Test Engineer

Summary

About the Role:
This position provides an opportunity to work at the intersection of an operating wastewater treatment plant and the advancement of new technology in the wastewater industry. A primary role of this position is testing innovative treatment technologies and participating in applied research projects. Overall, this position is responsible for evaluating the applicability of new technologies to King County wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance, which includes monitoring trends in the wastewater industry. This position supports innovation and helps ensure that WTD has a well-thought-out approach to support emerging regulations and new developments in research and technology.

The position includes a very diverse body of work ranging from participating in wastewater research projects to pilot testing new technologies in the treatment plant. Projects frequently require a working knowledge of equipment, instrumentation, and controls typically found in a wastewater treatment plant. To manage these challenges, the person in this position needs to be action-oriented, take initiative, develop effective verbal and written communication skills, and be willing to learn new technical skills. The person in this role will gain technical expertise, have an opportunity to attend and present at local and national technical conferences, collaborate with external researchers, and learn about - and shape - cutting-edge research. This position is a Wastewater Engineer at the Journey level.

About the Team:
The Test Engineer Position is in the Technology Assessment Program which is part of the Policy & Research Group. This group is in the Resource Recovery Unit which is housed in the Operations & Maintenance Section of the King County Wastewater Treatment Division.

The Technology Assessment Program (TAP) ensures that WTD takes full advantage of wastewater industry innovations. TAP provides technical services to stimulate innovation, build a sustainable and resilient future, advance resource recovery, and maximize the cost-effectiveness of WTD services. TAP plays a crucial role in helping WTD be strategic in evaluating and making decisions related to WTD's technology and innovation opportunities, including improved treatment processes and efficiencies, process controls and treatment reliability, reducing the environmental footprint of wastewater treatment and its byproducts, and improvements in safety. The Technology Assessment Program relies on maintaining a strong working relationship with numerous other WTD work groups.

The Policy & Research group of the Resource Recovery Unit includes TAP wastewater engineers, as well as a research coordinator, and policy specialists that track and coordinate Division responses to new and anticipated regulatory requirements such as nutrients and contaminants of emerging concern. Resource Recovery is a unit in WTD's Operations & Maintenance Section that manages the delivery of products such as recycled water, Loop® biosolids, and biogas, and provides services including energy efficiency, applied research, and technology assessment that contribute to ensuring clean water and maintaining public health while contributing to preserving our natural environment. Resource Recovery also provides leadership around communication and policy.

Join our team, dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 700 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 enforce regulations 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. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial, and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Test Engineer , you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

Job Duties
What You Will Be Doing:

• Testing of innovative treatment technologies, writing test plans, procuring pilot equipment, designing pilot installations, operating pilot systems, evaluating data, writing test reports
• Participation in applied research projects in collaboration with academic institutions and industry organizations (ex. Water Research Foundation).
• Support treatment plant process groups with troubleshooting and optimization of treatment plant unit processes.
• Support planning and capital program projects with alternative evaluation, design review, and commissioning.
• Technology proposal review and disposition.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, civil, environmental, or chemical engineering
• Minimum four years of engineering work experience commensurate with an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) registration
• Experience demonstrating knowledge of engineering analysis and design
• Experience in technology pilot testing and drafting test plans
• Working knowledge of technical wastewater treatment processes
• Experience in analyzing and presenting scientific data
• Experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously, including with external partners (ex. consultants, other public utilities, academic institutions, and national research organizations).

Competencies You Bring:

• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that clearly understand different audiences' unique needs.
• Cultivates Innovation: Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to solve problems effectively.
• Resilient: Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.

Required Licenses/Certifications:

• Possession of an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification

It Would Also Be Great If You Bring:

• A professional engineer's license in the State of Washington is desirable
• Possession of a Washington State Driver's License is desirable
• Experience in wastewater, applied research and/or academic research, project management, and science communication.
• Knowledge of current trends and issues in wastewater treatment and resource recovery, including biosolids, recycled water, energy, sustainability, nutrient management, and contaminants of emerging concern in the wastewater context.
• Demonstrated success working both independently and as an engaged member of a project team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to effectively interpret technical information for non-technical audiences simply, clearly, and concisely.

Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:

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  Work Location : Brightwater Treatment Plant - 22505 State, Route 9 SE, Woodinville, WA 98072
  
  
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  Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provisions and is not overtime-eligible.
  
  
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  Union Representation: T his position is represented by King County Technical Employees' Association (TEA) bargaining unit.
  

Application and Selection Process:
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 one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter

Note: Additional documents will not be considered during minimum qualification screening.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Rodney O. Dungo
HR Analyst
rdungo@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , Instagram , YouTube and our WTD Blog .

Discover More About DNRP : Visit our website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.


Closing Date/Time:

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• King County Wastewater Treatment Division

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