Principal Engineer, Regional Wastewater Programs

Summary:
Under the direction of the Water Resources Program Director, COG’s Principal Engineer, Regional Wastewater Programs is COG’s lead professional supporting the Blue Plains 2012 Intermunicipal Agreement (2012 IMA) and all associated committees and subcommittees, as well as lead professional for COG’s regional wastewater programs in coordination with the water resources program senior management team.
Job ID/Number:
DEP-1806
Posted Date:
10/24/2018
Job Location:
WASHINGTON, DC
Position Type:
Full-time
Division:
Department of Environmental Programs
Description:

The Blue Plains 2012 Intermunicipal Agreement (2012 IMA) is a regional agreement among the utilities and local governments that share in the wastewater treatment services provided by the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant.  They include the District of Columbia, DC Water (agency that operates Blue Plains), Fairfax County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). There are other smaller entities that have wastewater treated at Blue Plains but are not formal Parties to the 2012 IMA.

The 2012 IMA documents the commitment by the IMA Parties to:

  • Define the rights and responsibilities of the Parties.
  • Define financial and operational commitments.
  • Allocate capacity at Blue Plains and in the Potomac Interceptor.
  • Share capital and operating & maintenance costs.
  • Cooperate, coordinate and resolve disputes.
  • Support regional growth and development.
  • Protect the Potomac River, the Anacostia River, and the Chesapeake Bay.

COG’s role is set out in the 2012 Intermunicipal Agreement, particularly through Service Agreements with the Blue Plains Leadership Committee governing Secretariat Services to the Blue Plains Parties and COG’s Regional Water Quality Management Program Support.  COG’s Blue Plains program supports the Blue Plains IMA Leadership Committee, Regional Committee and Technical Section to assist and provide impartial support in decision-making at the chief administrative officer, management, and technical levels.  COG has provided support to the Blue Plains IMA parties since the original IMA was executed in 1985.

The Principal Engineer, Regional Wastewater Programs also supports efforts to manage and improve water quality across metropolitan Washington as COG’s lead wastewater management professional within the water resources program.  The focus of the broad regional wastewater management role includes assistance to local government members and affiliated wastewater and drinking water utilities with protecting, restoring, and conserving water resources. The program helps them address the policy and technical implications of state and federal initiatives, particularly related to the Chesapeake Bay Program, that have water quality and water resource implications for the region.

The Principal Engineer, Regional Wastewater Programs reports to COG’s Water Resources Program Director, and coordinates work with the senior management team across the water resources program.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Comprehensive knowledge of wastewater systems (treatment, pumping, conveyance and solids disposal) encompassing design, construction, operation and maintenance; and water quality technologies, methods, principles, and practices.
  • Understanding of the 2012 Blue Plains Intermunicipal Agreement.
  • Experience with drafting, negotiating, and administering provisions of inter-municipal agreements.
  • Ability to impartially provide expert decision support, policy and technical assistance, facilitation assistance and build consensus among senior appointed officials and lead technical professionals on wastewater issues including those directly affecting the parties to the Blue Plains IMA.
  • Knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay Program requirements, including related TMDLs, Watershed Improvement Plans, and other water quality regulatory requirements.
  • Familiarity with geographic information system, database, and related capabilities and functions related to wastewater and water quality planning.
  • Skill at directing project planning studies and focused research activities.
  • Demonstrated ability as a forward-looking strategic thinker with experience in preparation and management of strategic initiatives.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with elected officials, utility management, senior policy officials, and technical staff to secure cooperation of others in executing plans.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, organize, and build capability of departmental staff teams, including development and management of work programs.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex policy and technical issues in an understandable manner based on the audience knowledge and experience.  Audiences may include but not be limited to elected officials, utility management, senior policy officials, technical staff and the general public.

Education and Experience

  • Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related qualitative, technical, planning, or management discipline.
  • At least eight years progressively responsible experience in the development and management of wastewater and related water quality disciplines.
  • Ability to supervise professional staff and direct the work of consultants.
  • Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.

Starting Salary range is $101,814 to $142,540 depending on experience and qualifications.

EEO EMPLOYER

To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter, salary history, and resume to:

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

777 North Capitol Street, NE

Suite 300 – Attention:  OHRM

Washington, DC  20002-4239

Or visit our website at:  www.mwcog.org

Fax:  202-962-3715

Identification/Right to Work

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is committed to compliance with federal and state laws requiring that MWCOG only hires workers who are lawfully entitled to work in the United States (U.S. citizens or nationals and non-citizens with valid work authorization) without discrimination. MWCOG does not sponsor Visas of any type.  All persons employed by Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments are required to comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 by presenting documents to verify identity and authorization to work in the United States.

Acceptable forms of identification are listed by the Department of Homeland Security / U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification

MWCOG is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices.