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Dam Safety Engineer (Environmental Engineer 2 or 3)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

 


The Water Resources (WR) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Dam Safety Engineer (Environmental Engineer 2 or 3) position. 


Location:  
 

  • Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
  • Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.


 

Schedule:

  • This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
  • In this position you can telework up to 2 days per week. This position also does fieldwork.
  • Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

  • Apply by July 6, 2025
  • This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after July 6th may not be considered.


 

 


 

 

Duties

 

What makes this role unique?

In this position, you will review construction plans and specifications as well as proposed updates and conduct periodic inspections of proposed or current dams within State jurisdiction. You will conduct field work and office work throughout the year, and you will have the opportunity to attend Dam Safety or Technical Engineering training/conferences to foster growth within your technical expertise. Our team consists of 6 licensed Civil Engineers and various technical admin support within the following groups: Compliance, Emergency Action Planning, and GIS/mapping.

The Dam Safety Office regulates nearly 1,100 dams, in every county in Washington, and the types of dams you will encounter will vary significantly in terms of size, complexity, and function. You will need the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities, including regularly scheduled periodic inspections of existing dams and new construction projects, while also maintaining a balance between in-office and onsite work throughout the year. 

What you will do:
 

  • Conduct onsite period inspections for significant and high hazard dams within Washington State to uphold public safety.
  • Utilize HEC-RAS & HEC-HMS software to determine extent of impact to downstream residences/property and ensure adequate water storage capacities.
  • Conduct research and analysis to compile periodic reports containing any determined deficiencies to dam owners.
  • Review construction plans & specs and perform inspections of proposed new and decommissioned dams.
  • Attend Dam Safety Conferences and Technical Engineering Trainings.
  • Work with technical admin supportive staff to provide data and analysis in assistance with compliance issues and Emergency Action Plan updates.

Learn more about what it is like to be an Engineer at the Department of Ecology.

 

Qualifications

Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:

 

  • 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
  • 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

This is an In-Training position. The goal class for this position is an Environmental Engineer 3 (EE3). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the EE2 or the EE3 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements at the EE2 level, then they will be hired as an EE2 and will be placed in a training program to become an EE3 within a specified period of time.

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify. 

Required Qualifications:

At the Environmental Engineer 2 level: Salary Range 62 ($6,107 - $8,210 monthly) in-training

 

  • An Engineering-in-Training Certificate OR A Bachelor's degree with a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field AND Two years of experience in environmental engineering.

OR

 

  • A Master's degree with major study in one of the following engineering fields, sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field AND One year of experience in environmental engineering.


At the Environmental Engineer 3 level: Salary Range 68 ($7,589 - $10,208 monthly) Goal class

 

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

 

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.

 

Individuals who are interested in applying to this position, and believe they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington based on reciprocity, are responsible for ensuring they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington prior to submitting their application materials.  These requirements can be found at the following website: WA State: Board of Registration for Professional Engineers: How to get your license: Professional engineer by comity. 

 


 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

At the Environmental Specialist 3 level: 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.

Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
 

  • Educational background and/or experience in the analysis of dam hydrology and hydraulics.
  • Educational background and/or experience in the use of computer modeling for sizing dam spillways and assessing dam breaches.
  • Field experience inspecting dams and/or slopes to evaluate their adequacy from an 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.


Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.


 

 

Supplemental Information

Our Commitment to: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

  • Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
  • Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.


For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

 

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

 

Need an Accommodation?

 

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

  • Please contact us at 360-407-6186 orcareers@ecy.wa.gov
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

  • For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Samantha Long at Samantha.Long@ecy.wa.gov
  • If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team atcareers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Water Resources (WR) Program:

The mission of the Water Resources program is to manage water resources to meet the needs of people and the natural environment, in partnership with Washington's communities.

 

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

 

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives(Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, exploreWorking at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: 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, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

 

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

 

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.