Associate/Staff / Senior Pretreatment Process Engineer ( Multi - Level Posting )

Metro Water Recovery in Denver, CO - a nationally recognized leader among clean water utilities, provides wastewater conveyance and treatment services for more than 2 million people in the Denver Metro area.

At Metro, we help you be your best so we can do our best. You will join a team that offers stability, flexibility, and the opportunity to make a difference. We take pride in being part of an industry-leading team who serves the community by protecting the region’s health and environment.

Description

Why It’s a Great Opportunity:

Pretreatment process engineering offers a unique combination of engineering, environmental regulation, and general problem-solving. In this role, you will investigate a wide variety of industrial facilities and processes, apply engineering principles and regulatory requirements, and dig into the details needed to understand how industrial operations and wastewater discharges affect Metro’s system.

The work is varied and often investigative in nature and provides a direct public and environmental benefit. Metro’s Industrial Pretreatment Program helps protect Metro’s wastewater collection and treatment systems, the employees who operate and maintain them, and the environment receiving Metro’s treated effluent and biosolids. This position provides the opportunity to apply engineering skills to meaningful public service while continually learning about new industries, technologies, processes, and regulatory issues.

The position is part of a multi-level engineering series and may be filled at the Associate, Staff, or Senior level depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Why It’s a Great Department:

The Permits and Engineering Group is part of Metro’s Industrial Pretreatment Division within the Environmental Services Department. We are a supportive and collaborative team that is built on continuous improvement, shared problem-solving, and helping each other navigate complex technical and regulatory work.

How to be Successful in the Role: 

Our work requires curiosity, collaboration, sound engineering judgment, and a willingness to work through complex technical and regulatory questions. You will thrive in this role if you:

· Are genuinely interested in the role of an engineer as a regulator and recognize the importance of consistent, fair, and defensible application of environmental requirements.

· Enjoy solving problems where the answer may not be immediately obvious and are willing to investigate until you understand the technical and regulatory issues involved.

· Are highly detail-oriented and understand that small technical details and precise wording can matter in permits, fact sheets, regulatory determinations, and formal agency communications.

· Are a strong technical writer who can clearly document complex engineering analyses, regulatory interpretations, and decisions.

· Are curious and comfortable asking detailed questions about unfamiliar industrial processes, equipment, and operations.

· Enjoy learning about a wide variety of manufacturing processes, industrial wastewater treatment systems, monitoring systems, and engineering challenges.

· Can build productive working relationships with industrial users while maintaining Metro’s responsibility as the regulatory authority.

· Value careful, thorough work and recognize that technically and regulatorily defensible decisions sometimes require patience, documentation, and persistence.

This position will be filled at one of the following levels depending upon the candidate's qualifications:

Associate Pretreatment Process Engineer ($79,809.60 - $111,384.00 Annually)
Responsible for performing a variety of entry-level process engineering and regulatory activities related to the implementation of Metro’s Industrial Pretreatment Program. Under direction of more experienced pretreatment process engineering staff, the Associate Pretreatment Process Engineer applies engineering principles, calculations and methodologies to Industrial Pretreatment Program This position reports to a Principal Pretreatment Process Engineer or the Senior Pretreatment Process Engineering Manager.

Staff Pretreatment Process Engineer ($98,134.40 - $142,708.80 Annually)
Responsible for performing a variety of process engineering and regulatory activities related to the implementation of Metro’s Industrial Pretreatment Program. Applies engineering principles, calculations and methodologies and Industrial Pretreatment Program regulations to the following: characterization and permitting of industrial and commercial facilities, for the review and evaluation of monitoring point and treatment process engineering studies and design submittals and in the evaluation of potential impacts of discharges on Metro’s collection system, treatment plant operations, and Metro’s ability to comply with its discharge permits and biosolids land application requirements. May function as a task manager or focus area leader. This position reports to a Principal Pretreatment Process Engineer or the Senior Pretreatment Process Engineering Manager.

Senior Pretreatment Process Engineer ($114,483.20 - $166,441.60 Annually)
Responsible for leading and performing a variety of process engineering and regulatory activities related to the implementation of Metro’s Industrial Pretreatment Program. Plans and conducts work requiring independent judgment in the application of engineering principles, calculations and methodologies and Industrial Pretreatment Program regulations to the following: characterization and permitting of industrial and commercial facilities, review and evaluation of monitoring point and treatment process engineering studies and design submittals and in the evaluation of potential impacts of discharges on Metro’s collection system, treatment plant operations, and Metro’s ability to comply with its discharge permits and biosolids land application requirements. May function as a project or technical manager or focus area lead. Independently performs most assignments based on information received from line managers. This position reports to a Principal Pretreatment Process Engineer or the Senior Pretreatment Process Engineering Manager.

Qualifications
Associate Pretreatment Process Engineer
Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities: 

Knowledge of:

• Basic engineering principles and fundamentals, including mass and energy balances, fluid mechanics, biological processes, and chemical reactions and kinetics.
• Data analysis, including the application of statistical concepts
• Engineering design principles 
• Advanced math (differential equations, calculus, advanced algebra, etc.) 

 
Skilled at:

• Performing complex calculations using spreadsheets
• Critical thinking and analytical problem-solving.
• Analyzing data to understand and identify patterns and trends and to develop conclusions. 
• Communicating verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
• Technical writing.
• Using Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel and Power Point
• Reading and understanding complex technical documents

Ability to:

• Work in the unique role of an engineer who is also a regulator.
• Effectively communicate technical and other information to diverse audiences.
• Learn and apply process engineering principles and concepts and IPP regulations.
• Understand municipal wastewater treatment processes and operations
• Understand manufacturing operations and industrial wastewater treatment processes.
• Perform open channel and closed pipe flow calculations.
• Read and understand process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams and other engineering drawings.
• Read and understand academic and technical papers, synthesize findings, and, with guidance from more experienced pretreatment process engineers apply the content to practical process challenges and designs associated with industrial user treatment processes and systems and compliance monitoring facilities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Education
Bachelor’s degree in chemical, environmental, mechanical, civil or other related engineering discipline from an accredited college or university. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

 
Licensing, Certification and other Requirements
None

Staff Pretreatment Process Engineer
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Intermediate-level knowledge of process engineering principles and fundamentals, including mass and energy balances, fluid mechanics, process controls, biological processes, and chemical reactions and kinetics.
• Conventional and advanced municipal wastewater treatment processes, industrial wastewater treatment processes and compliance monitoring facilities. Conceptual and detailed design, general operations and regulatory compliance requirements and strategies.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of federal and local (e.g. Metro) Pretreatment regulations and policies and the associated implementation through an EPA-approved IPP and regulations.
• Basic knowledge of other Clean Water Act laws, regulations and requirements associated with the National Discharge Pollutant Elimination System (NPDES) Program – direct discharge and storm water.
• IPP Fact Sheet and Permit preparation for technical and regulatory defensibility.
• IPP compliance and enforcement requirements and procedures.
• Process modeling concepts and tools such as MS Excel, BioWin, ChemCad
• Basic principles and practices associated with the engineering evaluation of wastewater and other waste streams generated at industrial and commercial facilities and determination of potential impacts on Metro’s collection system, treatment processes and equipment, worker health and safety and ability to comply with permit and biosolids land application requirements.
• Computer software including Microsoft Office Suite including strong knowledge associated with utilizing MS Excel for complex and comprehensive calculations and MS Word for preparing technical reports, formal agency communications, documents and decisions and regulatory reports.

Skilled at:

• Problem-solving and analytical thinking with the ability to conceptualize and implement creative solutions to complex technical challenges.
• Analyzing relevant industrial facility process data and information to identify potential or anticipated impacts to Metro’s collection system, treatment processes and equipment, worker health and safety and ability to comply with permit and biosolids land application requirements.
• Reading, understanding and applying regulations and policies to industrial and commercial facilities of widely varying sizes, industries and complexity.
• Reviewing and evaluating the adequacy and completeness of engineering designs for industrial wastewater treatment processes and compliance monitoring facilities.
• Communication and interpersonal skills, adept at conveying technical and regulatory concepts to diverse audiences and in de-escalation techniques for situations where discussions may be tense or contentious.
• Active listening and mentoring less experienced process engineering staff.
• Using Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel and Power Point

Ability to:

• Work in the unique role of an engineer who is also a regulator.
• Effectively communicate technical and other information to diverse audiences.
• Effectively apply process engineering principles and concepts and IPP regulations.
• Innovate and think creatively, exploring new ideas and approaches to solve technical and regulatory challenges associated with Metro’s pretreatment engineering work and to support continuous improvement.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• With minimal support or direction from a higher-level pretreatment process engineer: 
  • Enter manufacturing and other industrial facilities and, through visual observations while onsite and asking process and operational questions of facility staff, develop an understanding of the facilities processes and operations and identify applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Using information obtained during site visits to industrial facilities, create accurate and complete process descriptions, process flow diagrams and piping and instrumentation diagrams associated with the facilities operations.
  • Prepare permits and fact sheets that are timely, complete, accurate and technically and regulatorily defensible and which require minimal rework following supervisory review.

Education
Bachelor’s degree in chemical, environmental, mechanical, civil or other related engineering discipline from an accredited college or university. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Licensing, Certification and other Requirements
Enrolled as an Engineer Intern (EI) in the State of Colorado or, if registered in another state, must apply for reciprocity in CO.

Senior Pretreatment Process Engineer: 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Wastewater process modeling concepts, procedures and tools such as MS Excel, BioWin, ChemCad
• Advanced principles and practices associated with the engineering evaluation of wastewater and other waste streams generated at industrial and commercial facilities and determination of potential impacts on Metro’s collection system, treatment processes and equipment, worker health and safety and ability to comply with permit and biosolids land application requirements.
• Computer software including Microsoft Office Suite including advanced knowledge with utilizing MS Excel for complex and comprehensive calculations and MS Word for preparing technical reports, formal agency communications, documents and decisions and regulatory reports.
• Advanced knowledge of:
  • Process engineering principles and fundamentals, including mass and energy balances, fluid mechanics, process controls, biological processes, and chemical reactions and kinetics.
  • conventional and advanced municipal wastewater treatment processes, industrial wastewater treatment processes and compliance monitoring facilities. Conceptual and detailed design, general operations and regulatory compliance requirements and strategies.
  • Clean Water Act laws and regulations associated with the National Discharge Pollutant Elimination System (NPDES) Program including federal Pretreatment regulations and policies and the associated implementation through an EPA-approved IPP and regulations and policies associated with direct discharge and stormwater permits and requirements.
  • IPP Fact Sheet and Permit preparation requirements to ensure technical and regulatory defensibility.
  • IPP compliance and enforcement requirements and procedures.

 
Skilled at:

• Problem solving and analytical thinking with the ability to devise creative solutions to challenges that are complex from technical and/or regulatory perspectives.
• Analyzing relevant industrial facility process data and information to make determinations regarding potential or anticipated impacts to Metro’s collection system, treatment processes and equipment, worker health and safety and ability to comply with permit and biosolids land application requirements.
• Reading, understanding and applying complex regulations and policies to industrial and commercial facilities of widely varying sizes, industries and complexity.
• Engineering design of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment processes and compliance monitoring facilities.
• For facilities of all sizes, types and levels of complexity, preparing IPP Fact Sheet and Permits which meet all EPA and local (e.g. Metro) requirements for technical and regulatory defensibility.
• Leadership and teamwork with a proven ability to lead teams of varying experience levels and backgrounds and to drive results collaboratively.
• Communication and interpersonal skills, adept at conveying technical and regulatory concepts to diverse audiences, in de-escalation techniques for situations where discussions may be tense or contentious and in identifying win-win solutions.
• Active listening, training and mentoring less experienced process engineering staff.

Ability to:

• Successfully work as a lead pretreatment process engineer overseeing technical and regulatory work for Metro’s IPP implementation. 
• Enter manufacturing and other industrial facilities and, through visual observations while onsite and asking process and operational questions of facility staff, develop a strong understanding of the facilities processes and operations and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Using information obtained during site visits to industrial facilities, create comprehensive, detailed process descriptions, process flow diagrams and piping and instrumentation diagrams associated with the facilities operations.
• Mentor and develop junior process engineers with a focus on building skills associated with process engineering and design concepts and calculations, reading and applying IPP regulations, permit and fact sheet writing, and with the unique roles of regulatory engineers.
• Critically review engineering design review documentation, technical reports and permitting documents prepared by junior pretreatment process engineers and provide clear and concise feedback and direction to facilitate timely and accurate completion of the work. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Education
Bachelor’s degree in chemical, environmental, mechanical, civil or other related engineering discipline from an accredited college or university. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Licensing, Certification and other Requirements
Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Colorado. If registered as a PE in another state, must apply for PE reciprocity in Colorado.

Working Conditions

Typical Work Environment
Variety of floor surfaces including concrete, gravel, asphalt, dirt, tile, loose stones, uneven surfaces, slippery surfaces, and wet surfaces; Inside environment; Outside environment all year in all weather conditions and temperatures; Chemicals; Lighting conditions including natural light, fluorescent, head lamps, incandescent, and low light; Vibration; Moving equipment; Work in Confined Spaces

Body Position Demands
Standing; Walking; Climbing stairs; Climbing ladders; Reaching forward and overhead; Balancing; Object handling; Simple hand/ Firm hand grasping; Operating controls; Sitting; Stooping; Kneeling; Crouching; Crawling; Typing; Fine hand coordination

Physical Demands (max forces are expected to be infrequent)
Max Weight Lifted: 42 lbs
Max Weight Carried: 42 lbs
Max Force Pushed: 75 lbs
Max Force Pulled: 128 lbs

Sensory Requirements
Wide field of view; Perception - Spatial; Olfactory (Smelling); Vision - Near; Depth perception; Color discrimination; Perception - Form; Feeling without seeing; Speaking; Vision - near and far; Hearing

Metro Water Recovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Applicants for employment with Metro Water Recovery must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

Employment Type: Full Time
Salary: $79,810 - $166,442 Annual
Bonus/Commission: No