Wastewater Process Engineer

About the role

The Wastewater Process Engineer is responsible for performing a variety of advanced level professional engineering duties for the City of Wichita’s Wastewater Treatment Division, with emphasis on the Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) treatment processes at three treatment plants. The position involves optimizing, identifying and investigating problems, and developing solutions for complex chemical and biological systems, as well as reviewing wastewater process, quality, and flow data to validate treatment process and operational decisions.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates process technologies, develops and directs testing from jar testing to pilot testing.
• Monitors and analyzes operator reports, energy and chemical usage data, and lab data from the on-site lab and from contracted labs, and establishes the need and plan for collecting additional data as needed.
• Manages the development and implementation of large-scale planning and modeling efforts and complex engineering projects for the Wastewater Treatment division with emphasis on compliance and value engineering; serves as engineering liaison with other PW&U divisions, consultants, and outside agencies.
• Consults with project managers and engineering design firms in selection of new treatment processes, methods, and means of implementation. Oversees selection and management of engineering consultant contractors, and coordinates work with project stakeholders, government agencies, contractors, and consultants.
• Analyzes new or proposed legislation or regulations to determine impact on program operations or ability to achieve permit compliance.
• Performs data control activities; proofreads and reviews process data reports to ensure accuracy of data entered; balances values and makes necessary corrections or adjustments.
• Serves as a resource to other staff, external stakeholders, vendors, and consultants regarding the City’s BNR treatment plant processes.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of wastewater engineering and design, treatment processes, flow monitoring, and their application to a wide variety of treatment facility projects.
• Considerable knowledge of project development, scheduling, and management.
• Understanding of the principles and practices of public administration, legislative and local government operation, budget management, and contract management.
• Understanding of key performance indicators and continuous improvement drivers related to wastewater treatment.
• Understanding of the concepts of risk management, facility resilience, and business continuity.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of data processing, data entry and retrieval techniques, and ability to use engineering computer software applications, wastewater treatment simulation models, and water information management systems (WIMS) platforms.
• Understanding of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to wastewater permits and environmental protection, including the Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
• Ability to read and interpret building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and system control plans with information printed as small as twenty characters per inch.
• Ability to traverse uneven terrain, climb steps or ladders, and tolerate environmental nuisances associated with wastewater environments.
• Must possess manual dexterity to use equipment, see and read printed material with or without vision aids, physical ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds and be able to bend, stoop, walk, and reach overhead.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license.
• Must obtain certification as a Class IV Wastewater operator, issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), within two years of hire.