Facility Engineer (Environmental Engineer 3)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Facility Engineer (Environmental Engineer 3) within the Water Quality Program.

Location:

• Eastern Region Office in Spokane, 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.
• The first 30 days will require full time in the office. After 30 days, a minimum of one day per weeks will be required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by October 21, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

As a Facility Engineer and Permit Writer, you will join a dynamic team dedicated to protecting the surface and groundwater of Washington’s 13 easternmost counties. Experience gained in this position will advance your career in environmental engineering and wastewater regulation. In this role, you will fulfill the Water Quality Program’s mission to provide cool, clean water for future generations through developing waste discharge permits, reviewing engineering, and providing technical assistance to facilities discharging wastewater.

You will utilize your data analysis and technical writing skills to write National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and State Waste Discharge Permits for a wide range of industrial dischargers and municipal wastewater treatment plants. As a Professional Engineer, you will utilize your knowledge and expertise in wastewater treatment to independently review engineering plans, designs, and specifications for municipal wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities to ensure protection of water quality. You will be a key member of a dedicated team working collaboratively to verify and ensure compliance with water quality permits.

What you will do:

• As a Professional Engineer, negotiate and review environmental plans and monitoring programs associated with permitted industrial and municipal wastewater facilities.
• Apply knowledge and expertise to review engineering documents for industrial and municipal wastewater facilities to ensure continued or increased protection of water quality.
• Assist with site inspections and perform site visits for industrial and domestic wastewater facilities to ensure compliance with wastewater permits and provide technical assistance to help facilities meet their water quality permits.
• Protect surface waters by authoring National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for a wide range of industrial facilities and municipal wastewater facilities.
• Protect groundwater by authoring National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for a wide range of industrial facilities and municipal wastewater facilities.

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

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington, AND
• Three (3) years of experience in environmental engineering, which includes the following:
  • Permit Development – Ability to develop and review permits to ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Engineering Review – Ability to evaluate engineering plans and reports to ensure systems meet required design and performance standards.
  • Regulatory Interpretation – Ability to interpret laws and technical guidance to ensure sound and defensible permit and engineering decisions.
  • Data and Modeling Analysis – Ability to analyze data and apply modeling tools to determine impacts and establish appropriate permit conditions.
  • Technical Communication – Ability to communicate engineering and regulatory information clearly to support understanding and compliance.
  • Problem Solving and Judgment – Ability to identify technical issues and apply sound engineering judgment to make accurate, defensible decisions

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license or provide alternate reliable transportation for travel within the state of Washington.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington, in good standing. 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.

NOTE: Individuals who are licensed as professional engineers in another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign country and wish to apply for this position must qualify for licensure in Washington State by comity. Applicants are responsible for reviewing and ensuring they meet Washington’s comity requirements before submitting application materials. Licensing requirements can be found on the Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors website: How to Get Your Professional Engineer License When Licensed in Another Jurisdiction.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in municipal or industrial wastewater treatment plant design, construction, or operations.
• Experience applying negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience communicating complex technical issues to the public.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit

Our Commitment to DEIR

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 thatDEIRis 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.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your