Senior Environmental Engineer

Senior Environmental Engineer
Salary $142,182.00 - $177,727.00 Annually

Closing Date
6/25/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

The City of Sunnyvale offers:
City paid 2% contribution to a deferred compensation plan.
Classic CalPERS members have 4% of the employee contributions paid by the City, leaving only 3% for the employee to contribute.
Comprehensive City paid family medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Excellent Retiree Medical Benefits.
The City of Sunnyvale is actively seeking highly enthusiastic, innovative, and creative individuals to join the Environmental Services Department in various divisions. The ideal candidates will have a passion for excellence, a commitment to serving the community and outstanding interpersonal skills. Candidates must exhibit excellent problem-solving skills; a strong ability to communicate effectively and proactively both orally and in writing; and the capability to establish and maintain effective work relationships.

We are currently recruiting for the following Senior Environmental Engineer positions: 
Regulatory Programs Division: Under general direction from the Regulatory Programs Division Manager, the Senior Environmental Engineer – Wastewater Treatment will focus on regulator support to the Water Pollution Control Plant for NPDES discharge requirements and for air, safety, and hazardous materials compliance programs for the Plant.
 
* Water Pollution Control Plant Division: Under general direction from the Water Pollution Control Plant Division Manager, the Senior Environmental Engineer – Wastewater Treatment will provide engineering services to support process control and coordinate CIP activities at the Plant.
 
* Water and Sewer Division: Under general direction from the Water and Sewer System Division Manager, the Senior Environmental Engineer – Civil Utilities provides engineering services for the City’s water system, sanitary sewer collection system, and stormwater collection systems including development review and system CIP.

*These are new positions included in the recommended budget for FY 2024-25, which will be considered by the Sunnyvale City Council on June 18, 2024. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The position of Senior Environmental Engineer is a supervisory classification. The classification of Senior Environmental Engineer is distinguished from the higher-level Division Manager classifications in that the latter have overall responsibility for management of various services or programs.
Essential Job Functions
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Conducts a variety of studies and analyses of engineering projects or problems.
• Assists in the preparation Division's budget.
• Compiles engineering data, tabulates field data, and makes calculations.
• Assists in managing utility construction projects, schedules, and contract administration.
• Handles public relations and inter-utility coordination on the phone and in person.
• Writes, reviews and edits City Council agenda reports and engineering reports.
• Develops and supervises complex engineering research programs, and presents regarding various phases of work.
• Coordinates, oversees, and participates in investigations, studies, research, analyses, programs and projects for environmental projects.
• Monitors data gathering to ensure completion and conformance to requirements and business needs.
• Prepares and provides operations performance data and related summaries.
• Prepares estimates and calculations for process parameters, operations and maintenance costs, hydraulic calculations and/or coordinate the efforts of contracted consultants performing said work on behalf of the assigned division.
• Coordinates work requirements of capital improvement and other engineering projects with other departments.
• Works with utility customers to provide guidance and direction in establishing utility service requirements.
• Represents the division, department, and City at public and professional meetings and conferences; confers with the public and representatives of other agencies.
• Oversees or participates in the preparation of various complex technical regulatory reports required by State and Federal agencies.
• Takes an active part in the establishment of policies, standards, and procedures and assist in long-range planning in the assigned division.
• Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises and reviews the work of staff working on assigned programs.
• Supervise staff, as-needed labor, contractors, or volunteers.
• Participates in the selection of staff; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures.
• Serves as a technical resource in assigned technical area; provides technical advice to field operations, other City departments, and the public related to assigned area as required.
• Participates in budget preparation and administration; prepares cost estimates for budget recommendations; monitors and controls expenditures.
• Investigates and develops technical requirements and specifications for establishment of maintenance purchase orders, material purchase orders and contracts.
• Prepares preliminary and final cost estimates; performs cost-benefit calculations related to operational changes and return-on-investment analyses for projects.
• Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; establishes schedules and methods for performance of professional and technical activities; implements policies and procedures.
• Authorizes the procurement of necessary supplies, materials, and equipment.
• In addition to the above, if assigned to the Senior Environmental Engineer – Civil Utilities duties may include, but not limited to:
• Prepares engineering designs, plans, specifications, cost estimates and recommendations for a variety of water and sewer utility construction and maintenance projects, including but not limited to services, pipelines, storage tanks, wells, pumps, engines and control systems.
• Performs drafting involved in the preparation of maps, drawings and plans.
• Reviews plans and specifications for compliance with Water and Sewer Utility requirements.
• Represents the Water and Sewer Division in the community and at professional meetings and seminars as required.
• Prepares reports on water quality, supply and sales and other water related topics.
• Reviews legislative issues and environmental impact reports related to water quality and water supply planning.
• Checks plans submitted by private engineers and other public agencies for compliance with City Standards related to infrastructure.
• Evaluates regulations and assesses impacts to water and sewer operations and makes recommendations on City response to regulations.
• In addition to the above, if assigned to Senior Environmental Engineer – Wastewater Treatment duties may include, but not limited to:
• Analyzes wastewater process and operational data and recommends modifications to process design and/or operations to address regulatory compliance, efficient operation, or other operational objectives.
• Investigates problems and formulates strategies for treatment to assure cost effective operation and compliance with discharge requirements.
• Evaluates regulations and assesses impacts to wastewater operations and department services; makes recommendations on City response to regulations.
• Oversees or participates in the development, implementation, and troubleshooting of process controls systems.
• Plans and guides implementation of data management methods to address regulatory requirements.
• Applies statistical techniques in the interpretation of process testing results.
• Develops and maintains an intimate knowledge of the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) treatment systems allowing for a strong understanding and ability to explain to others how the systems function and evaluating impacts for presentation to affected departments, consultants and other stakeholders.
• Remains knowledgeable about developments in wastewater treatment techniques and processes, as well as changes in regulations and discharge standards.
• Develops and maintains a strong understanding of stormwater and wastewater regulatory requirements including NPDES, BAAQMD, Title 22 and CFR Part 503 Regulations.
• Revises operations and maintenance manuals as required.
• Prepares preliminary designs and specifications for the construction of small "in-house" projects.
• Reviews plans and specifications for wastewater operations and maintenance projects.
• Prepares environmental impact reports, planning studies, and other technical reports and correspondence.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position also requires near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal customer service. The need to lift, drag, carry and push files, paper, books and documents up to 25 pounds is also required. Some duties require field visits to inspect and monitor projects with exposure to inclement weather. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: 

• The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil, chemical, mechanical, or environmental engineering or a related field, AND
• Five years of increasingly responsible professional civil, mechanical, chemical, or environmental engineering experience, depending on assignment, includes experience in a supervisory or project management role.

Knowledge of: 

• Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluations.
• Methods and techniques for data and map collection, presentation and record management.
• Methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation.
• Principles and practices of budget monitoring.
• Office methods, procedures, software and equipment.
• Fundamentals of physical, biological, and chemical wastewater treatment processes.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of physical, biological, and chemical wastewater treatment processes.
• Knowledge of current technological developments in sanitary engineering.
• Knowledge of research methods.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment plant unit operations and unit processes.
• Knowledge of state and local rules and standards governing the operation of a wastewater treatment plant.
• Knowledge of administrative and organizational principles.
• Knowledge of supervision principles and practices.
• Ability to organize and present formal written reports and technical oral presentations in an effective manner.
• Ability to deal effectively with the public and other employees.
• Federal, State, and local rules and standards governing water quality protection and wastewater management.
• Knowledge of instrumentation logic and its relationship to data management and wastewater process control.
• Ability to:
• Organize, implement and direct assigned engineering and operations activities.
• Perform difficult and complex engineering computations and analysis and make comprehensive and sound decisions.
• Prepare and present administrative and technical reports and presentations.
• Effectively manage projects and consultants.
• Read, interpret and analyze maps, engineering design plans, estimates, technical manuals, specifications and reports.
• Apply City design requirements, standard details, specifications and other design guidelines.
• Negotiate effectively to ensure the best interests of the City are met.
• Solve difficult engineering problems.
• Interpret, apply and explain laws, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Operate a computer using word processing and business software and other office equipment.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public.
• Work independently and as a team member; recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.

Willingness to:

• Occasionally perform duties for periods longer than the normal eight-hour workday and attend evening meetings.
• Licenses/Certificates: 
• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.
•  
• Possession and maintenance of registration as a professional civil, structural, mechanical, or chemical engineer issued by the State of California.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working as an engineer in a public agency.
• Possession of a Collection System Maintenance Grade II certification issued by the California Water Environment Association
• Application and Selection Process
• If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources no later than 5:00 pm on June 25, 2024. Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted on-line through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and clicking on CITY JOBS.  Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

 
EXAM PROCESS
Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may consist of an oral examination scheduled on July 10, 2024.  Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.

SELECTION PROCESS
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Any candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City-selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

Information

• Location: Sunnyvale, United States

Industry experience

Education: Bachelor

Seniority: Manager, Director, Professor

Years of experience: 5 to 10 years

Taxonomy

• Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Engineer
• Environmental Engineers & Consultants
• M.Tech Environmental Engineering and Management