Senior Environmental Engineer

State of Virginia•Lexington, VA

31d

About The Position

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Public Water Supply Supervision Grant, for a fiscal year period ending June 30, 2026, but renewable annually. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds. This position will be open until filled. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Office of Drinking Water (ODW), is seeking an Environmental Engineer Senior to join the Lexington Field Office team! This position is located in Lexington and will assist in ensuring safe drinking water for citizens in the Lexington Field Office service area. If you like amore rural setting, the Lexington area has it all! The primary responsibility for this position is to ensure safe drinking water to the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke and the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem. Under Section 32.1-167-176 of the Code of Virginia and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is required to provide safe drinking water regulations. These functions are initiated and monitored by the inspectors assigned to various regions, and are of critical importance to sustaining a program of inspections to ensure continued compliance with state and federal regulations. This position provides technical assistance to approximately 110 waterworks serving an average population of 190,000 Virginians. The selected candidate will supervise or lead engineering functions for assigned regional area or office. Serves as a subject matter expert providing guidance and expertise to other staff. Characteristics include establishing priorities and assigning work, auditing and approving other engineers' work, monitoring new and improved facilities, evaluating project plans, conducting non-routine and final inspections as well as interpreting regulations for operators, owners, and other staff. Evaluating and recommending revisions to local, state or national regulations, facilitating implementation of regulations, supervising preparation of reports and providing training and technical assistance to other staff and the public. Most activities are handled independently with supervision required for only very large projects or the most complex issues. The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Requirements

Demonstrated knowledge and applied experience in biology, microbiology, chemistry, core engineering principles, and quantitative analysis.
Established experience in exercising sound judgement and making well-informed engineering decisions.
Experience in conveying technical information clearly, engage with different audiences, and preparing comprehensive technical reports.
Proven experience in interpreting, analyzing, and applying applicable laws, regulations, policies, and complex technical documentation.
Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to effectively manage and develop professional staff.
Comprehensive engineering expertise in water-related disciplines, including civil, sanitary, environmental, or chemical engineering.

Nice To Haves

Licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) or Engineer in Training (EIT) in Virginia preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise or lead engineering functions for assigned regional area or office
Serve as a subject matter expert providing guidance and expertise to other staff
Establish priorities and assigning work
Audit and approve other engineers' work
Monitor new and improved facilities
Evaluate project plans
Conduct non-routine and final inspections as well as interpreting regulations for operators, owners, and other staff
Evaluate and recommend revisions to local, state or national regulations
Facilitate implementation of regulations
Supervise preparation of reports
Provide training and technical assistance to other staff and the public