Engineer IV

About the role

This position works within the Wastewater Collection Division's Engineering Services Branch serving as a project engineer responsible for planning, designing, and delivering wastewater collection capital projects. The Engineer IV manages projects from initial scope development through design, construction, and closeout while providing technical guidance and coordinating with operations, asset management, consultants, contractors, and other county divisions.

Responsibilities

• Engineers, plans, develops, and implements wastewater collection capital projects, including pump stations, force mains, and gravity sewers.
• Provides technical guidance and project management for wastewater capital projects.
• Coordinates with the Asset Management Team, WCD operations and maintenance staff, and other branches within DPWES to perform engineering analysis and capital planning.
• Directly manages collection system studies, evaluations, assessments, and design projects.
• In the event of emergency failures, may participate and/or lead efforts to identify a solution for the failure.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to: Graduation from a four-year college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technologies with a bachelor's degree in the appropriate engineering or architectural field; plus, four years of progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field.

Certificates and Licenses Required

• A valid driver's license.
• Possession of a valid Virginia Professional Engineer or Architect license. An individual who possesses a valid Professional Engineer or Architect license in another state will be granted a temporary exemption pending the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers & Landscape Architects decision regarding reciprocity. If licensed in another state, the selected candidate must obtain a Virginia PE or RA license through reciprocity within twelve (12) months of the award letter date as a condition of employment.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The appointee will be required to complete a criminal background and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four (4) years of experience working on wastewater collection system projects.
• Four (4) years of experience in engineering planning and design.
• Four (4) years of project management experience.
• One (1) year of experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• One (1) year of experience in construction management.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in written form, for phone calls, video conferences, and face-to-face meetings.
• Ability to drive county vehicle to jobsites for field investigations and to various locations for administrative meetings.
• Ability to lift up to 15 lbs. for filing, document organization, or project-related activities.
• Ability to perform field inspections/investigations on sanitary sewer system projects.
• Ability to travel to various locations throughout Fairfax County for coverage, meetings, and trainings.
• Physically and mentally able to use all applicable personal protective equipment in an outdoor environment (hardhat, eye protection, hearing protection, safety footwear).
• Position is generally sedentary but requires ability to stoop, bend, and reach.
• Visual acuity required for computer monitors, document review, and reading text/data for prolonged durations.
• Ability to operate keyboard-driven devices to input, access, and retrieve information from a computer.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Benefits

Fairfax County Government offers comprehensive benefits and retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Through the LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, the county cultivates a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates, and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices promoting a holistic approach to physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and financial wellness.

Work Conditions

• Designated as emergency service: subject to 24-hour on-call and may be required to report during extreme inclement weather or other emergencies, including after-hours and weekend work during emergency incidents.
• In 2026, all Wastewater Collection Division assignments will be permanently located at the new Water Resources and Infrastructure building, 6000 Freds Oak Road, Burke, VA 22015.
• Position may require traveling to multiple Fairfax County sites.

Additional Information

• A $5,000 signing bonus is available to new county employees hired in the Engineer IV position.
• This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions.
• Selection procedure: panel interview and may include exercise.
• Positions within this classification that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only, requiring a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.
• Fairfax County encourages candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply.
• Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status. Reasonable accommodations are available during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act (TTY 703-222-7314).