Senior Surface Water Engineering Lead - Remote

Senior Surface Water Engineering Specialist - Environmental Engineer 5 (EE5)

Environmental Public Health – Office of Drinking Water

This home-based (remote) position is open to Washington residents only and offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining remote and field work throughout Washington State that is expected to comprise approximately 20% of work time.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) protects and improves the health of people in Washington state through equity, innovation, and engagement. Within the Division of Environmental Public Health, the Office of Drinking Water (ODW) works to protect public health by ensuring Washington communities have access to safe and reliable drinking water.

The Engineering and Technical Services Section provides statewide engineering and technical expertise to ODW programs, Section Supervisors, and the regulated drinking water community. This position provides technical leadership on complex drinking water issues, with a focus on surface water treatment and treatment optimization. The position also supports emergency preparedness and response and contributes to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment.

This is an opportunity to apply environmental engineering expertise to work that directly supports public health and the safety and reliability of drinking water systems across Washington.

Key Responsibilities Include

Surface Water Treatment & Optimization

• Serve as ODW’s technical authority on surface water treatment and treatment optimization.
• Provide engineering guidance and technical consultation to program teams, Section Supervisors, and drinking water systems.
• Evaluate complex treatment issues and develop or recommend solutions that support compliance and protection of public health.
• Provide technical leadership on drinking water treatment technologies, processes, and system performance.

Statewide Engineering & Technical Support

• Provide environmental engineering expertise to ODW programs and initiatives.
• Review technical information, engineering proposals, and treatment-related documentation.
• Support consistent application of drinking water requirements, technical standards, and best practices.
• Communicate complex engineering and technical information to technical and non-technical audiences.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Provide technical support during drinking water emergencies and incidents.
• Assist with emergency preparedness activities and response coordination related to drinking water systems.
• Apply engineering expertise to assess risks, identify solutions, and support timely public health decisions.

Infrastructure Assessment & Program Support

• Support DOH participation in the EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment.
• Collect, evaluate, and analyze technical and infrastructure information from drinking water systems.
• Provide engineering expertise to statewide planning, assessment, and program improvement efforts.

Collaboration & Technical Leadership

• Work collaboratively with ODW staff, drinking water system representatives, other government agencies, and technical partners.
• Represent ODW on technical matters related to drinking water treatment and infrastructure.
• Provide consultation, mentoring, and technical assistance to support staff and program teams.
• Stay current on emerging drinking water treatment technologies, engineering practices, and regulatory requirements.

Why You’ll Love This Role

This role offers the opportunity to apply environmental engineering expertise to work with a direct and meaningful public health impact. The position works with a collaborative team of engineers, technical experts, program staff, and drinking water professionals across…