Environmental Engineer

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

UW Facilities (UWF) has an outstanding opportunity for a Facilities Project Engineer / Architect to join the team. Engineering Services is a team of engineers, architects, drafters, engineering assistants, and records staff that is responsible for all UW Facilities information and design standards. Our professional staff provide an array of services utilizing their technical expertise for the University to perform design and construction reviews; commissioning; troubleshooting support for capital projects, operations and maintenance; and other engineering and architectural needs. The Environmental Engineer ensures University-wide compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations across the full lifecycle of campus facilities—planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance. This role provides strategic environmental engineering leadership for a large, complex institution with diverse facility types and environmentally sensitive surroundings. The position protects human health and the environment, reduces institutional risk and liability, and ensures compliance is achieved in a practical, cost‑effective manner aligned with the University’s mission. The Environmental Engineer works closely with Facilities leadership, Capital Project teams, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), Sustainability, regulators, and external consultants to integrate environmental stewardship into daily operations and long‑range capital planning.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in environmental or civil engineering
5 years of relevant professional experience within the environmental engineering field.
Ability to develop, plan, direct, and coordinate effective engineering programs and projects.
Ability to acquire a Professional Engineers License in WA State.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; e.g. clients, regulatory agencies and personnel, health/safety professionals, consultants, management, peers, etc. to accomplish goals that are in the best interest of the university.
Ability to work independently.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
High degree of professionalism, integrity and ownership needed; must be customer-focused and results-oriented, innovative, creative, highly motivated, and team-oriented.
Familiarity with facilities-related computer software, including design tools, construction management software, computerized maintenance management systems, and the full Microsoft Office suite of applications.
Ability to respond to emergency situations and changing needs.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a Professional Registered Engineer with the State of Washington.
Accreditation as an AHERA Building Inspector (capable of performing asbestos surveys) or ability to complete within 6 months of employment.
Accreditation as an AHERA Project Designer (capable of developing asbestos abatement design documents) or ability to complete within 6 months of employment.
Successful completion of a US EPA-sponsored 72-hour Lead Training Program for Supervisors and Contractors or ability to complete within 6 months of employment.
Successful completion of a Washington State Department of Ecology-sponsored 40-hour RCRA (Hazardous Waste) Training Program or ability to complete within 6 months of employment.
Successful completion of a 24-hour EPA-sponsored Hazardous Materials Sampling Training Program or ability to complete within 6 months of employment.

Responsibilities

Lead University-wide environmental compliance strategy, including long‑range planning for emerging regulations.
Develop policies, procedures, and programs that reduce regulatory risk and support sustainability and decarbonization goals.
Prepare environmental “programming” documents that guide capital investments and multi‑year compliance initiatives.
Provide environmental engineering leadership during programming, design review, construction, commissioning, and turnover of major capital projects, including large and complex facilities.
Ensure environmental requirements are integrated into project scope, schedule, and budget.
Oversee environmental permitting and compliance documentation for construction projects.
Develop scopes of work and participate in consultant selection.
Direct and review consultant performance, technical deliverables, and cost proposals.
Manage budgets and funding requests for environmental programs, ensuring cost‑effective compliance.
Interpret and apply complex environmental regulations across diverse facilities and activities.
Resolve conflicts between regulatory requirements, project objectives, cost, and risk.
Lead technical response and corrective actions during environmental incidents.
Oversee required environmental monitoring and regulatory reporting (e.g., air emissions, stormwater, GHG/HFC).
Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and audit readiness of compliance data in coordination with internal partners.
Contribute to Facilities design standards and life‑cycle cost optimization.
Coordinate with EH&S, legal counsel, sustainability, and external agencies.
Participate in emergency response, inspections, and business continuity activities as needed.