Nature of Work This is applied engineering work in the Operation Section of the Division of Water and Sewer. The Operations Section consists of several wastewater plants of various sizes and treatment capabilities and several water plants of various sizes treating either ground or surface water. An employee in this class is responsible for the proper and efficient process control of all such treatment facilities to assure compliance with local, State, and Federal regulations.
Under the general supervision of the Chief of Operations, the Process Engineer applies engineering principles to the operation, maintenance, design, and construction of Operation Section projects and procedures. The Process Engineer, working with the facility superintendents, ensures the implementation of proper engineering principles and practices.
Position in this class requires the incumbent to be available on a shift or on-call basis due to the nature of the operation. Examples of Duties
(The following are examples of the work duties performed by the staff positions in each class. The actual positions may require some or all of these example duties, depending on the work demands within the department. The list is not inclusive. A position may require duties not listed, if necessary, to accomplish the work of the department.)
Performs analyses required to assure proper process control of Harford County Water/Wastewater facilities to stay in compliance and assure an efficient operation.
Calculates the chemical requirements for all facilities, assures proper dosages/techniques are utilized, and oversees the specifications of the chemical supplier contract.
Calculates the most efficient power requirements at all facilities for proper/efficient utilization of resources.
Collects, analyzes, and summarizes process data in spreadsheets, databases, and charts. Prepares reports as requested by the Chief of Operations to explain process performance.
Review and ensure proper process control calculations for the Wastewater facilities; make recommendations to the Chief of Water/Sewer Operations for improving/modifying the procedures for such methods as food to micro-organism ratio, sludge age, MCRT/SRT, Vector/Pathogen reduction, sludge volume index, and organic removal.
Reviews and assures proper process control calculations for the water facilities and makes recommendations to the Chief for improving or modifying the procedures for such methods as disinfection compliance, recycle ratios, filter run times, hydraulic loadings, and pressures.
Review construction plans prepared by consulting engineers to ascertain if plans meet County specifications.
Advises the Chief and Superintendents on difficult problems encountered in the treatment of water or wastewater.
Trains personnel in standard process control and chemical dosage calculations and equipment usage, including safe procedures and MSDS forms.
Assists in the detailed analyses of final designs related to operations matters. May perform complex engineering computations. Provides technical assistance to the Water and Sewer Engineering Section on projects that will impact the Operations Section.
Prepares written specifications for selecting consultants or for construction of operations facilities/equipment.
Analyze cost-benefit options.
Performs required administrative functions; prepares reports and may act as a Project manager for complex operations capital projects.
Interprets Federal, State, and County ordinances and policies for proper process needs.
Designee for the Chief of Operations in process control implementation.
Oversees and manages the process control computer systems and the distribution and collection system SCADA systems. Manages the computer technician who performs the day-to-day maintenance on the systems.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of engineering theory, principles, and practices as applied to the preparation of plans, specifications, design, and construction of a variety of environmental/chemical engineering projects
Knowledge of engineering mathematics and mathematical tables used in environmental engineering work; of water quality management and pollution controls
Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment, hydrology, hydraulics, water chemistry and biology
Skill in interpreting and analyzing engineering designs, plans, and specifications and resolving problems with the same
Ability to review consulting engineer's work for completeness, accuracy, and engineering feasibility
Ability to perform engineering design work involving the analysis, selection, modification, and adaptation of standard engineering practices, methods, and techniques
Ability to prepare technical forms, reports, and other correspondence
Ability to collect and analyze data and compile reference material
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, engineers, and the public
Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time
Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, climb, or sit depending upon work assignment
Ability to drive a County vehicle in carrying out some assignments
Ability to work in the field
Work requires exposure to hazards of construction and environmental conditions
Proficiency in working with spreadsheets is essential; proficiency with databases and computer programming is a plus
Knowledge of the commercially available HMI software and PLC programming is also a plus
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
ABET Accredited B.S. degree in Chemical, Civil, Environmental or Sanitary Engineering AND Three (3) years of responsible field experience as a supervisor/engineer at a major (greater than 1 MGD) water or wastewater treatment facility.
OR
B.S. degree AND Four (4) years as a Chemical, Civil, Environmental or Sanitary Engineer.
OR
ABET Accredited Master's degree in Chemical, Civil, Environmental, or Sanitary Engineering AND One (1) year responsible supervisory (at the Plant Manager level or higher) or lead engineer field experience at a water/wastewater related facility.
LICENSE
Valid Class "D" or Class "C" non-commercial driver's license with no more than three (3) points. Accreditation as at least an Engineer Intern (EI), or Engineer In Training (EIT) by successfully passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and in accordance with State of Maryland requirements; possession of the experience required to qualify for the professional engineering (PE) exam in accordance with state of Maryland requirements; and registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Maryland within one (1) year of appointment to the position.
SAFETY
Must comply with all Federal (OSHA), State of Maryland (MOSH), safety regulations, and applicable Harford County safety policies, procedures, or manual as required for this position.
BENEFITS:
Harford County offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:
Health, Dental & Vision insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation
Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
Generous Leave Package & Paid Holidays
Tuition Reimbursement
Notes Nature of Operation requires:
Selected candidate to be available on a shift or on-call basis
Exposure to hazards of construction and environmental conditions.
FRINGE BENEFITS
(Effective July 1, 2023)
ANNUAL LEAVE - Begin accruing first day of employment and cannot be taken until successful completion of probationary period, EXCESS of 40 DAYS [320 hours] will be deposited into an 106 Premium Reimbursement Account.
0 months - 3 years 1 day per month (12 days per year)
4 years - 9 years 1 ¼ days per month (15 days per year)
10 years - 15 years 1 ¾ days per month (21 days per year)
Over 15 years 2 days per month (24 days per year)
* Please note that leave is prorated according to your status determined by actual hours worked*
SICK LEAVE - Begin accruing first day of employment (UMLIMITED ACCUMULATION)
1 day is allowed after first month of employment
1 ¼ days per month accumulation
PERSONAL LEAVE - For new employees, personal leave is prorated according to schedule below, for the first year only. Any employee on board as of December 31st of each year automatically receives 8 days as of January 1st the following year. (NOTE: Personal Leave may not be taken until successful completion of probationary period; personal leave will be lost if not taken before December 31st of each year.)
1/1 to 1/31 6 days 4/1 to 4/30 3 days
2/1 to 2/28 5 days 5/1 to 5/31 2 days
3/1 to 3/31 4 days 6/1 to 6/30 1 day
7/1 to 12/31 0 days
FAMILY LEAVE - Up to 12 weeks per year
FUNERAL LEAVE - 3 days + 1 day for extended travel
MILITARY LEAVE - 3 weeks per year with no loss in pay for Reserve or National Guard Training, Active Duty and serving during emergencies.
CIVIL LEAVE - No loss in pay while serving Jury Duty.
RETIREMENT - COUNTY EMPLOYEES: State Pension System 7% employee contribution LAW ENFORCEMENT (TO INCLUDE TEMPORARY DEPUTIES): LEOPS 7% Employee Contribution CORRECTIONS: SOPP 9% Employee Contribution
COUNTYFLEX - Provides the employee with a range of health care and other employee benefit options which gives employee the opportunity to design a benefit plan that best meets the employee's needs. Employee may use available credits to purchase the following:
HEALTH INSURANCE - CareFirst Triple Option and BlueChoice Opt-Out Plus Open Access and Kaiser Permanente (all plans include prescription drug coverage)
DENTAL INSURANCE - CareFirst Dental PPO Plus Plan and CareFirst Dental PPO Plan
VISION INSURANCE - Provided through BlueVision Plus
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - Provided through American Fidelity. Employees may fund health and child care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
PRE-TAX - All deductions for health, dental, vision and flexible spending accounts are subject to deductions from paycheck before federal and state taxes are applied.
LIFE INSURANCE -
Provided through MetLife - $50,000 policy - NO COST TO EMPLOYEE
SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE (TERM/WHOLE/UNIVERSAL AND AD&D)
Provided through MetLife.
LONG TERM DISABILITY - Provided through MetLife.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION -
Lincoln Financial Group - Retirement Consultant David Weiland
Phone 410-236-2494 Email- Dave.Weiland@LFG.com
[Customer Service Representative 1-800-234-3500]
RETIREE HEALTH CARE INSURANCE BENEFITS-
Employees hired on or after 7/1/2010 will have an automatic Retirement Health Savings account made available as the primary retiree healthcare benefit. This 105(h) Universal Reimbursement Account will only be able to be accessed upon separation of service and/or retirement whichever applicable. These accounts are employer funded, tax free, & portable with 20 different Nationwide investment options.
These funds are solely for the use of offsetting your premium health care cost, prescriptions, co-pays and deductibles. Upon death funds are made available immediately to the surviving spouse or qualified dependents (as defined by the IRC 152 (a).
DEATH BENEFITS - PAID BY COUNTY
50% of accumulated sick leave
All accumulated annual leave
Personal leave (maximum of 2 days)
$50,000 life insurance
One (1) month's salary
PAID BY RETIREMENT
One year's pay (after 1 year's service) plus employee's contributions refunded with interest.
