Habitat Environmental Engineer 3 - Environmental Engineer 3 (In-Training) - Permanent - 2026-04700

State of Washington•Spokane County - Spokane Valley, WA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is for a Habitat Environmental Engineer 3 (In-Training) within the Habitat Program at WDFW in Spokane Valley, Washington. The role involves designing and delivering projects to improve fish passage, screening, habitat restoration, and water crossings. Depending on experience, the engineer will apply and expand skills through field investigations, engineering analyses, project development, and collaboration with agency staff and partners. The position plays a crucial role in advancing aquatic habitat restoration efforts and supporting healthy ecosystems. The recruitment is for an Environmental Engineer 2 or 3 classification, with those hired as an Environmental Engineer 2 required to complete an in-training plan to advance to Environmental Engineer 3.

Requirements

Engineer-In-Training Certificate.
Two (2) years of experience in environmental engineering.
A bachelor’s degree with a major study in sanitary water resources, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or a related field.
A master’s degree with a major study in sanitary water resources, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or a related field.
A Ph.D. with a major study in sanitary water resources, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or a related field.
Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington.
Four (4) years of experience in environmental engineering.
Three (3) years of experience in environmental engineering.
A Ph.D. in one (1) of the above engineering fields may substitute for two (2) years of environmental engineering experience.
Two (2) years of experience in environmental engineering.
Facilitation and negotiation skills: Demonstrated ability to apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills in contentious work settings, including leading consensus and de-escalating conflict.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to understand and consider diverse perspectives; recognize the value of others’ input; demonstrate appropriate assertiveness; and maintain a commitment to public service, the agency mission, and team success.

Nice To Haves

A Ph.D. with major study in one (1) of the following engineering fields: water resources, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field.
Demonstrated skill supervising, leading, and coaching staff including, excellent self-awareness to understand and related to different personalities in a manner that produces team cohesion, trust, and solution-oriented thinking.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Department’s Habitat engineering representative for Region 1, Eastern Washington.
Review, approve, and provide final engineering designs and decisions on fish passage, fish screening, fish habitat restoration, and water crossing structure projects.
Evaluate and recommend approval or disapproval of plans, proposals, and designs for fish passage, screening, water crossing, bank protection, erosion control, fish habitat enhancement and restoration, flood hazard reduction, and other instream projects.
Prepare professional engineering designs and permit documents for fish passage (e.g., fish ladders, fishways roughened channels, grade control weirs), erosion control, bank protection, gravity and pump fish screening for various fish species and life history stages, and habitat restoration projects.
Serve as a liaison with agency staff, state and federal agencies, and local governments to resolve complex engineering issues; provide expert testimony as needed.
Offer technical assistance for designs of proposals for work affecting fish and wildlife habitats.
Negotiate for plan, project and/or design specifications.
Develop and manage habitat restoration, fish passage, and bank protection projects, applying engineering, biological, and project management principles.
Perform hydrologic, hydraulic, structural, and geomorphic analyses; evaluate design alternatives.
Conduct topographic surveys, soils and geomorphic studies, and oversee project development and construction.
Prepare design reports, engineering plans, specifications, cost estimates, and perform construction inspection.
Research, write, and participate in development of aquatic habitat guidelines and standards.
Prepare and deliver training, presentations, and materials for agency staff, partners, and the public.
Stay current on emerging technologies that protect fish and wildlife including new passage and screening designs and technologies.
Review peer design documents to ensure quality and consistency.