Solid Waste Project Engineer Job at Government Jobs in Whittier

Solid Waste Project Engineer

Build a career where your engineering work truly matters. As a Solid Waste Project Engineer with the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, you'll play a key role in protecting public health and the environment while supporting innovative waste-to-resource operations. This position offers the opportunity to work on complex, large-scale public infrastructure projects with real community impactproviding engineering support for regulatory compliance, environmental control systems, and operational improvements. You'll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, site personnel, and regulatory agencies, all while enjoying competitive pay, public-sector stability, and clear career pathways for growth.

Why this job is different: This is not a traditional desk-only engineering role. You'll be embedded in active field operations, where your solutions move beyond plans and reports and are implemented in real time. You'll work side-by-side with operators and crafts, tackle challenging regulatory and operational issues, and see the direct results of your work every day. Few engineering positions offer this level of hands-on responsibility, visibility, and long-term impact. If you're seeking purpose-driven engineering, professional growth, and the satisfaction of solving real-world problems, this is an opportunity you don't want to miss.

Location: Solid Waste Department, Operations and Engineering Section, Puente Hills Field Office (PHFO)

Note: Evening/night and weekend work (comp time/OT) is sometimes required, particularly during rain events.

Job Summary:

The major job responsibilities are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the job description.

Under the general supervision of a Supervising Engineer, the incumbent will:

• Provide technical support including engineering for regulatory compliance
• Develop and recommend engineering solutions for various projects
• Interact with various departments, sections, regulatory agencies and the public
• Perform other duties related to ensuring the sites are in compliance with permits and regulatory requirements
• Oversee environmental control systems
• Interact with site personnel and crafts to facilitate current and/or proposed projects. Sample duties include:
• Administering contracts related to maintenance, agreements, services and supplies
• Budget analysis for tracking of expenses
• Conducting studies related to environmental control systems

The current vacancy may be filled at any of the following levels:

• Engineering Associate II, III: The work performed in these classes are normally a prerequisite to qualify for the Professional Engineer (PE) licensure examinations.
• Engineer: This level differs from the Engineering Associate level classes by requiring a Professional Engineer (PE) license, handling more complex engineering assignments, and demonstrating a higher level of proficiency.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must possess all of the following:

• A valid California Class C driver license

-AND-

Engineering Associate II Level:

• Option 1: A bachelor's degree and master's degree both in a pertinent engineering discipline from an accredited and recognized college or university
• Option 2: A bachelor's degree from an accredited and recognized college or university in a related science with an Engineer-In-Training Certificate and a master's degree from an accredited and recognized college or university in a pertinent engineering discipline
• Option 3: Two (2) years of professional engineering experience subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university

Engineering Associate III Level:

• Option 1: Two (2) years of experience as an Engineering Associate II
• Option 2: Four (4) years of professional engineering experience subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university

Engineer Level:

• Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Engineer with the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
• AND:
• Option 1: Six (6) years of professional engineering experience subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university
• Option 2: A master's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university -AND- Three (3) years of professional engineering experience
• Option 3: A PhD in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university -AND- two (2) years of professional engineering experience

Desirable Qualifications:

• Professional engineering experience working at or in support of solid waste, environmental, or utility facilities, such as landfills, transfer stations, material recovery facilities, or similar operations
• Professional engineering experience in operational or field-based environments, including coordination with site personnel, operations staff, or craft workers

Examples of Assessment Criteria

The competitive selection process for ALL LEVELS may include:

• Knowledge of: complex professional engineering theory and practices, concepts and practices of physics, chemistry and higher mathematics used in professional engineering work, hydraulics, engineering mechanics and stress analysis, strength, properties and uses of engineering construction materials, complex engineering construction projects, chemistry, bacteriology and environmental engineering principles, complex investigation, research and survey methods, large-scale public project financing methods, project management methods, principles of administration, economics, organization, training and project leadership
• Ability to: design complex projects in technical fields of engineering, analyze large-scale, complex engineering problems and develop appropriate solutions, prepare, review, check or interpret engineering plans and specifications, apply appropriate engineering principles, plan, organize and monitor the effectiveness of the work of operations, repair, maintenance and engineering staff, consultants and vendors, coordinate and administer complex engineering projects, interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, establish and maintain effective working relationships with Districts staff, the public, consultants, and vendors, negotiate on behalf of the Districts, prepare and coordinate the development of comprehensive reports

Additional Information

Note: This posting will remain open until vacancy is filled and is subject to closure without notice.

Selection Process:

• All applications will be reviewed to determine if the conditions and qualifications for testing are met.
• The selection process will consist of an interview weighted at 100% and will be the same for all qualified applicants.
• The initial review of applications is expected to begin January 13.

To Apply:

Please apply online at

governmentjobs.com

within this application period. By using the online application system, you will receive confirmation via e-mail that your application was received for this position. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed LACSD Employment Application or online application. Check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as notifications may be sent via e-mail. Please verify that your registered email address is accurate and current. To ensure proper delivery, add info@governmentjobs.com to your contact list.

Notes:

• The individual(s) recommended for hire must undergo a job-related reference check, DMV report, and a drug test.
• Candidates who have completed their required college or university coursework outside the United States must provide a comprehensive evaluation of their foreign transcripts and degrees upon selection for this position.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Brandi Reyes at BrandiReyes@lacsd.org. As an equal opportunity employer, the Districts strongly encourage people with disabilities and people from historically marginalized communities to apply.

To learn more about how the Sanitation Districts converts waste into resources, please visit the following video: Converting Waste into Resources.