Engineer III (Floodplain Services)

Full Job Description

Snohomish County Surface Water Management (SWM), a Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is hiring a highly capable habitat restoration Engineer III to join our team.

Our ideal candidate shows excellent customer service traits, is self-directed and works well in a team environment.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate expertise in analyzing and designing habitat improvement projects and habitat-friendly infrastructure repair projects; operation and maintenance of flood control structures; hydraulic computer modeling; working in a floodplain environment; building community relationships; developing, implementing and monitoring project budgets; and overseeing grants and contracts.

We are looking for excellent communication skills, the ability to work well with staff and stakeholders with a variety of backgrounds, and the ability to positively contribute to the overall Surface Water Floodplain Services section and the entire SWM Division.

Successful applicants will have background and experience in geology, hydraulics, river processes, CADD and GIS.

Experience working in a riverine environment, boat-handling skills, reading design plans and specifications, along with excellent customer service skills are desired.

We value the ability to analyze issues, develop solutions using creativity and ingenuity and clearly communicate complex data to varied audiences.

Come join our team and build a career in the great northwest!

Job offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

About Surface Water ManagementSWM is a stormwater utility that provides services to unincorporated Snohomish County.

These services are funded by service charges paid by property owners in the unincorporated county.

SWM is the largest division in Snohomish County’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with an annual budget of $54.6 million.

SWM works in partnership with other local and regional agencies to improve Snohomish County now and for future generations.

SWM provides a variety of programs and services for reducing road and property flooding and preserving and improving the health of Snohomish County's water resources and natural systems.

We focus on four core areas of service:

• Drainage and road flooding
• Clean water in rivers, streams and lakes;
• Salmon and marine habitat; and
• River flooding

You can find us responding to water-quality problems and complaints, monitoring river levels during flood season, maintaining drainage systems, managing habitat improvement projects and more.

For further information on Snohomish County Surface Water Management's programs, please go to www.surfacewater.info. Our 2024 Highlights report is available here.

About the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)The Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) includes the Division of Surface Water Management, the Division of Parks & Recreation, the Office of Energy and Sustainability and the Office of Agriculture and aims to achieve high-priority environmental sustainability goals.

Some of the greatest assets we have in Snohomish County are our unparalleled beauty and abundant natural resources.

From the Puget Sound and five watersheds, to forestland, lakes, farms, ranches and parks, our quality of life, economic prosperity and future sustainability are dependent on protecting and improving our environmental resources.

Visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources web page to learn more. For further information on Snohomish County Surface Water Management’s programs, please go to www.surfacewater.info.

About Snohomish CountySnohomish County, north of Seattle, is located in northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.

The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy. Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.

When joining the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, you will work in an environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement are highly encouraged and supported.

We are proud to offer an outstanding benefit package to employees and their dependents.

We are invested in your success and growth and offer competitive wages, job flexibility and stability, employer paid ORCA cards, and a friendly, diverse team atmosphere where employees are appreciated and make a real difference providing services for our citizens.

We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a lifelong career.

Snohomish County - The Future We Choose

Benefits
Snohomish County will be invested in your success and growth. We demonstrate this by offering a generous compensation package to our employees. Your salary is only part of your Total Compensation Package. Our benefits include:

• Retirement: County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
• Medical benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plan with low deductibles. The county’s contribution to this benefit is significant.
• Sick leave: You will accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.
• Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.
• Holiday Pay: The County observes eleven (11) paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.
• Other benefits include wellness, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, long term disability, and more.
• Deferred Compensation: If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.
• Pay Increases: Each year you will be eligible for a step increase until you reach the top step.
• Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): County employees typically receive yearly cost of living adjustments.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Career development training.

Teleworking OptionsThe work associated with this position can be performed with a hybrid of remote work and in-office work as needed and assigned.

For employees who prefer to work in the office full time, that option is also available.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Snohomish County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. A Snohomish County Telework agreement is required for employees assigned to telework.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their Snohomish County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

For information about this job opportunity and posting, please email: Vicki Remtulla.

Requirements

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES 

1. Project management, analysis, and design of major improvements and modifications to public works roads and structures; produces design reports and plans, specifications and cost estimates for construction of public works facilities such as roadways, bridges, surface water systems, and solid waste sites.
2. Reviews engineering design work to ensure proposed designs meet project needs, engineering specifications and cost regulatory requirements.
3. Conducts or directs the preparation of major planning or design engineering studies by identifying and researching needs and problems in the area of specialization; monitors the collection of field data and the technical evaluations used to develop recommendations.
4. Manages the selection and administration of engineering consultants performing work for planning and reports, plans, specifications, estimates, and on call engineering services.
5. Prepares requests for proposals for professional engineering, consulting, and environmental services; reviews requests from consultants for changes in scope of work and recommends appropriate action.
6. Acts as a technical resource in a specialized area of engineering to resolve complex design and construction problems within the public right of way and provide assistance in correcting related problems on private property.
7. Conducts field trips to inspect project sites during planning and design phases, and during construction for compliance with specifications and plans.
8. Provides technical support and acts as engineering liaison between public works, consulting engineering firms and other governmental agencies; reviews agency documents preparing and presenting comments on behalf of the department.
9. Coordinates the location, notification and preparation of presentations at public meetings for assigned projects and assists in other project manager's public meetings. Provides technical testimony at Public Hearings or Meetings.
10. Provides technical assistance, guidance, and training to engineering staff.
11. Assigns, leads, and evaluates the work of subordinate employees as required; advises assists and trains subordinates as necessary. Participates in the selection of new employees, and makes recommendations regarding hiring..
12. Researches and prepares pertinent data and reports for legal counsel for court actions and represents public works on matters pertaining to real property condemnations.
13. Reviews and approves all plans and contract documents before they are used in the public bidding process for county construction projects.
14. Establishes and monitors a current public meeting calendar for all required public information meetings on proposed public works projects; confers with the appropriate project manager and goes through a checklist for all the required logistical details for the meeting.
15. Assures the accuracy of all engineering design standards and standard specifications used by the design staff; updates design standards and specifications as requested by the Engineering Manager and maintains up to date files of design standard drawings and standard specifications for staff use.
16. Develops recommendations for mitigating measures to reduce or provide for environmental impacts to the county road system.
17. Supervises or conducts field and laboratory investigations required to obtain representative soil information for potential construction sites; such investigations may be through borings, soundings, sampling or testing.
18. Evaluates field laboratory soils results and makes engineering recommendations pertaining to the foundation design of roadway, bridge foundations, retaining walls and landslide corrections.
19. Manages the civil materials testing laboratory; approves construction materials and their sources, maintains materials records, makes recommendations pertaining to material acceptance; establishes related procedures and criteria as necessary.

1. Performs related duties as required. 

Qualifications

A Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering or related field, and four (4) years of civil engineering experience, three (3) of which are in the area of specialization; OR, any equivalent combination of  training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Must pass job related tests.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A Professional Engineer's License or ability to obtain one by demonstrated training or experience is required for most positions.

A valid Washington State Driver's License.

Additional Information

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• engineering mathematics applied to area of specialization
• engineering principles and practices and the materials and equipment applicable to the area of specialization
• the current codes, trends, and developments in the field of engineering specialization
• principles of project management, organization and administration
• laws and regulations applicable to the area of assignment

• direct and inspect the work of consultants and contractors on civil engineering studies and projects
• prepare and manage project activities, including monitoring budgets, work schedules, grant requirements and progress reviews
• plan, direct and coordinate the work of subordinates
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with other county employees, representatives of other agencies and with the general public
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• prepare or oversee the preparation of engineering studies and plans

WORKING CONDITIONS
The work is performed in an office environment with frequent field trips to locations throughout the county to make site visits, attend meetings, or coordinate work activities.  Meetings or project requirements may involve working evenings, weekends or holidays as necessary.
 

Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.
EEO policy and ADA notice