In order for a position to be allocated into or remain in the Environmental Engineer series, it must first meet the definition for professional engineering. Then, the appropriate level within the Environmental Engineering series will be determined. The definition of professional engineering is:
Definition: Chapter 18.43 RCW defines the practice of engineering as the application of the mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences to such professional services as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design, and supervision of construction for the purpose of assuring compliance with specifications and design, in connection with any public or private utilities, structures, buildings, machines, equipment, processes, works or projects. Environmental engineering practices are oriented towards the protection of public health and/or the protection or restoration of the environment. Environmental Engineers produce or evaluate engineering documents; produce or evaluate the engineering elements of environmental and/or public health regulations, standards, guidelines or permits; and/or inspect sites or facilities to determine required remedial action or to assess compliance with federal or state regulations, contractual obligations, or permit requirements.
At the Environmental Engineer Trainee and Environmental Engineer 1 levels, incumbents are expected to assist in and perform routine environmental engineering activities under close or general supervision.
At the Environmental Engineer 2 level, incumbents perform the full range of environmental engineering activities within the assigned program.
At the Environmental Engineer 3 level, incumbents represent their department as a registered Professional Engineer and review and perform environmental engineering activities that require registration as a Professional Engineer.
At the Environmental Engineer 3A level, incumbents supervise a medium-sized environmental unit and represent the department as a registered professional engineer.
At the Environmental Engineer 4 level, incumbents either supervise an environmental section or large environmental unit performing environmental engineering duties, or are a section's authority in a specialty field.
At the Environmental Engineer 5 level, incumbents either supervise a medium-sized environmental section performing environmental engineering duties or are a program expert in a specialty field.
At the Environmental Engineer 6 level, incumbents either supervise a large environmental section performing environmental engineering duties or are the Agency's expert in a specialty field.
Specification for Class of
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER 3
Definition: As a registered professional engineer, performs professional environmental engineering duties in an assigned program involving the protection of public health and/or the protection or restoration of the environment. May supervise or lead assigned engineers and/or other staff.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Incumbents represent the agency as a registered professional engineer and provide/approve final engineering designs and decisions.
Typical Work
Serves as a professional registered engineer responsible for performing independent environmental engineering duties for a specific environmental program; duties may include final review and/or approval of detailed engineering plans and specifications, site plans, engineering reports and/or operation and maintenance of environmental systems; reviews the work of engineers who do not possess registration as a Professional Engineer;
Ensures compliance with applicable Federal, State and local laws, regulations and policies; prepares, recommends and/or coordinates enforce action (civil and criminal penalties, directives, or regulatory orders) against the regulated community based on a review of applicable engineering information;
Serves as an agency environmental engineering expert responsible for the review of engineering reports and detailed plans and specifications for projects involving Federal and State grant funds; may provide technical oversight, assistance and/or training to other governmental entities;
Independently plans and/or conducts specialized comprehensive engineering inspections and/or studies of municipal and industrial environmental treatment facilities to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and design/performance requirements;
Provides professional engineering expertise to the review and evaluation of proposal or existing environmental permits and permit applications; negotiates and prepares permits; makes final recommendations on enforcement actions;
Provides professional technical engineering assistance to agency staff and management, the regulated community, their consultants and the general public;
Interprets regulations, policies, technical engineering guidelines and procedures covering design requirements, engineering review, and operation and maintenance requirements for environmental control or management facilities;
Researches, writes and provides technical direction in the development/revision and implementation of engineering standards, regulations and guidelines for specific environmental program(s) and related engineering issues;
Prepares, reviews and negotiates with applicable parties environmental permits, regulatory orders and environmental plans and monitoring programs for assigned program(s);
May supervise and plan the work of engineers and/or environmental staff with a unit responsible for assigned environmental program activities;
Prepares and delivers engineering oriented presentations to professional groups and/or the public regarding department programs; serves as an expert witness in judicial proceedings and public hearings;
Performs other work as required.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: principles and practices of environmental engineering and/or environmental sanitation; design, construction and operation of air quality control, water supply and treatment and sewage and industrial waste disposal systems; physical and biological sciences as related to environmental engineering; methods and procedures in establishing and administering an environmental program; laws and regulations governing environmental issues.
Ability to: evaluate technical environmental engineering data and computations; develop designs involving environmental engineering theory and judgment; plan, promote and administer environmental engineering projects; supervise and train others; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with public officials and community groups; write engineering reports and proposed environmental legislation.
Minimum Qualifications
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.
Registration as a professional engineer in the State of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington and two years of experience in environmental engineering.
An Engineer-In-Training Certificate or a Bachelor's degree with a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, civil, geotechnical, water resource, environmental, chemical, mechanical or related field.
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: A Ph.D in one of the above engineering fields will substitute for two 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.
General revision: 1-1-68
Revised minimum qualifications: 12-1-68
Revised minimum qualifications: 3-1-69
Revised minimum qualifications: 10-1-69
Revised definition and general revision: 3-3-86
Revised minimum qualifications: 4-10-87
Revised minimum qualifications: 11-15-91
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics and minimum qualifications: 1-29-93
Revised minimum qualifications: 1-13-95