Job Duties
This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Public Water Supply Supervision Grant, for a fiscal year period ending June 30, 2025, but renewable annually. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.
This position will be open until filled.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Office of Drinking Water (ODW), is seeking an Assistant District Engineer (Environmental Engineer) to join the Southeast Virginia Field Office team! This position is located in Norfolk and will assist in ensuring safe drinking water for citizens in the entire Southeast Virginia Field Office service area.
The service area is a mix of rural, suburban, and urban areas. Localities served include the counties of Accomack, Dinwiddie, Gloucester, Greensville, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Northampton, Prince George, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, and York, and the cities of Chesapeake, Colonial Heights, Emporia, Franklin, Hampton, Hopewell, Newport News, Norfolk, Petersburg, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg. There are a variety of sizes and types of waterworks in the service area, including small groundwater systems and large, complex municipal systems with advanced treatment technologies.
Under Section 32.1-167-176 of the Code of Virginia and the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is required to provide safe drinking water regulations. The position will perform sanitary surveys of waterworks, review operating reports, investigate citizen complaints, assist in evaluating engineer design reports, evaluate results of compliance or other sampling, and prepare notices of alleged violation as needed.
Critical duties include:
(1) Conducting inspections and sanitary surveys (comprehensive assessments) of waterworks.
(2) Interpreting federal and state regulations applicable to waterworks owners and operators.
(3) Providing guidance to owners and operators to ensure they achieve compliance with health and safety standards.
(4) Providing assistance to help waterworks return to compliance in cases where they violate the drinking water standards.
(5) Performing evaluations of engineering documents associated with the design and construction of new or expanded waterworks to ensure construction will meet appropriate public health standards.
(6) Training operators in the operation and maintenance of waterworks; and
(7) Providing information about drinking water quality to the general public.
Minimum Qualifications
• Knowledge in biology, microbiology, chemistry, engineering principles and practices sanitary engineering pertaining to drinking water; advanced math, physics, water chemistry, fluid mechanics, hydraulics, hydrology, geology, design of drinking water facilities, and epidemiology
• Engineering knowledge in the water aspects of civil, sanitary, environmental, or chemical engineering.
• Effectively communicate (written/verbal) in English, including addressing the public.
• Demonstrated ability to write and orally present personal communications and technical reports
• Effectively read and interpret law, regulations, policies, and technical documents.
Additional Considerations
• Experience in design or operation of waterworks treatment and/or distribution systems.
Special Instructions
Contact Information
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In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter.