Wastewater Process Engineer II

Full Job Description

This position is open to all qualified candidates

About the Role

The King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) protects public health and the environment of the central Puget Sound region by collecting and treating wastewater, while recovering valuable resources that would otherwise be lost.

We manage a vital infrastructure that contributes to the region’s economic development and provide services to 18 cities, 15 local sewer districts, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, and nearly two million residents across a 424-square-mile area in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties.

The Wastewater Process Engineer II will play a key role on the WTD process team and will participate in a diverse body of work such as overseeing and providing technical support for Brightwater Wastewater Treatment Plant processes (secondary treatment, solids handling, anaerobic digestion, resource recovery, membrane bioreactor, etc.).

The Wastewater Process Engineer II will also be responsible for leading process, energy, and chemical optimization projects and pilot testing for various process areas as well as ensuring regulatory compliance with treatment plant permits (e.g.

Municipal Wastewater, Puget Sound Nutrient, Industrial Stormwater, Reclaimed Water, and air permits), compiling regulatory reports, and acting as process subject matter expert for Operation & Maintenance staff and leadership, and capital projects.

With about 1000 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division is at the forefront of environmental stewardship.

We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection.

We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that serves over 2.3 million King County residents.

Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region.

If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to protect public health and the environment by collecting and cleaning wastewater while recovering valuable resources for a healthy and resilient Puget Sound.

About the Team

This is a great opportunity to embark on a career dedicated to protecting public health and the environment, working for an essential county agency with teams of dedicated professionals.

The successful candidate will be involved in the long-term treatment planning capital program and will help guide the agency’s process improvements and implementation of new technologies.

WTD’s mission is to protect public health and enhance the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recycling valuable resources for the Puget Sound region.

To our agency, success means clean water. It means honoring our legacy while keeping a promise to future generations that our beautiful environment will be there for them to enjoy.

We are committed to the principles of equity and social justice.

We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.

WTD strives to provide equitable services to residents and businesses across King County.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world.

Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees.

As a Wastewater Process Engineer II you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Requirements

What you will be doing:

• Monitor and track wastewater treatment unit processes (liquids, solids/biosolids, odor control, energy recovery, reclaimed water, etc.) and overall plant operations to ensure regulatory compliance, optimize final product quality and resource recovery, and minimize chemical and power use and costs.

Plan and conduct field and pilot scale studies, research projects, and/or engineering studies to optimize existing plant processes, chemical use, energy use, or trial new processes.

Review and evaluate start-up and commissioning procedures for new equipment and systems. Prepare project proposals, technical reports, and presentations for diverse audiences.

• Develop plans for field sampling and laboratory analysis. Coordinate and schedule associated laboratory work for project(s) with appropriate responsible parties. Evaluate, organize, review, and prepare data for technical reports and presentations.
• Interpret and understand applicable regulations and permits and work to ensure compliance with enforcement agencies such as Department of Ecology, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, EPA, etc. Assist management staff in permit, policy, and budgetary evaluation and requirements.
• Act as subject matter expert for capital project teams in evaluating process alternatives, design, implementation, and operational needs associated with new and system rehabilitation projects.

Qualifications

Qualifications you bring

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant fields such as environmental, mechanical, industrial, civil, chemical, or biological engineering.

Combination of 4+ years of professional and/or educational experience in biological and/or chemical processes and process control.

Experience qualifications can consist of, but is not limited to, any combination of the following: consulting, academic, research, utility, industrial, and/or commercial environment.

• Experience collecting, understanding, analyzing, and interpreting data in an educational and/or professional environment.
• Computer proficiency measured through familiarity with and use of general software (Microsoft Office 360: Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) and/or through familiarity with and use of industry specific software (e.g., Lab Information Management Systems, Distributed Control Systems, Water Information Systems, and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems).
• Strong written communication skills measured through a detailed review of submitted materials (e.g., cover letter, resume, and answers to supplemental questions).

Required licenses:

• State of Washington Driver’s License or ability to obtain one within 6 months.
• Ability to obtain an Engineer In Training license (EIT) or a Professional Engineering license (PE) within 1 year.
• Ability to obtain a Washington State Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Group III OIT certificate within 1 year and ability to obtain Group III (non-OIT) certificate within 2 years.

Competencies you bring;
Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

It would be great if you also bring:

• Experience with wastewater treatment processes at municipal treatment plants, wastewater consulting firms, academic/research institutions, and/or industrial manufacturers with on-site treatment plants.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment and resource recovery, including biosolids, recycled water, energy, sustainability, nutrient management, and contaminants of emerging concern in the wastewater context.
• Knowledge of the application of chemistry, biology, engineering, or physical sciences techniques and principles; scientific methods and procedures; and application of laboratory practices and analytical techniques and methods; test engineering.

Additional preferred qualifications include skills in:

• Problem solving and critical thinking techniques and principles
• Working independently, taking initiative, time management, and task prioritization
• Training, guiding, and monitoring junior staff
• Utilizing team building techniques and principles to collaborate with other groups to solve problems
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse groups of people in varying occupations
• Strong verbal and written technical communication skills

Additional Information

Working Conditions:

Work Details: This is a primarily onsite job, with allowances for limited remote work.
Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within reasonable proximity to King County worksites to meet in-person work requirements. 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.
Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
Union Representation: SEIU L925
Physical Requirement: Work is performed in a combination of environments ranging from standard office (70%) to field sites (30%).
Workplace Exposures: Field work may occasionally require exposure to biological and chemical hazards, physical hazards (slips, trips, falls, elevated noise), and environmental hazards (varying climate conditions). Position will require walking, bending, climbing stairs, and standing as well as some lifting of heavy items (40lbs).

Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment: (subject to change)

• Technical Interview: Interviews will be held April 2026

• Panel interview: Onsite interviews will be held April through early May 2026

• Potential follow up interview: Interviews will be held May 2026

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume (Required)
• Cover Letter (Required)
• Responses to the supplemental questions

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact danilee@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and the WTD Blog.Discover More About DNRP: Visit our DNRP website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference?

Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce.

To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity.

Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.To Apply If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.