Water Quality Staff Engineer

Description

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is hiring a water quality staff engineer for our Coeur d'Alene Regional Office. This position is responsible for reviewing and approving wastewater and drinking water facility plans, preliminary engineering reports, and construction plans and specifications for new or modified existing facilities. This position is also responsible for overseeing recycled water facilities in the region, including writing permits, reviewing annual reports and compliance activities, performing inspections, and providing compliance assistance to permitted facility personnel.

This position is established at the Staff Engineer level and may be under filled at the Associate or Engineer-in-Training levels. Upon successful completion of a training plan and when minimum qualifications for the Staff Engineer level are met, the incumbent will be reclassified to a Staff Engineer and compensated accordingly.

To apply at the Associate Engineer or Engineering Intern level, please go to the DEQ Water Quality Engineer (Associate) or DEQ Water Quality Engineer (Engineering Intern) announcements for Coeur d'Alene.
DEQ works closely and collaboratively with a wide range of public and private partners, including federal and state agencies; the Board of Environmental Quality; city, county, and tribal governments; businesses; community organizations; and Idaho citizens. These partnerships are critical to accomplishing our environmental and human health protection mission. The agency is committed to working in partnership with local communities, businesses, and citizens to identify and implement cost-effective environmental solutions.

DEQ is committed to protecting human health and the quality of Idaho's air, land, and water.

The Engineer-in-Training and Associate Engineer classifications are used for recruitment and training purposes for the Staff Engineer position. Through various types of on-the-job training, employees hired at the trainee level will learn to carry out the duties of a Staff Engineer. Upon completion of training, including possession of a Professional Engineering license, the employee will be promoted to the Staff Engineer level.

Example of Duties

• Direct activities to ensure compliance with applicable state environmental rules and laws related to drinking water and wastewater systems, including: complaint investigation; routine inspections and preparation of inspection reports; permit writing; assistance with the administration of the drinking water and wastewater grant/loan program for the office; and the review and approval of engineering plans, specifications, and reports.
• Assist in resolving complex issues that can involve technical engineering issues and
  regulatory compliance issues.
• Assist in the negotiation of formal and informal resolutions to violations of rules and laws with appropriate and applicable compliance tools such as enforcement referrals, notice of violations, consent orders, and civil complaints.
• Assist stakeholders in understanding and complying with state and
  federal environmental rules through outreach efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

Licensure: Licensed in Idaho as a Professional Engineer (PE); or eligible for comity licensure by the Idaho Board of Professional Engineers in accordance with Idaho Code, Title 54, Chapter 12;

AND

Valid driver's license.

Experience: analyzing, interpreting and applying federal, state and local laws when applying professional engineering principles and practices; writing technical engineering reports; evaluating, selecting and adapting standard engineering plans, specifications and standards in completing projects; coordinating field work and inspecting projects or facilities for compliance with standards.

Specialty Minimum Qualifications (required for this position):

• DEQ 3140 Municipal and Industrial Wastewater: Describe your experience in evaluating or designing engineering projects related to water quality protection, wastewater treatment and conveyance systems, and making decisions relative to their merit; developing engineering reports/facility plans, point source discharge permits, or biosolids disposal facility plans. This is typically gained by experience as a licensed staff engineer or equivalent position in responsible charge of activities related to physical, biological and chemical treatment of wastewater, and activities related to facility planning grants and State Revolving Fund Construction Loans. To meet this specialty you must have at least two (2) years of post-licensure experience in this area.
• DEQ 2882 Water Quality: Requires at least six credit hours of education related to water quality and/or water pollution control, including current technologies, construction and operation methods, mechanical systems, and material specifications to include inspection procedures; Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and related laws, guidelines, and practices applicable to wastewater, public drinking water, or solid waste systems; PLUS approximately two years of engineering experience in the areas listed.

Supplemental Information

Benefits:

• Flexible work schedule available to some positions for increased work-life balance.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness – eligibility requirements may apply.
• Accrue paid vacation every pay period to accumulate approximately 2 weeks the first year, and increasing with state longevity
• Paid sick leave separate from vacation leave
• 10 paid holidays
• Competitive Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability insurance benefits, Flexible Spending Account https://ogi.idaho.gov/premium-rates/
• Relocation Assistance available to some positions
• Defined benefits retirement plan (pension) through the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) https://persi.idaho.gov/members/base_plan.cfm
• Optional 401K and Deferred Compensation plans with traditional and Roth options
• Eligible for Employee Assistance Program – Confidential support, information and resources for all of life's challenges.

Physical requirements:

• Ability to sit and work on a computer for 2-4 hours at a time
• Ability to reach and bend for filing purposes
• Some periods of heavy reading and typing required
• Ability to lift 30 pounds when working with file boxes
• Some travel may be required
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Ability to climb ladders, staircases, work on uneven terrain
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds over rough terrain
• Ability to work in adverse or inclement weather
• Ability to work in extreme hot or cold temperatures both outside and inside
• Ability to work on elevated instrument platforms, ladders, etc.
• Field sites may involve working near and with drilling rigs, backhoes, trucks and other large equipment in rough terrain
• May work in vicinity of loud noise
• May be required to travel and stay overnight in remote areas

About DEQ:

DEQ is a state department created by the Idaho Environmental Protection and Health Act to ensure clean air, water, and land in the state and protect Idaho citizens from the adverse health impacts of pollution.

As a regulatory agency, DEQ enforces various state environmental regulations and administers a number of federal environmental protection laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

The agency is committed to working in partnership with local communities, businesses, and citizens to identify and implement cost-effective environmental solutions.

The Department of Environmental Quality may conduct verification of the information provided in your application, including validation of driver's license status, education, employment, and criminal history. Omission and/or falsification of information provided in your application will result in your removal from consideration for employment, appointment, or promotion.

Hiring is done without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability. If you need special accommodations to satisfy testing requirements, please contact the Division of Human Resources at (208) 334-2263.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.

To protect human healthand the quality of
Idaho's air, land, and water.www.deq.idaho.govIf you have questions, please contact us at:Email:deq.recruitment@deq.idaho.govPhone:(208) 373-0333