Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.
 
The Water Resources (WR) program is currently looking to fill a Dam Safety Engineer (Environmental Engineer 2) (In-Training) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.
 
The Dam Safety Engineer position protects public health and safety by ensuring that dams and other impounding structures are properly designed, constructed, operated, and maintained. Reporting to the Dam and Wells Section Manager, this position provides general dam safety engineering services and applies geotechnical principles to the work.

We are looking for self-motivated applicants with geotechnical engineering education and/or experience, excellent people and communication skills, both written and verbal applied in a technical assistance and regulatory role. Top applicants will be able to make timely decisions without sacrificing quality even under ambiguous circumstances or when data is limited.
 
As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability. Maybe you’ve seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecy.wa.gov.

 
Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s land, air and water for current and future generations.
 
The mission of the Water Resources Program is to support sustainable water resources management to meet the present and future water needs of people and the natural environment, in partnership with Washington’s communities.
 
This position performs the full range of environmental engineering duties in the Dam Safety Office (DSO) of the Dam Safety and Wells Section within the Water Resources Program. Duties do not include final engineering decisions and work is reviewed by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). This position protects public health and safety by ensuring that dams and other impounding structures are properly designed, constructed, operated, and maintained.  This position uses geotechnical engineering principles as they apply to Dam Safety.
 
Some of the key work activities at the Environmental Engineer 2 Level:

Periodic Inspections of Existing Dams Statewide:

• Reviews and prepares pre-inspection information (inspection binder, files, and previous inspection reports) and summarizes findings.
• Conducts inspections of existing dams to identify safety deficiencies to assure that the impounding elements of the project are suitably operated and maintained.
• Consults with the lead engineer and advises section supervisor whether identified deficiencies warrant enforcement activity.
• Consults with engineering specialist in the DSO to obtain their input on hydrologic, geotechnical and structural issues.
• Prepares reports documenting inspection findings.

Assists with the Plan Review and Construction Inspection of New and Existing Dams:

• Assists with the review of engineering design reports, construction plans and specifications, and the inspection of construction work.
• Conducts construction inspections of dams to ensure they are built in accordance with approved plans and specifications.

Database Management:

• Helps maintain accurate information in the Dam Safety Database by entering current information into the database.

Some of the key work activities at  the Environmental Engineer 1 Level:

Periodic Inspections of Existing Dams Statewide:

• Reviews and prepares pre-inspection information (inspection binder, files, and previous inspection reports) and summaries findings.
• Assists with inspections of existing dams to identify safety deficiencies and assure that the impounding elements of the project are suitably operated and maintained.
• Consults with engineering specialist in the DSO to obtain their input on hydrologic, geotechnical and structural issues.
• Prepares reports documenting inspection findings.

Database Management:

• Helps maintain accurate information in the Dam Safety Database by entering current information into the database.

 
Some of the key work activities at the College Career Graduate Engineering Level:

Periodic Inspections of Existing Dams Statewide:

• Reviews and prepares pre-inspection information (inspection binder, files, and previous inspection reports) and summaries findings.
• Assists with inspections of existing dams to identify safety deficiencies and assure that the impounding elements of the project are suitably operated and maintained.  Provides review and support to other DSO engineers.

Database Management:

• Helps maintain accurate information in the Dam Safety Database by entering current information into the database.

 
 
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be September 25, 2017.  In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 24, 2017. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

The goal class for this position is an Environmental Engineer 2 (EE2) . We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Environmental Engineer 1 (EE1) and the College Career Graduate Engineering Levels . If the finalist meets the requirements for the Environmental Engineer 1 or the College Career Graduate Engineering Levels then they will be hired in at that level and will be placed into a training program to become an Environmental Engineer 2 within a specified period of time.
 
Required Qualifications:

At the Environmental Engineer 2 Level – pay range 61 – ($4737 – $6217) Monthly
A Master’s degree with a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field

AND 

One (1) year of environmental engineering experience.

OR 

An Engineer-In-Training Certificate or a Bachelor’s degree with a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field

AND 

Two (2) years of environmental engineering experience.
 
At the Environmental Engineer 1 Level – pay range 55 – ($4085 – $5358) Monthly

A Master’s degree with a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field

OR 

An Engineer-In-Training Certificate or a Bachelor’s degree with a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field

AND 

One (1) year of environmental engineering experience.
 
College Career Graduate Engineering Level – pay range 49 – ($3522 – $4623) Monthly

A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field.



Desired Qualifications:

• Degree in geotechnical engineering; or, civil engineering with a masters in geotechnical engineering.
• Educational background and/or experience in the analysis of dams, slopes and/or other earthfill structures under static and seismic loading conditions.
• Educational background and/or experience in the use of geosynthetics in the design and construction of dams and/or other earthfill structures.
• Field experience inspecting dams and/or slopes to evaluate their adequacy from a geotechnical engineering point of view.
• Field experience on the inspection of construction work for dams and/or other earthfill structures.

• Excellent people and communication skills, both written and verbal applied in technical assistance and regulatory role.
• Commitment to public safety and service.

 
Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.