Odor Control Senior Engineer at King County in Seattle, WA

Summary

About the Role:
The position provides an opportunity for candidates to apply their technical skills in Odor Control, and other Building Mechanical work in wastewater treatment and conveyance.

This position is an opportunity to work on a fun and collaborative team who is dedicated to design, process improvement, and producing quality products to improve the WTD Conveyance and Treatment systems.

Candidates will be involved in pump station upgrades, treatment plant upgrades, and conveyance projects related to Odor Control. The following are on-going or upcoming projects: Matthews Beach PS Odor Control, ESI Section 8. SP Odor Reduction Tower Carbon Scrubber Improvements. Sammamish Plateau Diversion. SulFeLox Study. Elliot West Wet Weather Treatment Upgrade. SP Truck Loading ventilation. Lakeland Hills Pump Station. West Point Raw Sewage Pump Replacement. West Point Grit Classifier. Mouth of the Duwamish CSO. Richmond Beach Forcemain and Interceptor Upgrade. South Plant Biogas Upgrade.

Several upcoming projects will be delivered under non-traditional or collaborative delivery methods, such as Design-Build, General Contractor Construction Management, Construction Manager at Risk, and progressive Design-Build.

This position performs work remotely and onsite.

*Note: Effective 1/1/2025, salary steps will include an additional 5.5% general wage increase per the agreement reached between King County and the Coalition of Unions agreement.
About the Team:
Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 900 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.

We partner with regulatory agencies 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 safeguard our precious water resources.

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 an Odor Control Senior Engineer, 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.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

Lead Odor and Corrosion Control Design: Serve as the Subject Matter Expert on County projects, developing and implementing advanced odor and corrosion control solutions for wastewater facilities. Be proficient with all types of odor control methods-including carbon adsorption, chemical scrubbing, biological treatment, and chemical injection-to design effective systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate designs that meet operational and maintenance needs, adhering to King County standards, NFPA 820, and regulatory guidelines; review and consolidate technical comments from design reviews; assist in work plan, schedule, and budget development for the execution of designs for wastewater projects; collaborate with treatment plant and offsite personnel to assess the status of current equipment and devise plans for improvements, upgrades, and replacements.
Design Development and Regulatory Compliance: Prepare engineering plans, specifications, and cost estimates for odor and corrosion control systems, ensuring compliance with County and State bidding policies. As a licensed Professional Engineer, stamp and sign plans, ensuring accuracy and integrity. Manage permitting processes with regulatory agencies like the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) to secure necessary approvals and permits. Review consultant-prepared plans to ensure conformity with County standards and implement system-wide changes per Odor Control Task Force initiatives.
Construction Support and Technical Consultation: Provide technical support during construction by reviewing contractor submittals and RFIs, and interpreting specifications and drawings. Ensure construction aligns with design intentions and regulations, addressing technical issues and reviewing change orders as needed to maintain the integrity of odor control implementations.
Field Sampling, Data Analysis, and Modeling: Lead field sampling programs to measure hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other odorous compounds. Analyze data to assess odor control effectiveness and identify improvements. Coordinate with modeling teams to integrate data into odor impact assessments using tools like EPA's AERMOD, enhancing design decisions.
Compliance and Technical Guidance: Provide guidance on safe chemical handling, proper ventilation, and best practices. Stay informed about emerging technologies and regulatory requirements, including PSCAA permitting, to incorporate innovative solutions and foster continuous improvement.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible engineering experience in odor control systems designs and evaluations.
Demonstrated experience in solving complex technical issues within a multi-discipline work environment.
Experience in handling multiple, high-profile, complex capital projects simultaneously within established timeframes and costs.
Knowledge of mechanical and energy codes.
Regulatory knowledge and permitting experience with agencies like the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) or similar experience with other local and federal agencies.
Experience with odor dispersion modeling tools (such as EPA's AERMOD), and conducting field sampling and data analysis of odorous compounds like hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other odor compounds to inform design decisions.

CompetenciesYou Bring:
Customer Focused - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
Cultivates Innovation - Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
Optimizes Work Processes - Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
Plans and Aligns - Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
Action Oriented - Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Required Licenses:
Washington State Driver's License.
Registration as a Profession Engineer and ability to obtain this within 6 months in the State of Washinton.
It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:
Expertise in Odor Control Methods: Demonstrated proficiency in designing and implementing various odor control technologies-including carbon adsorption, chemical scrubbing, biological treatment, and chemical injection-in wastewater treatment facilities.
Proficiency in modeling and data analysis: Experience with odor dispersion modeling tools (such as EPA's AERMOD) and conducting field sampling and data analysis of odorous compounds like hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other odor compounds to inform design decisions.
Familiarity with NFPA820 Standard and requirements.
Ability to work with a diverse group of people from consultants, Operations and Maintenance, other County staff, as well as the general public and other stakeholders, is essential in ensuring that project schedules and contracts follow County standards.
Ability to direct the work of technical wastewater engineering personnel and consultants on a project basis to produce coordinated engineering documents, including but not limited to, plans, specifications, and cost estimates that meet County Standards and public bidding requirements.
Ability to develop, implement, monitor, and report on all aspects of an assigned capital project which include, but are not limited to, project goals and objectives, success factors, scope, schedule, budget, and change control.
Ability to use collaborative processes to successfully execute projects involving a diverse group of people from a matrixed organization.
Knowledge and awareness of racial bias and inequalities. Skills to identify and successfully address racial inequities in the workplace and in the services provided to customers and stakeholders.
Ability to use software that supports the delivery of required work products, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and databases, as well as any technical or specialty software programs required to perform the job functions.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:
Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically monthly. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104) and treatment plant facilities. This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department's vision of Green Where We Work.
Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
Union Representation: This position is represented by Technical Employee's Association (TEA).

Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
To apply, submit a:
Complete Application
Resume
Cover Letter
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 Diana Eberly at diana.eberly@kingcounty.govDiscover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our websiteand 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 Alertsto 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.