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PSD Permit Engineer (Environmental Engineer 3)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
 
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a great fit.

The Air Quality Program (AQP) is looking to fill a PSD Permit Engineer (Environmental Engineer 3) position. The position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.

The PSD Permit Engineer position is responsible for issuing PSD permits, a critical element of preventing deterioration of air quality in Washington State from industrial point sources and is a key element of Priority 2 in the AQP strategic plan. In addition, this position provides a variety of engineering analysis in support of other program priorities.

We are looking for engineers who possess excellent people skills, the ability to analyze complex processes and situations and make professional judgment as to the accuracy of plans and reports and the ability to communicate the assessment with a diverse audience. The qualifications (especially the desired qualifications) demonstrate the complexity of the projects that face the PSD permit team.

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
 
Duties

 
The mission of the Air Quality Program (AQP) is to protect, preserve, and enhance the air quality of Washington to safeguard public health and the environment and support high quality of life. The federal Clean Air Act requires all states to have statewide operating permit programs for businesses and industries that are the largest sources of air pollution. An air operating permit contains all the permit requirements that apply to an air pollution source.

Some of the key work activities of the PSD Permit Engineer are:

Reviews complex NSR/PSD applications to determine if the industries will be in compliance with Best Available Control Technology (BACT) and other applicable state and federal requirements. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Meeting with industry representatives to discuss requirements of NSR/PSD permits.
  • Ensuring project modeling meets all state and federal ambient air quality standards.
  • Coordinating comment reviews from other state and local air agencies and evaluates those comments to determine appropriateness and applicability to permit.
  • Negotiating permit conditions with industry, state, federal and local agencies.
  • Researching and interpreting EPA guidance.
  • Issuing draft and final NSR/PSD permits.

Interesting aspects of this position:
  • This position drafts and does the final review of permit applications for complex projects involving Prevention of Significant Deterioration permitting, including engineering designs, specifications, and plans for air pollution processes and control equipment. Engage with and address expectations of involved managers, staff and permit applicants and their consultants through clear communication, adequate scheduling timelines, and by ensuring project completeness, including supporting response to legal challenges if necessary.
  • This position reviews PSD permit applications, analyzing industrial processes involving major increases in air pollution emissions. The position develops permit conditions in a regulatory process that allows air pollution emissions at levels that protect human health and the environment. The lead engineer position coordinates work assignments within the team and tracks progress.

About the team:

The Science & Engineering Section includes four engineers, two toxicologists, three scientists and three environmental specialists. This is a very diverse group of professionals with responsibilities to provide emissions inventory, modeling, toxicology and conduct air quality permitting for major emission increases and a yearning for technological, scientific and program advancement.
 
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be November 20, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before November 19, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
 
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

A Master's degree with a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, water resources, civil, geotechnical, environmental, 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 two (2) years of experience in environmental engineering. If not currently licensed in Washington, must achieve Professional Engineer license in Washington within six months of employment.

OR

A Bachelor's degree with a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, water resources, civil, geotechnical, environmental, 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 three (3) years of experience in environmental engineering. If not currently licensed in Washington, must achieve Professional Engineer license in Washington within six months of employment.

At least 1 year of the required engineering experience listed above must be in writing air quality permits.

NOTE: Individuals who are interested in applying to this position, and believe they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington based on reciprocity, are responsible for ensuring they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington prior to submitting their application materials. These requirements can be found at the following website: WA State Licensing (DOL) Official Site: How to get your license: Geologists, engineering geologists, or hydrogeologists by reciprocity.

Familiarity with the principles and practices of air pollution control, emission controls system design and operation, and engineering economics. Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and equipment specifications, maps, and various on-line databases on emission control systems.

Excellent written and oral communication skills in order to clearly, tactfully, and effectively communicate conflicting positions and potential solutions, particularly with respect to potentially difficult and sensitive issues with various agencies (federal and State, private companies, and members of the public).

High degree of independence, initiative, and organization to manage efforts of the team and self and to carry work through to completion with little or no supervisory oversight.
Demonstrated ability to simultaneously manage and complete multiple complex projects.


Desired Qualifications: 
 
Thorough knowledge of air pollution control principles and practices and of federal and state air pollution control law and regulations. Knowledge of State Implementation Plans, minor and major New Source Review, nonattainment permitting, and PSD permitting.
  • Ability to understand and run air dispersion models.
  • Strong writing and communication skills.
  • Computer literacy in software typical of discipline is preferred.
  • Experience or education covering basic engineering principles including separation processes, thermodynamics, kinetics, and mass and energy balances.
 
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
  • Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
 
 
Why work for Ecology?

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment.

A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
 
Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details. 

*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information


 
Supplemental Information
 
Application Instructions:

In order to be considered, applicants MUST attach the following documents as an attachment to their application:
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required/desired qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume", may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-6186.


Other Information:

If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Chris Hanlon-Meyer at:
Chris Hanlon-Meyer@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Chris to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.