JOB
About the Position
The Olympia Public Works Department, Water Resources division, is looking for a positive, detail-oriented individual with strong communication and technical skills and a desire to work in a team-oriented workgroup to fill the position of Wastewater Engineer II. The successful candidate will be a member of the “engineering and planning” workgroup which provides integrated planning, engineering and program development services for the City’s wastewater and storm and surface water utilities. Taking a team-based approach, key responsibilities will include engineering analysis, project feasibility and scoping, policy implementation, field crew technical support, site development review and capital program management. The position will also involve limited project design work.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Brings an in-depth understanding of municipal utility infrastructure and its management, including wastewater collections and management regulations and asset management principles.
- Skilled in leading and facilitating interdisciplinary teams in solving problems and making decisions regarding complex utility engineering, policy, regulatory, operational, and financial responsibilities.
- Understands the importance of communicating and enjoys fostering relationships within the workgroup, utility, city and community.
- Appreciates working with staff members that bring varying technical, operational, policy and financial skills and knowledge to a team and collaboration-centered environment and demonstrates a willingness to succeed and help others succeed.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
- An organized and flexible self-starter with a demonstrated commitment to reliability.
- Comfortable working with spreadsheets, databases and word processing software and in the operation of various engineering specific computer programs such as Cityworks, AutoCad and ArcMap.
Performs professional engineering and project management activities for the City of Olympia (City). Work involves providing engineering consultation, direct technical assistance, and problem solving to City staff; preparing and reviewing project plans, specifications, and cost estimates; and providing construction management ensuring adherence to the project design.
TO APPLY
- Submit a resume and a letter of interest by attaching both documents to your electronic application. The letter of interest must be no longer than two pages and should clearly explain how you meet the Ideal Candidate Profile (listed above) or what support you would need to meet the Ideal Candidate Profile.
- Open Continuous. Apply by midnight on June 29, 2026, to be considered in the first review of applications.
- Only electronic applications are accepted.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have questions about the position and/or requirements, please contact Susan Clark, Engineering and Planning Manager via email at [email protected] .
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:
1. Serves as engineering lead or technical consultant to assigned public works projects.
2. Oversees design and construction engineering and administrative aspects for public works projects.
3. Maintains effective communication and relationships with internal collaborators and external parties, local governments, and agencies.
4. Interprets and applies the City's Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) in the design of assigned projects.
5. Leads project scoping efforts and develops project charters; establishes and monitors scopes, schedules, and resources of assigned projects.
6. Prepares contractor pay applications; monitors and evaluates contractor performance; resolves performance and technical problems; reviews and authorizes payments.
7. Ensures projects are designed and constructed in compliance with all City, state, and federal regulations.
8. Collects and analyzes project data, performs research, and presents recommendations.
9. Performs public outreach through design and construction of assigned projects; responds to and resolves inquiries, comments and issues from the public on assigned projects.
10. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays current on new trends and best practices.
11. May be required to attend evening or weekend meetings and events and present to City officials and community groups based on organizational responsibilities and requirements.
12. Punctual, regular, and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.
TRANSPORTATION SPECIFIC DUTIES:
1. Plans, designs, and implements the City's transportation system with traffic operations including impact fee program, civil plan review and traffic control plans.
2. Conducts complex studies including traffic analysis and transportation and impact studies.
3. Reviews private development plans for compliance with City standards for construction and improvements to the City’s transportation system.
4. Revises Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS) per results obtained from transportation research and studies.
WATER/WASTEWATER/STORM & SURFACE WATER SPECIFIC DUTIES:
1. Reviews and approves civil and land use permit applications relevant to the applicable utility; ensures compliance with the current stormwater manual if assigned to Storm and Surface Water.
2. Prepares the capital budget for the utility; evaluates risk and cost for capital projects to set priorities for capital spending.
3. Initiates procurement and prepares scopes of work for contracts related to the utility.
4. Assesses and discusses project design and construction impacts with affected parties; negotiates and manages changes to resolve potential and pending issues.
5. Responds to inquiries from residents, land developers and contractors related to Utility systems, questions and concerns
6. Coordinates with operations and maintenance staff on problem solving and engineering related technical assistance.
7. Performs or oversees predesign work/contracts to support capital project development and scoping.
8. Proposes revisions to the Engineering Design Development Standards (EDDS) to meet current utility best practices.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
1. Thorough knowledge of current principles, practices, methods, and techniques of civil engineering.
2. Knowledge of department policies and procedures for the preparation, production and maintenance of reports, documentation, and records.
3. Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to engineering and/or utility design.
4. Knowledge of current construction methods, processes, materials, cost estimating and budget preparation.
5. Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, and Excel) and applicable department and organization specific software and ability to learn and become proficient in the use of other specialized software as may be required.
6. Skill in the use of AutoCAD Civil 3D to prepare plans and drawings.
7. Ability to interpret engineering plans, survey notes and legal descriptions.
8. Ability to create and present technical information in data or graphic format.
9. Ability to manage multiple priorities to ensure that deadlines are met.
10. Ability to perform research and analysis on complex engineering projects.
11. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, military service, or diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Experience/Education:
1. Associate degree in civil engineering or a related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible civil engineering experience as listed above;
2. OR bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field and three (3) years of experience as listed above;
3. OR a combination of experience, certification, education, and training that demonstrates expertise in the related areas.
Special Requirements:
1. A valid Washington State driver’s license may be required.
2. Must have Professional Engineer (PE) certification; must acquire Washington State certification within six (6) months of hire if certification is in a state other than Washington.
3. Some positions may require specific civil engineering or transportation planning background such as water resource engineering, natural resource management, environmental sciences, sewer system analysis, water service delivery analysis or travel demand forecasting methods/models, and highway capacity analysis procedures.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Contacts:
1. Varied contacts including City employees, private consultants, contractors, public officials, property owners and citizens.
2. Contacts are for the purpose of listening to various concerns and issues and to provide explanations of current City projects and practices.
3. Contacts will also be for the purpose of gathering and disseminating information.
4. Issues or projects may be controversial in nature, where the ability to explain the City’s position at a level equal to the audience’s level of technical sophistication is vital to success.
Supervision:
1. This position is not expected to perform full supervisory duties of staff.
Accountability:
1. Accountable for the quality, accuracy and timely completion of assigned projects and tasks.
Working Conditions:
1. Spends most of the workday in an office.
2. Some projects and tasks will require fieldwork to gather information and review existing conditions.
3. Field time may include exposure to all types of weather, work in traffic; construction sites; uncleared areas and standing/walking on uneven and slippery terrain; and entering manholes, sewer lines and/or lift stations.
Olympia is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
