Lead Financial Assistance Engineer (Environmental Engineer 5)

State of Washington • Thurston County – Lacey, WA

49d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Lead Financial Assistance Engineer (Environmental Engineer 5) within the Water Quality Program. This role involves overseeing wastewater and reclaimed water infrastructure, including planning, design, construction, and permitting. The position also supports Ecology’s grant and loan program and serves as a mentor for staff-level engineers. The Lead Financial Assistance Engineer will be the primary point of contact for the Water Quality Program, building trust with the regulated community and collaborating with facility owners and operators on engineering concerns and compliance questions.

Requirements

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington
• Five (5) years of experience in environmental engineering.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington or another state, based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington, in good standing.
• Individuals who are licensed as professional engineers in another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign country and wish to apply for this position must qualify for licensure in Washington State by comity.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with funding programs related to public works infrastructure planning and design.
• Contract management experience.
• Experience communicating complex and technical scientific information to a variety of audiences.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning, design, and construction of wastewater and reclaimed water systems in compliance with state requirements and good engineering practices.
• Provide regulatory oversight of operations at wastewater treatment and reuse facilities using diverse treatment processes and creative approaches to managing treated effluent or reclaimed water.
• Manage financial assistance programs for clean water infrastructure projects and provide expertise to internal staff, municipalities, and consultants on funding program elements.
• Serve as a role model for staff-level engineers in the unit, offering mentorship, training, and direction in the unit’s planning, engineering and design review work, as well as permit development, issuance, and implementation.
• Draft permit conditions, limits, and other requirements as part of the issuance process, and provide ongoing oversight of individual permits to ensure compliance with water quality standards.
• Conduct facility inspections and provide technical assistance on regulatory issues and questions from communities and industries within the region.
• Assist in improving unit business processes, collaborating with other Ecology staff to provide outstanding service to our regulated community, the public, and Tribes.
• Help members of the public understand permits and other regulatory requirements related to wastewater and reclaimed water facilities, as well as Ecology’s role as an oversight agency.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s)
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Vacation, Sick, and other Leave
• 11 Paid Holidays per year
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Tuition Waiver
• Long Term Disability & Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Programs
• Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
• Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Commute Trip Reduction Incentive
• Combined Fund Drive
• SmartHealth
• Job-specific personal protective equipment will be provided by the program along with reimbursement for required footwear.

What This Job Offers

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