Water & Wastewater Designer (Entry-Level)

For the past 60 years, DOWL has thrived as an established, highly reputable, professional services consulting firm, recognizing that the foundation of our past, present, and future is our people. DOWL’s foundation is built upon four core values: Inclusion, Integrity, Innovation, and Inspiration. These values are rooted in everything we do. As a valued partner in our Water & Environmental Services Practice Area, you will be one of the People Who Make It Happen!

DOWL is seeking an enthusiastic Water & Wastewater Designer to join our Water Supply and Wastewater group. DOWL’s team provides a wide range of services including water supply development, design of water distribution systems, storage tanks, pump stations, sanitary sewer collection systems and lift stations, as well as water and wastewater treatment processes. Our projects and clients span the western United States from Alaska to Arizona and from Montana to Washington. If you are interested in working cross culturally to assist in providing services that address basic human needs, DOWL will be a great fit for you. The position will involve a wide range of responsibilities and work assignments, including both office and field work.

Summary

The Water & Wastewater Designer provides entry-level assistance with the planning and design of water and wastewater systems including pipelines, pump stations, storage facilities, and other water-related facilities. Duties include assisting with site visits, calculating pressure, flow and capacities, designing underground and above-ground piping systems, selecting and specifying equipment, coordinating with government agencies and other stakeholders, and preparing plans, specifications and estimated costs for project bidding and construction. The person in this position is expected to exercise a strong work ethic, a desire to learn new design concepts, and have good organizational and communication skills. A Water & Wastewater Designer 1 should demonstrate basic proficiency with drafting and design software and be able to quickly learn and apply 2D and 3D design concepts. This person is expected to work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism, and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary. This position works under the guidance of a licensed professional engineer.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Basic
• Market Sector Software (C3D/P3D/GIS/WaterCAD) - Basic

Technical Expertise

• Basic understanding of technical fundamentals
• Performs basic technical tasks assigned by market sector with oversight from others
• Motivated to learn new technical skills through self-study and mentoring

Teamwork

Team player who mostly functions in a supporting role in a project team setting. Collaborates, listens, takes direction well, and retains information provided. Is motivated to grow skills and help the team.

Project Delivery

Produces the following under close oversight from others:

• Basic water and sewer pipeline evaluation and design
• Field data collection
• Water and sewer infrastructure sizing
• Basic hydraulic calculations
• Project layout
• Technical memoranda
• CAD/GIS drawings
• Standard details
• Report figures
• Alternatives/economic analysis
• Quantity takeoffs
• Cost estimating
• Draft specifications
• Limited construction inspection assistance

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Basic understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Collaborates with supervisor and/or resource manager to plan work time on assignments. Conducts basic monitoring of budget and schedule for simple project tasks assigned.

Industry Standards and Regulations

Demonstrates basic familiarity with the following design codes:

• Governing state water/WW rules
• AWWA standards (water)
• Uniform Fire Code
• NFPA820 Fire Code for WW Facilities
• 10 state standards

Client Interaction

Infrequent direct client interaction. Reads emails, occasionally attends client meetings, listens, and prepares meeting minutes.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Performs basic levels of technical work on projects in support of more experienced staff within the market sector. Operates with minimal autonomy – work is closely supervised by more senior staff.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Years of experience required: none
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: none

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• EIT/EI required (within 6 months of hire)
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Geographic location is taken into consideration for compensation.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)