Environmental Engineer

The incumbent will perform engineering work related to wastewater management and/or solid waste management in areas such as: design, recycled water research and production, energy recovery, stormwater management, operations, water and air quality, project management, planning, construction and source control.

The most qualified applicants will have superior technical writing and communication skills, analytical skills and project management skills.  It is desirable that applicants have the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with multiple departments and sections within the Sanitation Districts. 

Engineers are involved in all phases of our work, from conception to operation. Almost all engineering is performed in-house. Our engineering positions offer challenge and diversity as well as internal transfer opportunities to promote professional growth.

OUR MISSION

The Sanitation Districts protect public health and the environment through innovative and cost-effective wastewater and solid waste management, and in doing so convert waste into resources such as recycled water, energy and recycled materials.
 
ORGANIZATION

The Sanitation Districts function on a regional scale and consist of 24 independent special districts serving approximately 5.6 million people in Los Angeles County, a population larger than that of 30 states in the United States. The service area covers approximately 824 square miles and encompasses 78 cities and unincorporated territory within the county.

The Sanitation Districts were created in 1923 when a significant number of cities were forming and it was clear that managing wastewater on a regional scale made sense. The Sanitation Districts' purpose was to construct, operate, and maintain facilities that collect, treat, recycle, and dispose of domestic, commercial and industrial wastewater. Individual districts operate and maintain the District-owned collection systems. Cities and unincorporated areas within the district are responsible for their smaller local collection systems.

Cities and unincorporated parts of the county are also responsible for the collection of solid waste. In the 1950s, it became apparent that solid waste management would benefit from a regional approach. At that time, the Sanitation Districts were given the responsibility to provide for the management of collected solid waste, including disposal and transfer operations, and materials and energy recovery.

To maximize efficiency and reduce costs, the 24 Sanitation Districts work cooperatively under a Joint Administration Agreement with one administrative staff headquartered near the City of Whittier. Each Sanitation District has a Board of Directors, consisting of the mayor of each city and the Chair of the County Board of Supervisors for unincorporated territory. Each Sanitation District pays its proportionate share of joint administrative costs.

Approximately 1,400 miles of sewers, 47 active pumping plants, and 11 wastewater treatment plants convey and treat over half the wastewater in Los Angeles County. The Sanitation Districts' solid waste management sites similarly provide about one-fourth of the countywide solid waste management needs. The Sanitation Districts operate two sanitary landfills, two landfill energy recovery facilities, one recycle center, and three materials recovery/transfer facilities, and participate in the operation of two refuse-to-energy facilities.

CONVERTING WASTE TO RESOURCES

The Sanitation Districts are innovators in the production of green energy and water recycling. Approximately 100 megawatts of electricity, enough to supply the needs of about 100,000 homes, are created in the Sanitation Districts' wastewater and solid waste operations. Approximately 100,000 acre-feet of recycled water are typically used each year at more than 860 sites throughout the county. Uses of recycled water include industrial, commercial, and recreational applications; groundwater recharge; and agricultural, landscape, park, and golf course irrigation. Today, the Sanitation Districts are one of the top producers of beneficially reused recycled water in the United States.

BUDGET

Overall wastewater and solid waste management budgets for 2016-17 were $609 million and $133 million, respectively. Both systems provide essential public services at some of the most competitive service charges in the country.

Applicants must possess:

 
NOTE: All degrees must be either from an accredited college or university in the United States; -OR- if a degree was obtained from a foreign college or university, it must be evaluated through a credential evaluation service at the applicant's expense. 

Engineering opportunities in other disciplines may occur in the future.  Please use the online job interest card system to be notified of future Engineering opportunities. 

Application Process:

Only online applications that include a resume and cover letter will be accepted. Please make sure to attach your resume and cover letter before submitting your online application. Resumes will not be accepted in place of a completed application.  Completed applications may be retained and considered for future vacancies. 

The best qualified applicants will be invited to an initial screening interview and will be provided with an interview date/time.  Interviews will be conducted via an online video conference at the designated time.  Applicants that are invited for an interview are expected to have the ability to be interviewed through their personal device (e.g. computer, tablet, mobile phone).  Applications will be accepted until positions are filled; however, the first review of applications will take place on Monday, February 5, 2018.