The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is the regional organization of 24 of the Washington area's major local governments and their governing officials, plus area members of the Maryland and Virginia legislatures and the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. COG provides a focus for action on issues of regional concern such as comprehensive transportation planning, air and water quality management plans, environmental monitoring, tracking economic development and population growth and their implications on the region, coordinating public safety programs, and promoting adequate childcare and housing for the region. COG is supported by financial contributions from its participating local governments, federal and state government grants and contracts and through donations from foundations and the private sector. More information on COG may be found at www.mwcog.org.
Position Overview
Under the direction of COG’s Principal Engineer, Regional Wastewater Programs, this position provides professional and technical support to the Blue Plains 2012 Intermunicipal Agreement (2012 IMA) and all associated committees and subcommittees, as well astechnical and professional support for COG’s regional wastewater and water quality programs in coordination with the water resources team.
Summary and Nature of Work
The Blue Plains 2012 Intermunicipal Agreement (2012 IMA) is a regional agreement among the utilities and local governments that share in the wastewater treatment services provided by the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant. They include the District of Columbia, DC Water (agency that operates Blue Plains), Fairfax County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). There are other smaller entities that have wastewater treated at Blue Plains but are not formal Parties to the 2012 IMA.
The 2012 IMA documents the commitment by the IMA Parties to:
· Define the rights and responsibilities of the Parties.
· Define financial and operational commitments.
· Allocate capacity at Blue Plains and in the Potomac Interceptor.
· Share capital and operating & maintenance costs.
· Cooperate, coordinate and resolve disputes.
· Support regional growth and development.
· Protect the Potomac River, the Anacostia River, and the Chesapeake Bay.
COG’s role is set out in the 2012 Intermunicipal Agreement, particularly through Service Agreements with the Blue Plains Leadership Committee governing Secretariat Services to the Blue Plains Parties and COG’s Regional Water Quality Management Program Support. COG’s Blue Plains program supports the Blue Plains IMA Leadership Committee, Regional Committee and Technical Section to assist and provide impartial support in decision-making at the chief administrative officer, management, and technical levels. COG has provided support to the Blue Plains IMA parties since the original IMA was executed in 1985.
This position also supports efforts to manage and improve water quality across the metropolitan Washington region as a member of COG’s water resources program. The focus of the broad regional wastewater management role includes assistance to local government members and affiliated wastewater and drinking water utilities with protecting, restoring, and conserving water resources. The program helps them address the policy and technical implications of state and federal initiatives, particularly related to the Chesapeake Bay Program, that have water quality and water resource implications for the region.
This position reports to the Principal Engineer, Regional Wastewater Programs.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
· Knowledge of wastewater systems (treatment, pumping, conveyance and solids disposal) encompassing design, construction, operation and maintenance; and water quality technologies, methods, principles, and practices.
· Ability to impartially provide expert decision support, policy and technical assistance, facilitation assistance and build consensus among senior appointed officials and lead technical professionals on wastewater issues including those directly affecting the parties to the Blue Plains IMA.
· Knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay Program requirements, including related TMDLs, Watershed Improvement Plans, and other water quality regulatory requirements.
· Familiarity with geographic information system, database, and related capabilities and functions related to wastewater and water quality planning.
· Experience working on project planning studies and focused research activities.
· Demonstrated ability as a forward-looking strategic thinker.
· Demonstrated ability to work effectively with elected officials, utility management, senior policy officials, and technical staff to secure cooperation of others in executing plans.
· Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex policy and technical issues in an understandable manner based on the audience knowledge and experience. Audiences may include but not be limited to elected officials, utility management, senior policy officials, technical staff and the general public.
· Water / wastewater utility experience desirable.
Education and Experience
Grade 06 - $66,422 - $96,512 Entry level with some experience in water resources or related area and possession of a Bachelor's degree in Civil, Sanitary, Environmental or a related Engineering field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A degree in a scientific discipline (biology, chemistry, microbiology, agriculture, environmental science, etc.) and one to two years working experience in water resources or related area will be considered in lieu of an engineering degree. Master's degree is preferred.
Grade 07 - $66,422 - $107,128 One to two years working experience in water resources or related area and possession of a Bachelor's degree in Civil, Sanitary, Environmental or a related Engineering field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A degree in a scientific discipline (biology, chemistry, microbiology, agriculture, environmental science, etc.) and three to four years working experience will be considered in lieu of an engineering degree. Master's degree is preferred.
Identification/Right to Work
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is committed to compliance with federal and state laws requiring that MWCOG only hires workers who are lawfully entitled to work in the United States (U.S. citizens or nationals and non-citizens with valid work authorization) without discrimination. MWCOG does not sponsor Visas of any type. All persons employed by Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments are required to comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 by presenting documents to verify identity and authorization to work in the United States.
Acceptable forms of identification are listed by the Department of Homeland Security / U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
MWCOG is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices.
MWCOG is an EEO EMPLOYER
