Environmental Engineer 6

Salary: $8,801.00 - $11,835.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-PLIA-003
Department: Pollution Liability Insurance
Opening Date: 09/16/2026
Closing Date: 9/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
Environmental Engineer 6
Monday through Friday, 8am - 5pm |Flexible/Hybrid work schedule
Who we are:

The Washington State Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA) provides an effective and efficient government funding model that helps owners and operators meet financial responsibility and environmental cleanup requirements for underground storage tanks. This position supports the agency mission by performing advanced senior level oversight, consultation, and innovative policy development for technically complex petroleum contamination cleanup relating to the agency's Technical Assistance Program (TAP).


About the position:
The selected candidate will be an expert in environmental engineering and data management. They will also:

• Make sure that petroleum leak cleanups follow state rules and standards.
• Use their own judgement to review cleanup sites.
• Review agency technical opinion letters for consistency.
• Help create new agency policies.

This position provides technical oversight for projects in several agency programs including:

• The Loan and Grant Program.
• The Financial Assurance Program.
• The Reinsurance Program.
• Heating Oil Programs

This position reports to the agency's Technical Team Supervisor.

To learn more about this new opportunity, email the recruiter Rachel Vaughan via and request the full job description.

Duties

Some of what you'll do includes:

• Serving as an agency lead managing and directing petroleum cleanups.
• Independently evaluating remedial investigations, feasibility studies, and specialized cleanup action plans for accuracy and compliance with state laws and regulations.
• Proposing solutions to resolve complex environmental engineering problems on a program-wide basis that require the research and application of advanced environmental engineering techniques and principles.
• Drafting and reviewing technical opinion letters for site owners that evaluate the completed or proposed cleanup against the substantive requirements of the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA).
• Providing technical peer review for agency site managers.
• Developing and implementing effective and engaging technical trainings.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications, Education, Experience, and Competencies
To qualify for this position, you must have a total of eleven (11) years of any combination of qualifying education or qualifying experience.
Here are multiple ways to meet the qualifications for this position:
(OPTION 1)
Registration as a professional engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington.
AND
Eleven (11) years of experience in environmental engineering which includes one year as an Environmental Engineer 4 or equivalent or two years as an Environmental Engineer 3 or equivalent.


(OPTION 2)
An Engineer-In-Training Certificate or a bachelor's degree with a major study in one of the following engineering fields: environmental, water resource, civil, geotechnical, chemical, mechanical, or related field.
AND
Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington and seven years of experience in environmental engineering which includes one year as an Environmental Engineer 4 or equivalent or two years as an Environmental Engineer 3 or equivalent

(OPTION 3)
A master's degree with major study in one of the following engineering fields: environmental, water resource, civil, geotechnical, chemical, mechanical, or related field.
AND
Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington and five years of experience in environmental engineering which includes one year as an Environmental Engineer 4 or equivalent or two years as an Environmental Engineer 3 or equivalent.
**Equivalent combinations of education, professional experience, military service, public service, or other qualifying education may be substituted year for year for experience.

Qualifications - Position Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Excellent working knowledge of the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and/or soil remediation methods for contaminated site cleanups.
• Knowledge of the following items:
  • Environmental cleanup modeling applications.
  • Fate and transport of petroleum related contaminants.
  • Environmental remediation technologies.
  • Interpretation and application of applicable rules, regulations, and policies.
  • Principles and practices of environmental engineering; design, construction and operation of environmental cleanup technologies; methods and procedures in establishing and administering an environmental control program; laws and regulations governing environmental cleanup.
  • Government administrative structure at local and state levels.
• Ability to:
  • Direct development of designs involving environmental engineering theory and judgement.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with local, state and federal officials.
  • Plan, promote and administer projects.
  • Analyze significant environmental engineering and sanitation data and write evaluative reports.
• Ability to write legislation and rules and interpret and apply applicable rules, regulations, and policies.

Qualifications - General Competencies Required for All Positions at PLIA:

• Effective Communications:
  • Ability to communicate clearly.
  • Ability to write simple and accurate emails and documents.
• Commitment to Ethical Behavior and Integrity:
  • Ability to build trust and respect with coworkers and customers by being honest, open, and professional at all times.
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and ethical behavior at all times.
• Commitment to Equity:
  • Ability to learn about our agency's diversity, equity and inclusion culture and support those values in your work.
  • Treat everyone as important, and help create a workplace that is fair, inclusive, and respectful for all.
• Commitment to Self-Awareness and the Desire for Personal Growth:
  • Ability to learn new things and grow in a changing workplace.
  • Ability to balance work and personal life to bring out your best.
  • Ability to multi-task and handle stress in a changing workplace.
• Effective Interactions with Others:
  • Ability to recognize and address the needs of others.
  • Ability to build and improve teamwork with many different coworkers and customers.
  • Ability to remain calm and helpful with difficult customers.

Supplemental Information
You must provide all of the following items in order to be considered:

• A letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting.
• A current resume detailing experience and education.
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

If you fail to provide these items, PLIA may not consider you for the position.
**Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.)

General suggestions for creating a good application packet:

• Read the job posting carefully and find out as much as you can about the position.
• Make sure to follow all application instructions and include all requested documentation.
• Make sure your supplemental question responses address how you meet required and desired qualifications.
• Pay careful attention to each component of the supplemental questions. Provide examples of when and where you achieved the proficiency level required for this role.
• Specifically, include all of your work experiences doing the same or similar work required for this role.

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the application. Please do not refer to resume for detail, or your application may be disqualified.

Opportunity for All:
Diversity is a core value at PLIA. We are committed to building an inclusive and equitable workforce that celebrates diverse cultures, lived experiences, and perspectives. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

The culture of respect that we strive for at PLIA promotes a work environment where we can best serve people of all backgrounds across Washington State.
If you need accommodation during the screening process or a copy of this announcement in an alternative format, please contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at


We invite you to apply for this positionat PLIAwhere you will work with a great team to support our customers across the state.

Contact Information:
Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or View phone number on click.appcast.io.


For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, email the recruiter: Rachel Vaughan via
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.


Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.


Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.


Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.


Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01


Please tell us why you are applying for this position?
02


In which ways do you see yourself contributing to the Agency's mission and programs?
03


Please describe any background experience you have with underground storage tanks and related environmental issues?
04


Please describe any background experience you have providing technical reviews of plans and reports related to the cleanup of leaking underground storage tanks and associated environmental issues.
05


Please provide specific examples when you have reviewed and provided technical or administrative comments for the work of peers.
06


How did you hear about this job posting?

• Careers.wa.gov
• College Job Board
• Friend
• Indeed
• Job Board
• LinkedIn
• Other

07


We would like to know where you heard about this position.If you selected College Job Board, Job Fair, Job Board, or Other, please let us know the specific name of the college, job board, or place you heard about this position.If you selected a specifically named job board or webpage (listed above), please enter "n/a".
Required Question