Process Engineer

The Position:

Under general supervision or direction, performs a wide variety of complex engineering duties involving domestic water treatment and wastewater treatment, including treatment process management, project management, operational and compliance review, inspection and analysis of plant operations, and implementation of process improvements. Serves as a technical resource and advisor to assigned plant systems, and projects/programs; researches problems and conducts engineering-related studies.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED 

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Process Engineer classification recognizes positions that provide highly specialized, responsible functions related to the District’s treatment plants. The position has administrative responsibility and technical expertise in the area of long and short-range planning of the District’s water and wastewater facilities and over general collection and distribution systems. Incumbents serve as project manager and/or Operations’ technical lead on specified projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides training and mentoring for Operations staff and other District staff on treatment processes and practices. Regularly monitors performance and provides coaching on treatment process improvement and development to Operations staff. 

Identifies opportunities to improve the District’s treatment process management practices, ensuring consistency in methodologies, practices, documentation, and department strategies and priorities.

Develops and performs optimization studies and efforts relating to the physical, chemical, and biological streams in domestic water treatment and wastewater treatment, solids management, and odor control. 

Participates in the creation and implementation of the Operations department policies, plans, and strategies related to facility operations. Monitors, tracks, and documents performance of treatment processes and distribution systems. Utilizes and directs outside consulting resources in the development and application of processes and technologies to achieve and sustain regulatory compliance, process efficiency, quality, and innovation.

Assists Operations staff in troubleshooting process problems to optimize processes. 

Inspects, diagnoses, develops, and executes corrective or improvement plans for treatment processes, including operational and maintenance issues. 

Assists field operations staff in troubleshooting process problems to optimize processes and participates in the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) improvement program by attending design and commissioning meetings and providing written and verbal feedback. 

Serves as a technical resource and advisor on assigned projects, programs, and systems. 

Participates in and leads root cause analysis and incident investigations involving treatment process upsets, failures, and safety incidents. Develops reports/presentations to share learnings.

Monitors and maintains performance programs, reviewing key performance indicators (KPIs) for advanced treatment processes, including but not limited to reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, nanofiltration (NF), and microfiltration (MF) facilities. Uses data to monitor and optimize system performance and progression towards cleaning, service, or replacement setpoints. 

Coordinates with Technical Services/Engineering staff with CIP as assigned by attending design and commissioning meetings, and providing written and verbal feedback as assigned. 

Assists in bi-annual Operations budget preparation for process chemicals, managing service, and chemical contracts. This includes, but is not limited to, preparing a variety of technical reports, and delivering presentations. 

Develops, implements, and maintains a comprehensive and responsive process control program for District facilities. Develops, implements and maintains process control orders for each District treatment facility. Utilizes best and appropriate practices for process control and management of treatment processes. Effectively utilize KPIs, laboratory results, and online monitoring to identify and isolate treatment problems. 

Collaborates with Operations managers and staff regarding the performance of treatment processes. Develops and refines approaches to evaluate and measure system performance, ensuring it meets annual production goals, chemical use targets, regulatory compliance objectives, and overall system resilience.

 

Works across multiple departments to implement organizational improvements, cultural change, and overall process improvements related to treatment systems operation and reliability.

 

Assists in investigating equipment failures to derive understanding, learning, and recommend action to correct and prevent. 

Prepares reports for internal use and presentations to advisory committees, senior staff, and Board of Directors. Provides status reports on maintenance activity and KPIs as needed.

Comply with District safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training. Conduct visual safety inspections and report findings to Safety office as appropriate.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering or a related field. A master’s degree in engineering is highly desirable. 

Experience: Seven (7) years of engineering experience is required, preferably with a public agency. Experience working as a Process Engineer at a medium to large wastewater facility or water treatment facility is highly desirable.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

A valid Class ‘C’ California Driver’s License is required.

A Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of California is desired but not required.

Knowledge of:

• Thorough knowledge of theory, principles, practices, and techniques of science and engineering as they apply to large, complex potable/recycled water systems, either through formal training or related experience.
• Knowledge of water and/or wastewater characteristics and process analysis.

Ability to:

• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of office/field employees and management. Represent the District in a professional manner when dealing with outside professionals and vendors. 
• Ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures, and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple and difficult requests from others.
• Understanding of advanced principles and mathematical reasoning and the ability to successfully apply that knowledge to solve scientific and engineering problems.
• Highly proficient in MS Office suite software and capable of performing advanced spreadsheet and database functions. Proficient with computer scheduling software (e.g., MS Project), geospatial program (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS), and computer-based cost estimating.
• Ability to use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions. 
• Ability to use discretion when handling and disseminating sensitive information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

When working in an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. 

When working in the field, must possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; frequently reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, grasp, and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; to climb and descend ladders; to operate various equipment and tools; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various District sites; and vision to locate utilities and read printed materials. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas. Finger dexterity is needed to operate and repair tools and equipment. Employees must possess the ability to carry, push, pull, and lift materials and objects weighing 50 pounds, and up to 90 pounds with the use of proper equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road/traffic hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants. Employees also work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.