About the Department
Responsible for performing a variety of process engineering and regulatory activities related to the implementation of Metro’s Industrial Pretreatment Program. Applies engineering principles, calculations and methodologies and Industrial Pretreatment Program regulations to the following: characterization and permitting of industrial and commercial facilities, for the review and evaluation of monitoring point and treatment process engineering studies and design submittals and in the evaluation of potential impacts of discharges on Metro’s collection system, treatment plant operations, and Metro’s ability to comply with its discharge permits and biosolids land application requirements. May function as a task manager or focus area leader. This position reports to a Principal Pretreatment Process Engineer or the Senior Pretreatment Process Engineering Manager.
Position Duties
- Conduct engineering analysis work and develop recommendations regarding discharge requests, facility characterizations, and significance evaluations - including but not limited to evaluation of industrial users and the potential of discharges to impact Metro’s treatment processes, equipment, worker health and safety, and for consistency with Metro’s Rules and Regulations Governing the Operation, Use, and Services of the System (R&R).
- Conduct review of engineering studies and designs for monitoring facilities and treatment processes and systems at industrial and commercial facilities. Complete all assigned review checklists, memos and other documents in support of review work and conclusions.
- Prepare permits and fact sheets which are defensible from technical and regulatory bases.
- Prepare process calculations, process descriptions, process drawings (PFDs, P&IDs) and general facility drawings.
- Prepare formal approval/denial/request for information (RFI) letters for final supervisory approval and decision.
- Perform site visits of industrial and commercial facilities to gather information in support of technical and regulatory evaluations and in providing technical and compliance assistant to the facilities.
- Perform assigned portions of complex engineering assignments.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data from industrial and commercial facilities and Metro’s wastewater treatment plants and collection systems to support facility characterization, significance assessments, permitting, design reviews and evaluation of special discharge requests.
- Assist with the preparation of reports for state and federal regulatory agencies as well as Metro management.
- Perform sampling activities, complete paperwork, and handle samples as directed.
- Assist in the review and completion of studies, reports, specifications, and drawings prepared by staff and consultants and provide comments/recommendations.
- Assist in the development of technical and regulatory framework procedures, guidance, policies, templates, and business processes for implementation of Metro’s Industrial Pretreatment Program.
- As assigned, stay updated on emerging trends, technologies, industry best practices and stay informed of new and modified regulations and guidance that may impact Metro's Industrial Pretreatment Program implementation.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Intermediate-level knowledge of process engineering principles and fundamentals, including mass and energy balances, fluid mechanics, process controls, biological processes, and chemical reactions and kinetics.
- Conventional and advanced municipal wastewater treatment processes, industrial wastewater treatment processes and compliance monitoring facilities. Conceptual and detailed design, general operations and regulatory compliance requirements and strategies.
- Solid knowledge and understanding of federal and local (e.g. Metro) Pretreatment regulations and policies and the associated implementation through an EPA-approved IPP and regulations.
- Basic knowledge of other Clean Water Act laws, regulations and requirements associated with the National Discharge Pollutant Elimination System (NPDES) Program – direct discharge and storm water.
- IPP Fact Sheet and Permit preparation for technical and regulatory defensibility.
- IPP compliance and enforcement requirements and procedures.
- Process modeling concepts and tools such as MS Excel, BioWin, ChemCad
- Basic principles and practices associated with the engineering evaluation of wastewater and other waste streams generated at industrial and commercial facilities and determination of potential impacts on Metro’s collection system, treatment processes and equipment, worker health and safety and ability to comply with permit and biosolids land application requirements.
- Computer software including Microsoft Office Suite including strong knowledge associated with utilizing MS Excel for complex and comprehensive calculations and MS Word for preparing technical reports, formal agency communications, documents and decisions and regulatory reports.
Skilled at:
- Problem-solving and analytical thinking with the ability to conceptualize and implement creative solutions to complex technical challenges.
- Analyzing relevant industrial facility process data and information to identify potential or anticipated impacts to Metro’s collection system, treatment processes and equipment, worker health and safety and ability to comply with permit and biosolids land application requirements.
- Reading, understanding and applying regulations and policies to industrial and commercial facilities of widely varying sizes, industries and complexity.
- Reviewing and evaluating the adequacy and completeness of engineering designs for industrial wastewater treatment processes and compliance monitoring facilities.
- Communication and interpersonal skills, adept at conveying technical and regulatory concepts to diverse audiences and in de-escalation techniques for situations where discussions may be tense or contentious.
- Active listening and mentoring less experienced process engineering staff.
- Using Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel and Power Point
- Work in the unique role of an engineer who is also a regulator.
- Effectively communicate technical and other information to diverse audiences.
- Effectively apply process engineering principles and concepts and IPP regulations.
- Innovate and think creatively, exploring new ideas and approaches to solve technical and regulatory challenges associated with Metro’s pretreatment engineering work and to support continuous improvement.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- With minimal support or direction from a higher-level pretreatment process engineer:
- Enter manufacturing and other industrial facilities and, through visual observations while onsite and asking process and operational questions of facility staff, develop an understanding of the facilities processes and operations and identify applicable regulatory requirements.
- Using information obtained during site visits to industrial facilities, create accurate and complete process descriptions, process flow diagrams and piping and instrumentation diagrams associated with the facilities operations.
- Prepare permits and fact sheets that are timely, complete, accurate and technically and regulatorily defensible and which require minimal rework following supervisory review.
Bachelor’s degree in chemical, environmental, mechanical, civil or other related engineering discipline from an accredited college or university. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Licensing, Certification and other Requirements
Enrolled as an Engineer Intern (EI) in the State of Colorado or, if registered in another state, must apply for reciprocity in CO.
Other Qualifications
Typical Work Environment
Variety of floor surfaces including concrete, gravel, asphalt, dirt, tile, loose stones, uneven surfaces, slippery surfaces, and wet surfaces; Inside environment; Outside environment all year in all weather conditions and temperatures; Chemicals; Lighting conditions including natural light, fluorescent, head lamps, incandescent, and low light; Vibration; Moving equipment; Work in Confined Spaces
Body Position Demands
Standing; Walking; Climbing stairs; Climbing ladders; Reaching forward and overhead; Balancing; Object handling; Simple hand/ Firm hand grasping; Operating controls; Sitting; Stooping; Kneeling; Crouching; Crawling; Typing; Fine hand coordination
Physical Demands (max forces are expected to be infrequent)
Max Weight Lifted: 42 lbs
Max Weight Carried: 42 lbs
Max Force Pushed: 75 lbs
Max Force Pulled: 128 lbs
Sensory Requirements
Wide field of view; Perception - Spatial; Olfactory (Smelling); Vision - Near; Depth perception; Color discrimination; Perception - Form; Feeling without seeing; Speaking; Vision - near and far; Hearing