Local recruitment: Environmental Engineer 3

Washington Department of Health

Spokane Valley, WA, USA 🇺🇸

The Office of Drinking Water (ODW) works with others to ensure safe and reliable drinking water to the people of Washington State. More than 85 percent of the state’s population gets their drinking water from public water systems. Public water systems and their waterworks operators are our first line of defense against contaminants getting into our public water supplies and people getting sick.

TheEnvironmental Engineer 3 represents ODW as a registered Professional Engineer, administering the regional drinking water program in assigned counties under the supervision of the Assistant Regional Manager. This position uses engineering expertise to protect public health by

  • Responding to drinking water emergencies,
  • Conducting sanitary surveys,
  • Providing technical review of water system design and planning documents,
  • Providing technical assistance to local health jurisdictions, state and federal agencies, water system owners and operators, community officials, consulting engineers, and citizen groups,
  • Assisting in the resolution of water system non-compliance.

This position will be assigned specialty subjects and/or project responsibilities to coordinate regional and statewide efforts in specific subject areas.

This recruitment is for one (1) full-time permanent Environmental Engineer 3 position located within the Office of Drinking Water (ODW) in the Environmental Public Health Division (EPH).


The duty station for this position is in Spokane Valley, WA. Telework (mobile work) is currently expected. When approved, the incumbent is expected to report to the duty station for work activities. Partial telecommuting may be an option subject to supervisory approval.

About the Office of Drinking Water
We work with others to protect the health of the people of Washington by ensuring safe and reliable drinking water.

Our primary roles include:

  • Responding to public health emergencies related to drinking water
  • Setting clear expectations for Washington’s public water systems and holding them accountable for protecting public health
  • Providing funding and technical assistance to support safe and reliable drinking water
  • Educating and informing our partners and the people of Washington about drinking water issues

About the Department of Health
The vision of the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is equity and optimal health for all. Our mission is to work with others to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington state. Learn more about the DOH Transformational Plan.

Washington is America’s Top State according to U.S. News (2021) and offers one of the most competitive benefits package in the nation that is designed to meet the needs of you and your family.

Our Values
Good organizations know what they do and how they do it. Great organizations also understand why they do it. Our values are:

  • Human-centered: We see others as people who matter like we do and take into account their needs, challenges, contributions, and objectives.
  • Equity: We are committed to fairness and justice to ensure access to services, programs, opportunities, and information for all.
  • Collaboration: We seek partnership and collaboration to maximize our collective impact. We cannot achieve our vision alone.
  • Seven Generations: Inspired by Native American culture, we seek wisdom from those who came before us to ensure our current work protects those who will come after us.
  • Excellence: We strive to demonstrate best practices, high performance, and compelling value in our work every day. 

The Washington State Department of Health acknowledges that our locations statewide are on the homelands of Native people, who have lived in this region from time immemorial.  Currently, within the boundaries of Washington State, there are 36 tribes, 29 of which are federally recognized, that share traditional homelands and waterways in what is now Washington State. Some of these are nations and confederacies that represent multiple tribes or bands.  We express our most profound respect for and gratitude toward these original and current caretakers of the region. As a public health agency, we acknowledge our responsibility to establish and maintain relationships with these tribes and Native peoples, in support of tribal sovereignty and the inclusion of their voices in public health programs and policies.  We pledge that these relationships will consist of mutual trust, respect, and reciprocity.

Benefits of Working for DOH
Washington State offers a full benefits package, including vacation and sick leave, family medical and dental coverage, life insurance, retirement, and a deferred compensation program.


     We also offer:

  • Ahealthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for many positions.
  • Growth and development opportunities. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, access to healthy food, and fitness classes.
  • Opportunities to serve your community through meaningful work.
  • A commitment to diversity and inclusion fosters an inclusive environment that encourages all employees to bring their authentic selves to work.
  • An Infant at Work Program based on the long-term health values of breastfeeding newborns and infant-parent bonding. 
  • Employee resource groups that provide forums for employees to gather and share ideas about matters that affect their personal and professional lives and support career development.   

Spokane Valley is located on the eastern border of Washington State. Spokane Valley prides itself on quality neighborhoods and schools, along with strong business and retail centers. Friendly people, natural surroundings, and beautiful weather are part of what make Spokane Valley a favorite destination for visitors from all over the world. With all four seasons represented, we have an abundance of recreational activities.  

Spokane Valley is located in Spokane County, Washington, homelands of the Native American plateau tribes and upper bands of the interior Salish Indians, including those recognized today as the Spokane Tribe of Indians. We acknowledge their presence here since time immemorial and recognize their continuing connection to the land, to the water, and to their ancestors.  

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Duties Include

  • Working with water systems to help them achieve and maintain regulatory compliance.
  • Applying engineering expertise to review plans, specifications, design reports, project documents, construction documents, individual water system plans, and coordinated water system plans submitted by Professional Engineers. 
  • Meeting with water system representatives on site to review their operations and inspect key facilities.  
  • Helping water systems prepare for and respond to drinking water emergencies.
  • Helping the water system identify existing and potential sources of contamination and opportunities for improvement.  
  • Working with the water purveyor and other drinking water partners to ensure consumers are notified of health risks and know how to protect themselves.

What we’re looking for
Our ideal candidate has a driving passion for the work, brings humility to their job and interactions, and understands how their actions affect others. They see the needs and objectives of others and take them into account while achieving their objectives, and they adapt their approach and expectations accordingly. Our ideal candidate demonstrates resilience to model outward behaviors including seeing people like ourselves whose goals, objectives, needs, and challenges matter.  

Required Qualifications (Education and Experience) 

  • Licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Washington or ability to obtain licensure through comity within six months from date of hire in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, civil, geotechnical, water resource, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field.

AND

  • One (1) or more years of experience working in the field of environmental engineering or public health administration with state and federal drinking water regulations as a water utility employee, consultant, or working for a state or county drinking water program.

Desired Qualifications 

  • A Bachelor’s degree or above with major study in one of the following engineering fields:  sanitary water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field  
  • Three (3) or more years of experience working in the field of environmental engineering or public health administration with state and federal drinking water regulations as a water utility employee, consultant, or working for a state or county drinking water program.
  • One (1) or more years of experience designing, operating, or working with surface water treatment plants.

Application Process
Intrigued? Click “Apply” to submit your detailed application profile along with the following:

  1. A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are interested in this position.
  2. A current resume.
  3. Three (3) or more professional references included in your profile. Please include at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised staff) someone you have managed or led.

Important Note: Do not attach documents that are not requested in the Application Process. Please ensure that the documents that are attached are not password protected or contain a photo or private information (social security number, year of birth, transcripts, etc.). Documents not requested will not be reviewed.    

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or 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 year of birth.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is an equal opportunity employer. DOH strives to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful. We prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, genetics, or disability.

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

Conditions of Employment/Working ConditionsAll employees engaging in work for the Department of Health must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before their hire date. The Office of Human Resources will verify proof of vaccination after an employment offer has been extended.  

This position requires an onsite/in-person presence. A medical or religious exemption to the vaccine mandate cannot be accommodated at this time. Contact HR@doh.wa.gov with any questions.    

With or without an accommodation, I am willing and able to:

  • Legally operate a state or privately-owned vehicle or provide alternative transportation in both daylight and at night, as well as in inclement conditions.
  • Occasionally work more than 40 hours per week and/or adjust typically scheduled hours, including evenings and weekends.
  • Must possess registration as a professional engineer in the State of Washington in an appropriate discipline related to the position or be capable of obtaining Washington registration by comity within 5 months of the date of hire.
  • Travel statewide, or out of state, alone or with others and stay out of town overnight as needed. 
  • Traverse difficult terrain and move within drinking water facilities, including climbing stairs and ladders.
  • Move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. 

If you have questions, need alternative formats, or other assistance please contact Kristina Cox at kristina.cox@doh.wa.govor (360) 485-5249, TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 7-1-1. Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can’t log in, password or email issues, error messages).


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