Engineer

State of Oklahoma • Oklahoma City, OK

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Engineer position is in the Water Quality Division’s Public Water Supply Engineering and Enforcing Section in Oklahoma City. The role investigates public water supply (PWS) complaints and referrals, supports compliance with state and federal requirements, conducts sanitary surveys and engineering reviews, and provides technical assistance to PWS systems. The position also responds to emergencies and works with DEQ attorneys, agency personnel, water systems, and other stakeholders to resolve compliance issues and protect public health.

The position requires in-office work Monday through Friday, except for regular field work; remote work is not allowed. The employee will travel regularly within Oklahoma and occasionally out of state. Field and other out-of-office duties may involve long days and occasional overnight travel. Time worked beyond 40 hours per week may be compensated with comp time or an adjusted work week.

Applicants must be able to pass a background check and be legally authorized to work in the United States. The agency does not sponsor H-1B visa holders. Applicants must provide a resume, cover letter, references, official college transcripts, and, for current state employees only, their two most recent PR closeouts. Applicants must be within 60 days of obtaining their degree. Out-of-state Engineer Intern registrants must transfer their registration to Oklahoma within six months of appointment; permanent status requires valid Oklahoma Engineer Intern registration.

Requirements

• For Level III: Bachelor’s degree in engineering from a college or university recognized by the Oklahoma State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, in accordance with ABET standards, or a bachelor’s degree in construction management with a heavy or civil option.
• For Level IV: Registration as an Engineer Intern.
• For Level V: Registration as an Engineer Intern and one year of engineering practice experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting a master’s degree in engineering for the one year of experience.
• For Level VI: Registration as an Engineer Intern and two years of engineering practice experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting a master’s degree in engineering for one year of experience.
• Applicants must be within 60 days of obtaining their degree to be considered.
• Out-of-state Engineer Intern registrants must transfer their registration to the State of Oklahoma within six months of appointment; valid Oklahoma Engineer Intern registration is required for permanent status.
• Ability to pass a background check and legal authorization to work in the United States; H-1B sponsorship is not available.
• Effective verbal and written communication, including diplomatic communication with public water supplies, agency personnel, and the public.
• Proficiency with DEQ standard software, including Microsoft Office, Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, and Teams, and with the internet; ability to learn data entry in other database programs.
• Ability to work positively and flexibly on assigned and newly identified projects, both individually and as a team member.
• Ability to travel regularly within Oklahoma and occasionally out of state, including occasional overnight travel and long workdays.
• Ability to perform construction inspections requiring movement, flexibility, strength, and conditioning, including bending and flexing and working in all kinds of weather.
• Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, references, official college transcripts, and, if a current state employee, their two most recent PR closeouts.

Nice To Haves

• Certification as an Engineer Intern from the Oklahoma State Board of Professional Engineers and Surveyors (OKPES).
• Professional Engineer licensure from OKPES.
• Out-of-state Engineer Intern certification or Professional Engineer licensure, with the ability to transfer to OKPES within six months.
• Experience with public water supply systems.
• Experience with project management.

Responsibilities

• Investigate environmental complaints involving public water supply systems.
• Conduct assigned sanitary survey inspections, including onsite inspections and engineering reviews; prepare and finalize reports; and follow up to ensure sanitary deficiencies are corrected.
• Follow up on enforcement referrals, gather and review evidence, make compliance determinations, prepare legal documents, and manage enforcement cases in coordination with DEQ attorneys.
• Build and manage relationships among DEQ, public water supply systems, and state, federal, and other stakeholders.
• Respond to public water supply emergencies and conduct required engineering and follow-up investigations.
• Provide onsite and offsite engineering technical assistance to public water supply systems to resolve compliance issues.
• Facilitate and participate in public meetings concerning public water supply systems.
• Provide training on public water supply system engineering, design, operations, and regulations.
• Review technical memorandums and engineering reports to help resolve compliance issues.
• Stay current with developments in public water supply system engineering, design, operations, and regulations.
• Conduct construction inspections at public water supply facilities, including in adverse weather conditions.
• Communicate with public water supplies, DEQ and other agency personnel, and the public.
• Participate in training and learn agency software and database systems as needed.
• Work individually and as part of a team, respond to newly assigned projects, and learn coworkers’ tasks to provide coverage during absences.

Benefits

• 15 days of vacation leave annually.
• 15 days of sick leave annually.
• 11 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive benefits package with a benefit allowance to offset insurance premiums for employees and eligible dependents.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level