Senior Engineer, Grade 27

Please note: The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $93,653.00 to $146,246.00, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.  

WHO WE ARE

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is a nationally recognized and award-winning agency with the mission to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County's air, water, and land in a sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and industry-leading way while fostering smart growth, a thriving, more sustainable economy, and healthy communities.  DEP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. DEP encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking a highly skilled Senior Engineer, Grade 27, to support operations at the County’s Resource Recovery Facility (RRF) in Dickerson, Maryland, and associated solid waste management programs. This is a technical, non-supervisory engineering role requiring strong analytical skills, contract management experience, and the ability to interpret and apply engineering principles within complex solid waste infrastructure systems.

The successful candidate will have the following experience, knowledge, and skills:

• Considerable experience as a project manager in civil, chemical, electrical, environmental, industrial, mechanical, or systems engineering. 
• Knowledge of contract administration principles, including scope development, proposal evaluation, contractor oversight, and invoice review.
• Ability to independently conduct field investigations at industrial and solid waste facilities under conditions of moderate discomfort and risk. 
• Ability to interpret and apply engineering and regulatory requirements related to solid waste, waste-to-energy operations, landfill permitting, and environmental compliance.
• Strong analytical capability using engineering models and complex tracking spreadsheets for materials flow, operational costs, and project forecasting. 

The Senior Engineer plays a critical role in ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of Montgomery County’s Resource Recovery Facility (RRF) and related solid waste systems. In this role, you will provide technical expertise, contract oversight, operations coordination, and engineering analysis for several major facility programs.

Key duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Managing and monitoring the RRF program budget, including operations for RRF, Transfer Station, Out of County Haul (OOCH), rail transport of yard trim, and diesel fuel management. 
• Reviewing, reconciling, and tracking monthly contractor invoices and purchase order balances.
• Serving as contract manager for the Ash Transportation and Disposal Contract.
• Acting as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for RRF-related legal agreements, including the Service Agreement, Waste Disposal Agreement, and Facility Site Agreement.
• Coordinating compliance with County, State, and Federal regulations, and working with third-party engineering consultants on inspection reviews.
• Supporting Site 2 Landfill permit renewal, inspections, compliance documentation, and related property management activities.
• Performing engineering field work, attending monthly operations meetings, DAFIG quarterly meetings, insurance inspections, and technical review sessions.
• Preparing reports, technical analyses, and recommendations for senior leadership. 

Please read the following information regarding this position:

• This position involves field investigations at industrial sites, waste-to-energy facilities, and landfill properties. Work may include walking over uneven terrain, exposure to dirt, grease, noise, odors, weather conditions, and other moderate risks.

• This position requires possession of a valid driver's license and the ability to drive a county vehicle to visit the Resource Recovery Facility (RRF) and related solid waste sites, many of which are not accessible by public transportation. These field visits may include the RRF water intake facility, Site 2 landfill properties, the Transfer Station, and other Department of Environmental Protection operational locations.

• Work Schedule: This position may require occasional evening and weekend hours based on program needs.

• To ensure a positive workplace and to comply with federal, state, and county laws, the incumbent is responsible for completing mandatory training within the first three to six months or within the specified timeframe.

Experience: Considerable (five (5) years) experience as a project manager in civil, chemical, electrical, environmental, industrial, mechanical, or systems engineering

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in engineering, or a related discipline appropriate to the assigned position.

• Registration as a Professional Engineer may substitute for the degree.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, provided such combination includes at least sixty (60) accredited semester hours (or an equivalent amount of accredited professional training) in engineering or related courses appropriate to the assigned position.

License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant's state of residence.

Medical Protocol: This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form to assess your ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role.

All Applicants will be reviewed by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) for minimum qualifications.  Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated “Qualified,” placed on the Referred List, and may be considered for an interview.  Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following:

1. Experience applying engineering principles to administrative, technical, and field problems.

2. Experience with procurement solicitations, scopes of work, pricing forms, proposal evaluations, and contract management.

3. Experience managing programs and contracts over $5 million, including budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, inspections, progress reporting, and invoice review.

4. Knowledge of environmental regulations related to solid waste, recycling, hazardous waste, leachate, industrial discharge, emissions, stormwater, and erosion and sediment control.

5. Knowledge of safety requirements for industrial sites, construction areas, and waste/recycling management facilities 

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.