Process Engineer (Engineer V)

Process Engineer (Engineer V)

Salary

$97,582.37 - $162,638.32 Annually

Location

WASTEWATER TREATMENT DIV, 9399 RICHMOND HWY, LORTON (JP04), VA

Job Type

FT Salary W BN

Job Number

26-00894

Department

DPWES Wastewater Management

Opening Date

06/20/2026

Closing Date

7/3/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

S32

Posting Type

Open to General Public

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Announcement

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus*

Are you energized by complex engineering challenges and the chance to shape the future of sustainable water treatment? Become part of the award-winning team operating one of the most advanced water recycling facilities in the country.

Fairfax County's Wastewater Management Program is a nationally recognized Utility of the Future. Its wastewater treatment plant, the 67 MGD Noman M. Cole Water Recycling Facility, is a multi-year NACWA Platinum Award winning facility, which houses one of the most advanced wastewater treatment processes including primary, secondary and tertiary liquid treatment processes, reclaimed water and sophisticated biosolids management program including incineration.

The plant is seeking an engineer with a passion for the environment to perform engineering support across multiple discipline areas, including regulatory compliance, process support, and project management. This position will work with a variety of disciplines and backgrounds both in the office and in the field.

Primary duties include:

• Performs engineering analysis, daily and long-term process monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization to ensure efficient and compliant operations, and works closely with the operation and maintenance group to implement process recommendation. Conducts research and innovation to improve treatment performance and efficiency;
• Manages regulatory compliance program which includes regulation monitoring, planning and implementing compliance strategies, regulatory reporting and records keeping for various environmental permits including water, biosolids, air and stormwater;
• Supports other engineering functions including facility programs and capital improvement program.

The successful applicant will possess:

• Collaborative relationship building skills: builds trust and works effectively across all levels and disciplines, demonstrating excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Analytical problem-solving skills: applies strong critical thinking to assess complex issues, navigate sensitive situations, and provide sound, well-reasoned guidance.
• Professional presence & productivity: maintains a steady, solutions focused demeanor with sound judgment and discretion, while delivering high quality work quickly and consistently.
• Organizational agility: adapts seamlessly to fast paced, rapidly changing needs with exceptional attention to detail, initiative, accuracy, and follow through

Wastewater Management is part of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES), please visit us here to learn more about us. DPWES is a diverse, nationally accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone. Select here to learn more about DPWES.

Benefits:

• Join Fairfax County, a stable work environment in an organization that values diversity, inclusion, innovation, and a team that focuses on maximizing advancement opportunities.
• Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial wellness. Please review our awesome benefits:

• Benefits
• Retirement

Note: The appointee to this position is subject to emergency callback 24 hours a day/seven days a week (24/7) to respond to snow, flood, and other emergencies requiring division resources.

• A $5,000 signing bonus is available to new county employees hired in the Engineer V position.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from a four-year college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technologies with a bachelors degree in the appropriate engineering or architecture field; plus, five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field, including one year of supervisory experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• A valid drivers license.
• Possession of a valid Virginia Professional Engineer or Architect license.
• Class I Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Wastewater license within 24 months of hire.

An individual who possesses a valid Professional Engineer or Architect license in another state will be granted a temporary exemption to this requirement pending the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers & Landscape Architects decision regarding that individuals application for reciprocity.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, driving record check, and pre-employment medical evaluation to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three or more years of experience ensuring compliance with and knowledge of the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act and associated federal and state regulations as related to wastewater facilities.
• Five or more years of process and/or operational experience and/or knowledge relating to large scale (>35 MGD) advanced wastewater treatment plants.
• Three or more years of process modeling experience.
• Three or more years of project Management experience.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.
• Class I Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Wastewater license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in written form, is crucial for engaging with colleagues and customers through phone calls, or face-to-face meetings. Ability to endure variable and extreme weather conditions such as hot, cold, during rain, noisy environments, etc., and the ability to work around and in contact with raw sewage. Ability to lift/ slide up to 90 lbs. with assistance. Must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment and use other automated technology to input, access and retrieve information from a laptop or desktop. Visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitors such as GIS maps. Must be able to physically negotiate rough terrain on uneven ground such as hills, wooded and marshy areas to make direct observation of work in progress including recognizing unforeseen hazards such as sharp objects, warning signs, slippery surfaces, steep depressions, tripping hazards. Must be able to push, pull, lift, bend, stoop, walk, climb/crouch, crawl, stand and reach to work in demanding and uncomfortable positions for extended durations. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

BONUS ELIGIBILITY:

Positions within this classification that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only. This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.govEEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-JT1

Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click here for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program: Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid

For additional details please visit the Countys benefits webpage.

Non-Merit Positions

• Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage

• Flexible Spending Program

• Deferred Compensation

• Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.

• No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a related degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

Please indicate all major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Engineering
• Architecture
• Environmental engineering
• Civil engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Sanitary / water Resources engineering
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list the discipline of your degree. If this question does not pertain to you or you do not possess a degree, enter "N/A".

05

How many years of full-time equivalent progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine years or more

06

How many years of full-time equivalent supervisory experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five years or more

07

Do you have a valid Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) license from the Commonwealth of Virginia or similar registration from another state and can achieve Virginia registration within one year of the start of employment?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you currently possess a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

09

How many years of experience do you possess ensuring compliance with and knowledge of the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act and associated federal and state regulations as related to wastewater facilities?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine years or more

10

How many years of experience do you possess in process and/or operational experience in relation to large scale (>35 MGD) advanced wastewater treatment plants?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine years or more

11

How many years of experience do you possess in process modeling?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine years or more

12

How many years of project management experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine years or more

13

Do you possess a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Fairfax County

Address 12000 Government Center Pkwy. Suite 270

Fairfax, Virginia, 22035

Phone 703-324-3311

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/fairfaxcounty/default.cfm