Overview
Environmental Engineer 5
Office of Drinking Water
Permanent · Full-time · Homebased
Join the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) in advancing our mission to protect and improve the health of people in Washington State. This position plays a key leadership role within the Division of Environmental Public Health (EPH), specifically in the Office of Drinking Water (ODW), an office dedicated to ensuring safe, reliable drinking water for all communities.
As a supervisor, you will lead and mentor a team of engineers who work closely with water systems, utilities, local health jurisdictions, consultants, and the public to ensure the safety, sustainability, and resilience of drinking water. Your work will have a direct impact on water system management, infrastructure, and emergency preparedness across the state.
Key Responsibilities:
Supervise and mentor up to 10 engineering staff, fostering a cohesive and collaborative team environment.
Hire, train, and coach new engineers while developing staff expertise through ongoing feedback and professional development.
Serve as a technical resource for drinking water engineering programs, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of regulations and best practices.
Promote and ensure consistency among engineers statewide through review of and feedback on work products and work processes, and development of appropriate individual training plans.
Provide professional engineering oversight for Engineers-in-Training (EITs), including work review and co-signing of technical correspondence.
Represent engineering interests and perspective by serving on Engineering, Planning, and Inspections Section and Extended Management Team and other internal workgroups and provide written comments and input during the development of Office Program Plans and other policy documents created by the Office of Drinking Water.
Coordinate water system regulation and office’s emergency response, technical assistance activities across the ODW by ensuring cross-office collaboration and communication.
Respond to drinking water emergencies and ensure all water systems meet their responsibility for protection of their consumers’ health when facing an emergency or a situation that could have high health risks.
You’ll be expected to lead by example—modeling the department’s values of equity, innovation, and engagement. The role requires strong organizational, communication, and decision-making skills to manage complex projects, guide staff development, and respond effectively to drinking water emergencies.
This position offers the opportunity to shape the future of Washington’s drinking water systems through leadership, innovation, and mentorship. You’ll make a measurable difference in protecting public health while supporting a team of dedicated professionals in an inclusive and collaborative work environment.
Location and Flexibility
We value work-life balance and offer the convenience of remote work with occasional in-person collaboration opportunities. Attending events or working In-office is rarely required and would be scheduled in advance. This is a remote/home-based position available to applicants residing anywhere in Washington State, as well as those living near the Oregon/Washington border and the Idaho/Washington border.
