Dam Safety Engineer (Environmental Engineer 3)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.

The Water Resources (WR) program is currently looking to fill a Dam Safety Engineer (Environmental Engineer 3) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA .

The Dam Safety Engineer position protects public health and safety by ensuring that dams and other impounding structures are properly designed, constructed, operated, and maintained. Reporting to the Dam Safety and Wells Section Manager, this position provides professional dam safety engineering services with emphasis on geotechnical engineering.

We are looking for self-motivated applicants with excellent people and communication skills, both written and verbal applied in a technical assistance and regulatory role. Top applicants will be able to make timely decisions without sacrificing quality even under ambiguous circumstances or when data is limited.

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability. Maybe you’ve seen some of our recent stories on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram or our blog .

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecy.wa.gov .

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

DUTIES:
The mission of the Water Resources program (WR) is to manage water resources to meet the current and future needs of the natural environment and Washington’s communities.

Some of the key work activities of the Dam Safety Engineer position are:

Periodic Inspections of Existing Dams Statewide:
Plans and conducts inspections of existing dams to identify safety deficiencies and assure that the impounding elements of the project are suitably operated and maintained.

Conducts geotechnical engineering analyses to determine the adequacy of dams, impoundments and appurtenant structures and application of geotechnical computer models.

Conducts dam failure analysis and prepares engineering reports summarizing and interpreting the findings of the field inspection and the geotechnical analyses conducted.

Exercises professional engineering judgment as to the seriousness of any deficiencies.

Consults and advises the section supervisor whether identified deficiencies warrant enforcement activity. Consults with engineering specialists in the DSO to obtain their input on hydrologic, geotechnical and structural issues.

Prepares reports documenting inspection findings.

Plan Review and Construction Inspection of New and Modified Dams:

Reviews and conducts analyses of engineering design reports, construction plans and specifications, and the inspection of construction work for compliance with dam safety requirements.

Focuses on subjects related to geotechnical factors resulting in dam failures.

Applies computer models for the analysis of the geotechnical elements of dams.

Consults with engineering specialists in the DSO to obtain their input on hydrologic, geotechnical and structural issues.

Meets with dam owners and engineers to answer questions and resolve differences on design approach.

Endorses agency approval of plans and specifications as appropriate.

Conducts construction inspections of dams to ensure they are built in accordance with approved plans and specifications. Please note: This position is being re-posted in order to increase the size of the applicant pool. If you previously applied you do not have to re-apply.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be June 1, 2017. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before May 31, 2017. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date .

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
A Master’s degree with a major study in geotechnical engineering

AND

Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington AND two (2) years of experience in environmental engineering.

OR

An Engineer-In-Training Certificate or a Bachelor’s degree with major study in geotechnical engineering

AND

Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington AND three (3) years of experience in environmental engineering.

NOTE: A Ph.D. in one of the above engineering fields will substitute for two (2) years of the environmental engineering experience.

NOTE: Requirements for professional registration as an engineer in the state of Washington are eight years of professional experience (which may include up to four years of college-level engineering education) and successful completion of sixteen hours of professional licensing exams. Applicants qualifying through the licensing equivalency option must achieve professional registration as an engineer in the state of Washington within six months of appointment to this class.

Desired Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering with a major study in Geotechnical Engineering.

Educational background and/or experience in the analysis of dams, slopes and/or other earthfill structures under static and seismic loading conditions.

Educational background and/or experience in the use of geosynthetics in the design and construction of dams and/or other earthfill structures.

Field experience inspecting dams and/or slopes to evaluate their adequacy from a geotechnical engineering point of view.

Field experience on the inspection of construction work for dams and/or other earthfill structures.

Excellent people and communication skills, both written and verbal applied in technical assistance and regulatory role.

Commitment to public safety and service.

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:
Must be registered as a professional engineer in the State of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington. If registered in another qualifying state, must acquire Washington professional engineering registration, within six months of employment.

Must possess a valid driver’s license.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Application Instructions:
Please include the following documents as an attachment to your application:

A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.

A resume outlining your professional experience.

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume” may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”

Other Information:
If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov . Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Joe Witczak at: Joe.witczak@ecy.wa.gov . Please do not contact Joe to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology. All employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the WFSE will, as a condition of employment, either become members of the WFSE and pay membership dues or, as non-members, pay a representation fee as described in the CBA, no later than the 30th day following the effective date of this CBA or the beginning of their employment.

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 or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.