What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Engineer - Process position at Clean Water Services?
About the Position
Join the Clean Water Services Research and Innovation team as a process engineer. You will serve our four Water Resource Recovery Facilities and:
- Guide process decisions through all phases of design, startup, operation, and optimization.
- Advise facility planning efforts to ensure treatment capacity needs are met and current and future permit requirements are considered.
- Develop creative, practical approaches to improve treatment reliability, optimize process performance and address future treatment concerns.
As a member of the Research & Innovation team, you will work with a group of highly motivated engineers and scientists to solve problems. You will also work closely across departments including engineering, operations, regulatory affairs, and the water quality laboratory. This is a unique opportunity to work inside an industry leading Water Resource Recovery Utility
About the Recruitment
We have one process engineer position available. We have opened the recruitment at both the senior and principal engineer levels and will move forward with the most qualified candidate. Our human resources personnel will evaluate how your work experience and education meets the minimum qualifications for the position. Please ensure your application materials clearly demonstrate work experience and education that meets the stated guidelines. Please also answer the supplemental question and highlight how your work experience relates to the essential functions and desired qualifications.
If you do not meet the minimum qualifications of the principal process engineer position, you will not be considered for other positions unless you have applied for them. Therefore, if you are uncertain which position to apply for, we encourage you to apply for both.
About the Research and Innovation Team
R&I is a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists with a broad focus both inside and outside the resource recovery facilities. Our process engineers run pilot treatment systems to set process design criteria and execute applied research projects in diverse areas from digital twin development to anaerobic digestion stability. Our wider R&I team applies watershed, river, and collection system models to support decision-making, evaluates impacts of emerging contaminants, and applies molecular techniques to monitor watershed health. We collaborate closely with work groups across CWS to provide expertise and innovative problem solving to improve utility operations and protect the Tualatin River watershed.
Notes:
The Principal Engineer – Process posting will remain open until filled. The first review of applications will begin May 12, 2025
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of all treatment processes and develops and recommends policies, procedures, and methods to optimize overall plant performance. Maintains current knowledge of and contributes to state-of-art engineering technology and industry practices; conducts process studies and evaluates new products, processes, and techniques used in wastewater treatment processes and energy and nutrient recovery ;develops feasibility proposals.(The essential functions listed below are not intended to reflect all duties that may be assigned to this classification. Clean Water Services (CWS) may augment duties and/or essential functions at its discretion. Additionally, some incumbents may not perform all Essential Functions.)
- Researches and provides guidance for complex process problems to ensure that processes, systems, and facility modifications enhance the facility's operation.
- Provides complex design support, process engineering design, and regulatory interpretations for technical, regulatory, and contractual requirements; reviews operations processes and plant designs through initial data gathering, analysis of existing systems, initial process design, desktop analysis, lab and pilot scale testing, plan reviews, startup troubleshooting, and long-term optimization; reviews or approves changes to design and contract provisions.
- Provides technical and analytical advice on complex physical, biological, and chemical processes in order to maximize wastewater plant operation efficiency and meet permit requirements; analyzes laboratory and other reports, including process efficiency data; identifies causes and remedies of non-routine events; recommends process control strategies and adjustments to process variables affecting the quantity and quality of process effluents, biosolids, nutrient and energy recovery, evaluates the overall impact on processes and plant performance.
- Participates in the development and implementation of CWS goals and measures including developing innovative solutions within available resources. Attends and participates in professional group meetings and maintains current knowledge of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering design for water supply facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, or stormwater and sanitary sewer conveyance. Develops and delivers professional reports.
- Participates in Facility Planning and guides process design decisions through all phases of design, implementation, startup, operation, optimization, and modifications.
- Performs research and development and policy level review and makes recommendations to management and external stakeholders regarding wastewater treatment plants or stormwater and sanitary sewer conveyance; conducts technical wastewater process research; evaluates new processes to optimize plant operation and analyzes new or proposed legislation or regulations to determine impact on program operations or permit compliance. Pursues patents on significant new work.
- Oversees process control across multiple wastewater treatment plants. Recommends goals and targets for plant operation and provides guidance and resources to process control staff. Provides in-house training and skill development to operations staff. Develops and runs models of the wastewater plants to guide design, operation, and optimization.
- Designs, implements, and recommends Best Management Practices (BMPs) in tertiary and secondary wastewater treatment; digestion; nutrient and energy recovery and industrial pretreatment; advanced laboratory testing protocols; pertinent permits and regulations.
- Manages the work of technical, professional and/or supervisory staff. Oversees employee development and performance including selection and training; preparation of performance appraisals, and development or improvement plans; resolves complaints and grievances; implements disciplinary actions.
- Assists in creating a positive and supportive work environment; enforces a safe workplace; establishes a culture of teamwork and communication; creates a workplace that promotes the organizational values of workplace diversity, equity and inclusion and actively promotes an environment respectful of living and working in a multicultural society.
- Drives a CWS or personal vehicle for work-related purposes.
- Chemistry, microbiology, and design theory, principles, and practices and their application to wastewater treatment, conveyance, and pumping systems
- Principles of project development and management
- Advanced research methods including complex data collection and statistical analysis
- Current best practices in tertiary and secondary wastewater treatment and industrial pretreatment
- Nutrient and energy recovery
- Advanced laboratory testing protocols
- Pertinent permits, federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
- Principles of supervision; teambuilding and coaching techniques and practices
- Monitoring, analyzing, and troubleshooting complex processes for wastewater treatment facilities
- Gathering, evaluating, and interpreting bench-scale, pilot, and full-scale operating data
- Operation and design of pilots
- Interpreting and applying pertinent federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
- Use of computers and computer software for word processing, spreadsheets, database management, and computer modeling
- Writing papers and presenting technical information at conferences
- Developing innovative solutions within available resources
- Reviewing and interpreting engineering specifications, plans, maps, and reports
- Preparing and administering budgets
- Selecting, supervising, training, and evaluating staff
- Identify, research, and analyze complex technical problems, processes, and procedures
- Develop, organize, and operate complex pilot testing of equipment, chemicals, or processes
- Efficiently coordinate and manage multiple engineering projects to completion within scheduled deadlines and allocated budgets
- Prepare and deliver presentations, demonstrate creative and unique solutions to resolve problems or develop new processes and strategies to improve the reliability and cost-effectiveness of technical processes
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including a variety of CWS staff and other government officials, community groups, and the general public
- Operate effectively in a team environment
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:
The following are the minimum qualifications for this position.
5 years of supervisory or managerial experience;
5 years of project management experience with a focus on process engineering;
5 years of experience performing process engineering for wastewater treatment;
Bachelor's degree in civil or wastewater treatment engineering/technology, chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science, process engineering, or related field preferred.
CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates must possess current registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Oregon at time of application or possess current registration as a Professional Engineer in another state and obtain registration in the State of Oregon within six months of hire.
Candidates must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver’s license.
Reasonable Accommodation
Applicants who require reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any phase of the application process should contact Human Resources at 503.681.3600 or TDD 503.681.3601.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Clean Water Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, marital status, age, uniformed service, sexual orientation or disability in the admission or access to the recruitment process or any aspect of employment.
Salary : $120,992 - $166,364
