer software including word processing, spreadsheets, hydraulic modeling, and databases. 

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Occasional duties in the field require walking, twisting, balancing, and involve exposure to inclement weather, noise, and slippery and/or uneven terrain.