Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Facility Engineer (Environmental Engineer 2) (In-training) within the Water Quality Program.

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of two days per month is required in the office. 
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by July 23, 2025
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the above date may not be considered.

This is your chance to be part of a community dedicated to responsible development and thoughtful management of critical wastewater and reclaimed water infrastructure by serving as one of the state’s engineers overseeing these facilities.

In addition to your involvement with planning, design, and construction, you’ll also permit operation of these facilities, from permit issuance through implementation and oversight in the field. You will serve as the point of contact for the Water Quality Program and be the face of the agency, building trust and confidence with the regulated community through honest, reliable, and consistent interactions over time. You’ll routinely collaborate with facility owners and operators on a variety of engineering concerns and compliance questions, and be our go-to representative for ensuring all parties understand the agency’s expectations for wastewater management and reuse in Washington state.

This is a great opportunity to:

• Learn from, work with, and become part of an experienced team of environmental regulatory professionals – both inside and outside of Ecology.
• Gain experience toward your Professional Engineer license.
• Learn the complexities of the water quality regulatory permitting process, and then help to improve the process within Ecology to better help communities and industries meet water quality standards.

What you will do:

• Support planning, design and construction of wastewater and reclaimed water systems in compliance with state requirements and good engineering practices.
• Provide regulatory oversight of operations at wastewater treatment and reuse facilities using diverse treatment processes and creative ways to manage the discharge of treated effluent or one of the many potential uses of reclaimed water.
• Provide timely reviews of permit applications and responses to permit submittals.

• Draft conditions, limits, and other permit requirements as part of the issuance process, and provide ongoing oversight of individual permits for compliance with water quality standards.
• Provide facility inspections and technical assistance with regulatory issues and questions from communities and industries within the region.
• Assist in improving unit business processes – collaborate with other Ecology staff to provide outstanding service to our regulated community, the public, and Tribes.
• Help members of the public understand permits and other regulatory requirements around wastewater and reclaimed water facilities, as well as Ecology’s role as an oversight agency.
  
  

Learn more about what it is like to be an Engineer at the Department of Ecology

This position offers an in-training plan and may be filled at the Engineering Aide 3 (EA3), Environmental Engineer 1 (EE1), or Environmental Engineer 2 (EE2) level, depending on your qualifications. If you qualify at the EA3 or EE1 level and are hired, you will progress through an in-training plan to become an EE2 within a specified time period.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

At the Engineering Aide 3 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 53, $4,882 - $6,576 monthly

Four (4) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience involving engineering techniques.
• Education involving a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 4 years of experience.
• 3 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 2 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 1 year of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• An Engineer-In-Training (EIT) Certificate.
• A Bachelor’s degree or above.

At the Environmental Engineer 1 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 56, $5,271 - $7,082 monthly

Five (5) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in environmental engineering.
• Education involving a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 5 years of experience.
• 4 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 2 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 1 year of experience AND an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) Certificate.
• 1 year of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• A Master’s degree or above.

At the Environmental Engineer 2 level (Goal Class)

Pay Range 62, $6,107 - $8,210 monthly

Six (6) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in environmental engineering.
• Education involving a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 6 years of experience.
• 5 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 3 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 2 years of experience AND an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) Certificate.
• 2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 1 year experience AND a Master’s degree or above.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in wastewater treatment plant design and operations, including preparing general sewer plans, facility plans, and contract documents (plans and specifications) for municipal wastewater treatment facilities.
• Experience or training in modeling including wastewater engineering and/or mixing zone analysis.
• Experience applying negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience communicating complex technical issues to the public.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Steve Ogle at steven.ogle@ecy.wa.gov
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

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

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