Description

Environmental Engineer 3 (EE 3) OR Environmental Engineer 2 (EE 2)

Full-time – Permanent – Home-based/Fieldwork

Join Our Team at the Department of Health – Protecting Washington’s Drinking Water

The Department of Health’s Environmental Public Health Division is dedicated to improving health through healthy environments. The Office of Drinking Water (ODW) diligently works to protect the health of Washington residents by ensuring safe and reliable drinking water. 

We are looking for an Engineer to join our team.   Our ideal candidate is a licensed professional engineer with experience in drinking water systems who can contribute their design expertise to mentor junior engineering staff and collaborate with water systems to address complex issues.  

However, we also welcome junior engineers who have an interest in public health and are on the path to becoming a licensed engineer.   We will meet you at your level of engineering experience as we bring you onto our team, and we have a very robust mentoring program to support you in learning the practice of engineering, which is so important for new engineers entering the profession.  You will be overseen by licensed engineers and gain the work experience needed to qualify for the WA State PE exam.

In the Environmental Engineer 3 or the Environmental Engineer 2 position, you’ll use engineering expertise to protect public health by:

Regulating public water systems to ensure adequate quality and quantity of water supply.
Attend in-person local municipality or partner meetings providing technical assistance to local health jurisdictions, state and federal agencies, water system owners and operators, community officials, consulting engineers, and citizen groups.
Conduct sanitary surveys and inspect water systems.
Providing technical review of water system plans and design documents.
Responding to drinking water emergencies or completing specialty assignments to coordinate regional office efforts in certain subject areas.  

Join us in our mission to create healthy communities by ensuring access to safe drinking water across Washington State.

Location:

In both positions, you will represent the ODW on the regional engineering team, administering the regional drinking water program in assigned counties under the supervision of your Engineering Supervisor. This position includes a combination of fieldwork and home-based office work.  The fieldwork component requires in-person inspections across the state (with a focus in your assigned counties), public meetings, technical assistance visits, and emergency response investigations.  The home-based office work includes reviews of water system infrastructure designs, planning documents, treatment reporting reviews, and general coordination and correspondence inside and outside the organization.   

Requirements

Required Qualifications (you must meet ONE of the provided options and any additional criteria listed.): 

Experience defined below may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. 

Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.

Required Qualifications for the EE2 $6107– $8210 Monthly 

Option 1: A bachelor's degree or higher from an ABET-accredited engineering program with a major in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, civil, geotechnical, water resource, environmental, chemical, or mechanical engineering. AND One (1) year of experience in a supportive or internship role providing technical assistance or consultation concerning water, wastewater, or other water resource areas.   

Option 2: Certified as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) AND One (1) year of experience in a supportive or internship role providing technical assistance or consultation concerning water, wastewater, or other water resource areas.   

Desired Qualifications for the EE2

Two years of environmental engineering experience in drinking water or a related field.
Experience with public water systems, project management, and regulatory compliance.
Communication skills to explain technical information to diverse audiences.
Ability to collaborate with state agencies, local jurisdictions, and water system operators.

Required Qualifications for the EE3 $7082– $9522 Monthly

Licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Washington or ability to obtain licensure through comity within six months from date of hire.
AND

One or more years of experience working in the field of environmental engineering or public health administration with state and federal drinking water regulations as a water utility employee, consultant, or working for a state or county drinking water program.

Desired Qualifications for the EE3

A Bachelor's degree or higher from an ABET-accredited engineering program with a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, civil, geotechnical, water resource, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field
Three or more years of experience working in the field of environmental engineering or public health administration with state and federal drinking water regulations as a water utility employee, consultant, or working for a state or county drinking water program.
One or more years of experience designing, operating, or working with surface water treatment plants.
Experience in explaining technical information to diverse audiences to collaborate with state agencies, local jurisdictions, and water system operators.

We are the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)

We're nearly 2,000 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience. At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We’re passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health. To learn more about the DOH please visit doh.wa.gov and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and our blog, Public Health Connections.

Benefits and Lifestyle

We prioritize your work-life balance and offer one of the most competitive benefits packages nationwide, tailored to support your lifestyle. Discover more about "Why DOH" by visiting Work@Health.

Conditions of Employment:

These positions are covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

I am prepared, with or without accommodations, to do the following:

Commit to a full-time 40-hour workweek schedule (flexible work schedule requests must be approved supervisor).  When necessary to perform the core functions of the position, work in excess of 40 hours per week, including evenings and weekends.
Communicate through applications such as MS Teams and MS Outlook, and by phone while working remotely.  
Perform my job duties either remotely from home or in-person at the designated DOH site location.
Work indoors at a desk/workstation (including a home-based office) the majority of a workday, in an open office environment with possible conversation and other noise distractions, with or without accommodation.
Legally operate a state- or privately-owned vehicle OR provide alternative transportation.   Travel during the day and at night, and in snow and rain conditions.  Travel alone and with another person and stay out of town overnight for several days at a time, as needed, to meet the demands of the position.
Conduct field work and attend community meetings both during normal work hours and evenings. Field work may include the need to traverse difficult terrain, climb ladders and stairs, and move within drinking water facilities.  
Safely move/relocate objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Engage in emergency response exercises and high-priority assignments as assigned during emergency events.