Wastewater Engineer / Operations Liaison

Arcadis•San Diego, CA

8d•$125,000 - $175,000

About The Position

Arcadis is seeking a motivated and collaborative Wastewater Engineer / Operations Liaison to support a high-profile wastewater treatment program in the San Diego region. The role serves as a critical link between a private wastewater treatment plant operator and the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), supporting effective coordination, transparent communication, and successful program delivery. This position offers an opportunity to expand beyond traditional design work and gain firsthand exposure to wastewater treatment operations, regulatory coordination, stakeholder engagement, capital improvements, and utility management. The successful candidate will act as a trusted advisor and communicator supporting a highly visible wastewater infrastructure program. As the primary operations-owner liaison, the engineer facilitates communication, coordination, and problem-solving among plant operators, government agencies, consultants, contractors, and technical staff. The role supports operational updates, maintenance activities, performance reporting, technical reviews, facility improvements, inspections, and communication of operational concerns and practical solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, Chemical, Mechanical, or a related Engineering discipline.
5 to 10 years of experience in wastewater treatment, utility operations, water/wastewater consulting, or related services.
Working knowledge of municipal wastewater treatment processes and treatment plant operations.
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
Strong facilitation, coordination, and relationship-building abilities.
Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders and organizations.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
Ability to communicate technical information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
Valid driver's license and ability to work periodically at treatment plant facilities.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
Experience working with public agencies, utilities, or wastewater treatment operators.
Familiarity with regulatory compliance, permitting, and operational reporting requirements.
Experience supporting capital improvement projects or treatment plant upgrades.
Knowledge of wastewater process optimization and performance monitoring.
Bilingual English and Spanish proficiency.
Experience working in highly visible or politically sensitive environments.

Responsibilities

Serve as the day-to-day liaison between the private facility operator and IBWC representatives.
Foster open, transparent, and professional communication among project stakeholders.
Coordinate operational updates, maintenance activities, performance reporting, and technical reviews.
Track and communicate key action items, commitments, risks, and decisions.
Participate in regular plant meetings and help prepare agendas, meeting summaries, and executive briefings.
Review operational data, compliance reports, performance metrics, and engineering documentation.
Support planning and implementation of facility improvements, rehabilitation projects, and optimization initiatives.
Assist with plant inspections, field observations, and condition assessments.
Identify and elevate operational concerns and help stakeholders develop practical solutions.
Prepare reports, presentations, and briefing materials for technical and executive audiences.
Support a culture of collaboration, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.