Local recruitment: Ground Water, Treatment, & Distribution System Engineering Specialist

• Employer: State of Washington
• Salary: $8,012.00 – $10,774.00 Monthly
• Location: Thurston County – Tumwater, WA
• Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
• Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
• Job Number: DOH8671
• Department: Dept. of Health
• Division: Environmental Public Health (EPH)
• Opening Date: 07/14/2025
• Closing Date: 7/28/2025 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana
• Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

Environmental Engineer (EE5)

Ground Water, Treatment, & Distribution System Engineering Specialist 

Permanent · Full-time · Remote

Help protect Washington’s most vital resource—clean, safe drinking water.

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Environmental Engineer (EE5) to provide statewide leadership in environmental engineering and technical guidance for drinking water systems across Washington. This role supports our mission to protect and improve the health of people in Washington and drive public health progress through equity, innovation, and engagement.

This position is located within the Division of Environmental Public Health (EPH), in the Office of Drinking Water (ODW), which works to ensure that the people of Washington have access to safe and reliable drinking water. You’ll serve in the Engineering and Technical Services Section (ETS), a key team that provides expertise on treatment, distribution, and emerging water system technologies.

As a statewide technical expert, you will:

• Advise agency staff, regulated water systems, and partners on complex drinking water system design, treatment technologies, and operational issues.
• Serve as a subject matter authority on distribution systems, disinfection byproducts, corrosion control, building plumbing water quality, and treatment for a wide range of contaminants.
• Represent the Office in discussions about water reuse, desalination, UV disinfection, aquifer recharge, and other advanced technologies.
• Guide teams on water quality assessments, treatment design, and regulatory compliance.
• Promote science-based approaches and foster consistency in applying environmental engineering principles statewide.

Be a part of a passionate team working to protect public health across Washington. We’re committed to equity, innovation, and meaningful engagement with the communities we serve. You’ll also enjoy:

• Opportunities to influence state-wide policy and practice
• Collaboration with scientists, engineers, and public health leaders
• Supportive work culture that values professional growth

Location and Flexibility 

We value work-life balance and offer the convenience of remote work! This position allows you to work from home or the nearest DOH facility. In-person events or office work are rarely required. Field work is occasional and varies, as it typically involves supporting more complex systems when the assigned engineer needs assistance. All travel would be scheduled in advance when possible.

Required Qualifications (you must meet ONE of the provided options and any additional criteria listed): 

Experience defined below may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. 

Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.

Option 1: Completion of Engineer-in-Training (EIT), AND Six (6) years of experience as an Environmental or Civil Engineer. 

Option 2: Bachelor’s degree in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary water resources, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field, AND Four (4) years of experience as an Environmental or Civil Engineer.

Option 3: Master’s degree in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field, AND Three (3) years of experience as an Environmental or Civil Engineer.

Option 4: Doctorate in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field, AND Two (2) years of experience as an Environmental or Civil Engineer.

AND

• Licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Washington or ability to obtain licensure through reciprocity within six months from the date of hire.
• Four or more years of experience working within a water-related regulatory framework, such as wastewater, reclaimed water, stormwater, or drinking water compliance and oversight.
• Intermediate level user of MS Office 365 software suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint) to include analyzing data using database software.
• Experience in engaging with diverse audiences and multiple parties to assess information needs; and collaborate across agencies and programs to meet shared goals.
• Experience conveying complex technical or regulatory information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences—including non-technical partners, mentees, peers, and leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Water Treatment Plant Operator (WTPO) and Water Distribution Manager (WDM) in Training or higher certification. 

• Experience with or certification in Cross Connection Prevention and Control Activities and Programs.

• Three years of experience related to planning, design, operation, or management of drinking water facilities while working in a state drinking water program or operating a water treatment plant.
• Experience with Federal Safe Drinking Water Act programs and requirements or implementing water quality requirements of state or local drinking water regulations.
• Demonstrated experience with water system distribution system design, operation, and maintenance.
• Project management support experience that includes managing tasks, directing others, and reporting progress to project managers.

Benefits and Lifestyle

We prioritize your work-life balance and offer one of the most competitive benefits packages nationwide, tailored to support your lifestyle. Discover more about “Why DOH” by visiting Work@Health.

We are the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)

At DOH, we safeguard public health in an ever-evolving world. Through collaboration with local health jurisdictions and state, federal, and private partners, our programs and services impact every Washingtonian and visitor daily. We’re driven by Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, as outlined in our Transformational Plan for the future of Washington health.

Conditions of Employment:

This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

I am prepared, with or without accommodations, to do the following:

• Commit to a full-time 40-hour workweek schedule (flexible work schedule requests must be approved supervisor).
• Communicate through applications such as MS Teams and MS Outlook, and by phone while working remotely.
• Adjust my work schedule occasionally to align with business needs, which may entail working evenings and weekends.
• This position is eligible for teleworking 

• This position may traverse difficult terrain and move within drinking water facilities, including climbing stairs and ladders.  Exposure to hazards may include the approved chemicals added to drinking water supplies.
• The position may require moving objects and materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

• Perform my job duties either remotely from home, in the field or in-person at the designated DOH site location.
• Occasional travel may be necessary, sometimes requiring overnight stays or trips out of state. You must be able to legally drive a vehicle or arrange alternative transportation for state business.
• Engage in emergency response exercises and high-priority assignments as assigned during emergency events. 

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS:

To apply, click “Apply” and complete the application. Attach your resume, and cover letter. 

In your Applicant Profile, include at least three professional references (including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led, if applicable). Please do not include private information such as social security number or year of birth.

Do attach the following:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• DD-214 (if applicable)

Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year

Do not include or attach the following – these documents or details will not be reviewed:

• REMOVE personal photos – do not submit any documents containing personal photos. 
• Transcripts (unless specifically requested in the Application Directions)
• Certifications or Diplomas
• Projects or Portfolios
• Letters of Recommendation

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.  

DOH is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity. 

Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Andrea Thieme at employment@doh.wa.gov and reference the recruitment number (DOH8671).

Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues. 

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Supplemental Information

This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days. 

Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration. 

Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.

Employer: State of Washington

Address: View Job Posting for Agency Information, View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website: http://www.careers.wa.gov