-
Job Description
JOB POSTING
THE SANITATION DISTRICTS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
invites applications for the position of:
Research Engineer
CM-270-24E
(Engineering Associate II - Civil Engineer)
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.
Engineers are involved in all phases of our work, from conception to operation. Almost all engineering is performed in-house, and engineers are encouraged to consider internal transfer opportunities to promote professional growth. The most qualified applicants will have superior technical writing and communication skills, analytical skills and project management skills.
Initial salary placement will be based on the selected candidate's qualifications.
TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WASTEWATER RESEARCH SECTION
Depending on the needs of the Research Section, the incumbent(s) may be assigned to either the AK Warren Facility in Carson, CA or the Joint Administration Office in Whittier, CA.
JOB SUMMARY:
Engineers in the Wastewater Research Section work on projects related to wastewater treatment, solid waste management, and composting. Projects may involve developing or testing novel treatment concepts, processes or equipment that may have potential applications at Districts' facilities; identifying areas where treatment processes or operations could be optimized; and performing testing to support compliance with existing or proposed regulatory requirements. The work involves regular interaction with other departments and sections including Treatment Plant Operations, Solid Waste Operations and Energy Recovery, Engineering Design, Air Quality Engineering, Reuse and Compliance and Laboratories. This position will provide the incumbent with opportunities to develop project management and team building skills and to gain valuable field experience through project work. Engineers manage all aspects of research projects, including literature review, background research investigations, study plan preparation, bench and pilot system design, construction and operation, coordination with the Districts' laboratories, data analysis, report preparation, presentation of progress and results both internally and at local and national conferences, and related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must possess a valid California Class C driver license -AND- Option A : A bachelor's degree and master's degree both in a pertinent engineering discipline from an accredited and recognized college or university; Option B: 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 C : Two years of professional engineering experience subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of two years of relevant professional applied research experience subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university, a master's degree or PhD with environmental emphasis in a pertinent engineering discipline and experience in conducting and documenting applied research in accordance with engineering research principles; high level of experimental design and analytical skills to develop robust test plans, carry out the plans, make appropriate adjustments, and apply rigorous and defensible data analysis to arrive at scientifically and technically sound conclusions; sound verbal and written communication skills; and in-depth knowledge of wastewater treatment processes and process control.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SELECTION PROCESS:
The assessment for this selection process will consist of an Oral Interview weighted at 100%. As part of the Oral Interview process, a Research writing project/prompt will be administered and scored as part of the Oral Interview and will be assessed based on technical breadth and knowledge as well as, written communication skills including spelling, grammar, conciseness, clarity and syntax.
This posting will remain open until the vacancy is filled and is subject to closure without notice.
To be considered, please complete an LACSD Employment Application at www.lacsd.org . You may attach your resume to your online application, but not in lieu of a completed application. Applicants with the most desirable qualifications will be invited to an interview.
As an equal opportunity employer, the Districts strongly encourage people with disabilities and people from historically marginalized communities to apply.
RETIREMENT
- CALPERS: The Districts belong to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), and all monthly status new hires will be enrolled in CalPERS. Most new hires will be enrolled in the defined benefit formula of 2% @ 62 in accordance with the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and are required to contribute to the plan (7.75% for the 23/24 fiscal year; Those who qualify based on current or previous public service may be enrolled in the defined benefit formula in place on December 31, 2012, which was 2% @ 55 and are considered “classic” members. For “classic” members, the Districts pay the “employee share.” Please contact the Human Resources Department for more information regarding contribution rates. Although Districts employees are exempt from Social Security, employees are required by federal law to contribute a percentage of their salary for Medicare coverage.
- DEFERRED COMP MATCH: The Districts provides a matching contribution to an eligible deferred compensation plan pursuant to Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code. The match with each paycheck will be the lesser of: 3% of the employee's base monthly salary as listed in the Salary Schedule; and the amount the employee is contributing with that paycheck. The annual total combined employee and employer contribution are subject to IRS limits.
COMPENSATION & PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Employees receive annual salary increases until reaching step 5 of the salary range and are provided with opportunities to promote. Cost of living adjustments are implemented annually in accordance with labor agreements.
Job classifications are compensated on a 5-step salary range. New employees may receive a 5.5% step increase after successfully completing a 6-month probationary period and yearly thereafter until step 5 is reached. The Districts' typically promote qualified internal applicants before considering outside candidates. For engineering professionals, there are three levels of Engineering Associate (EA) and administrative promotion is possible to an EA II or EA III level after an engineer completes 2 years as an EA I or EA II respectively. Engineers are eligible for administrative promotion to the Civil Engineer level when they obtain registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California and have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and 6 years of professional engineering experience, a master's degree from an accredited university and 3 years of professional engineering experience, or a PhD and 2 years of professional engineering experience. An employee with four years of experience at the Civil Engineer level may apply to compete for promotion to Senior Engineer. Promotions to the Senior Engineer level are made depending upon the needs of the Districts. Supervising Engineer positions are filled through a competitive selection process. Management level positions may also be filled through a competitive selection process, or by appointment by the Chief Engineer and General Manager.
HEALTH INSURANCE- MEDICAL: Districts paid. Employees may choose from several HMO and Indemnity plans. As of January 1, 2024, the Districts contribute $2,202.87 per month for medical insurance. Depending on the choice of health plan, the Districts contribution covers all or a large portion of the premium for family coverage.
- DENTAL: Districts paid. The Districts pay the full premium for employee and dependent coverage for a prepaid dental program which provides for most routine dental care through a panel of contracting dentists with no deductibles. Employees are eligible to enroll in an indemnity plan if requested within thirty days after completion of three years of employment (sooner for some bargaining units), or during subsequent open enrollment periods.
- VISION: Employee paid.
- LIFE: The Districts pay for a term life policy. Employees can buy additional types and amounts of life insurance coverage at group rates.
- VACATION: Employees receive 88 hours of paid vacation after one full year of service, increasing up to 128 hours per year after five years, 168 hours per year after 15 years and up to 208 hours after 25 years. Prior to one year of full service, employees are given partial vacation time on January 1, based on the time worked in the preceding year.
- SICK LEAVE : Eight hours of full-pay sick leave per month.
- PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees may use up to 40 hours per calendar year from current sick leave for personal reasons.
13 paid holidays and one-half paid holiday depending on the employee's work schedule.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
Employees may be eligible for tuition reimbursement for approved accredited course work.
STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT REIMBURSEMENT
For some bargaining units, the Districts will provide student loan payment reimbursements for principal or interest paid by the employee on a qualified education loan incurred by the employee for the education of the employee. The annual maximum reimbursement is $5,250 and the lifetime reimbursement limit is $21,000.
ENGINEERING TRANSFER PROGRAM
Engineers can participate in a voluntary transfer program to gain experience in various engineering sections. Transfers are made whenever vacancies and qualifications match. An engineer may apply for transfer after they have served in their assignment for 2 years.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & OTHER BENEFITS- A rewarding career contributing to society and the environment.
- Flexible work schedules (e.g. 9/80 schedule) depending on the worksite.
- Clear policies and procedures.
- Health and safety programs.
- Carpool opportunities with monetary incentives depending on the worksite.
NOTE: The provisions of this posting do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this posting may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
Updated December 29, 2023 -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
-
-
Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts
Show moreOUR 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 about 5.5 million people in Los Angeles County. The service area covers approximately 824 square miles and encompasses 78 cities and unincorporated territory within the county.
GETTING THE JOB DONE
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 and industrial wastewater. Individual districts operate and maintain the district-owned collection systems. Cities and unincorporated areas within a 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 Board of Supervisors for unincorporated territory. Each Sanitation District pays its proportionate share of joint administrative costs
-