The Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is dedicated to safeguarding water quality and public health in the central Puget Sound region. Our primary mission is to provide high-quality treatment to wastewater collected from local sewer agencies. With a workforce of 650 employees and multiple facilities, we serve a population of 1.5 million people. Our goal is to ensure clean water for the present and future generations, preserving the natural beauty of our environment. We are committed to accountability, both to our ratepayers and to operating as a well-managed agency.
The Modeling Group provides cost-effective analyses and predictions of the quality and quantity of water to support capital project planning, design and operating decisions/strategies that affect the protection and improvement of public health and the environment. Our group is an open and supportive group of professionals dedicated to producing high quality products that inform many aspects of WTD. Our work spans a wide range of activities, including calibrating models, analyzing data, collecting field data, evaluating design questions, addressing climate change and sea level rise issues, and solving urban hydrology problems. Modeling works together as a team but also provides individual autonomy and responsibility to complete work tasks. We seek to understand the big picture, encourage innovation, and strive to improve how we do our work. We have a strong work ethic and equally strong belief in a balanced work-life ethic.
Job Duties:
Perform hydrologic and hydraulic modeling for combined and separated sewer systems
Calibrate computer models and perform hydraulic modeling to determine sizing of conveyance and combined sewer overflow facilities
Develop wastewater flow projections to assess future wastewater facility needs.
Perform hydrodynamic, water quality, and/or Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling
Develop data analysis, data management systems, and graphical display programs for computer model input/output and other data sources.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field; Master’s or Ph.D. degree preferred.
An Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certificate or BS plus four years of applicable graduate education or engineering work commensurate with an EIT. The training and/or experience should include a preponderance of sewer, free-surface hydraulics, and/or surface water modeling experience.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to synthesize technical information and communicate in writing and verbally to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals from contractors, elected officials, the general public, and other King County staff. Must play well with others.
Knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, environmental fluid mechanics, open channel flows
Advanced analytical, problem solving and troubleshooting skills.
Skills in conducting research on specific work assignments. Curiosity and growth-mindset.
Knowledge of computer programming methods and ability to develop computer programs.
Skill in analyzing customer business needs
Skill in handling multiple competing priorities, effectively handling a number of detailed projects or tasks simultaneously.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Strong background in numerical wastewater, stormwater, and/or water quality modeling.
Extensive knowledge of environmental fluid mechanics, fate and transport modeling, open channel flow, wastewater treatment processes.
Strong understanding of hydraulics, including unusual or severe situations that may impact facilities or data collection.
Knowledge of pump and pump station hydraulics and control strategies
King County is committed to recovering and reusing the products of the wastewater treatment process. Beneficially recycling the treated water and nutrient-rich biosolids and recovering energy from waste gases increases the efficiency of our wastewater treatment plants, conserves resources, protects the environment, and saves money.