Engineer 1 (Environmental/Water Quality)

THE POSITION:The Alameda County Water District located in Fremont, CA is seeking to hire an Engineer I (Environmental/Water Quality) to work in the Operations and Maintenance department. Under the supervision of the Water Production Division Engineering Supervisor, this position will perform a variety of professional environmental engineering work in connection with drinking water quality studies, treatment and distribution system operations, water quality regulations, facility improvements, and other related work; assists other engineering disciplines on assigned projects and provides administrative support to District projects and programs.

Engineer I is the entry level in the engineering series. Under close to general supervision within a framework of established policies and procedures, incumbents perform a variety of engineering and administrative tasks of limited to moderate difficulty. Assignments are given in specific terms and are subject to frequent review while in progress and upon completion, except where tasks are well defined by established standards, policies and procedures.

Examples of Duties

Ability to apply engineering principles in the administration and execution of drinking water quality and water treatment and distribution operational projects and programs such as: required regulatory water quality monitoring programs (SWTR/DBPR/LCRR, etc); system and facility operational monitoring, maintenance, and optimization programs; facility outage planning and startup support; assists in the development of design standards and operational performance criteria related to planning, design, construction, and startup of new or improved treatment and distribution facilities.

The primary duties of this position are focused on drinking water quality compliance program management and a variety of operational support functions, and this position can function as a liaison for regulatory agencies.

Knowledge of: Environmental engineering principles, terms, practices and technology related to basic chemistry and laboratory procedures; engineering mathematics through calculus; engineering methods, and design processes; basic statistical principles and methods of analysis; computer programs and languages and engineering applications; pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations; safe work practices as they relate to the position and the ability to identify workplace hazards and/or unsafe conditions and take appropriate action to correct same.

Skill and ability to: Apply engineering principles and practices to the solution of routine professional engineering problems; conduct literature searches and research available sources of information; perform difficult mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy; interpret and prepare drawings, graphs, charts and compilations of numerical data; effectively use job-related computer and software applications to complete assignments; maintain accurate records and prepare a variety of memos, letters and technical reports that are clear and concise; exercise sound judgment in decision making; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work; and perform the essential functions of the job without causing harm to self or others.

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in an engineering curriculum which is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, or a related field:

Engineer I: No work experience required.

Work experience with water quality or drinking water regulatory programs is highly desirable.

Additional Requirements: Must possess a valid California Driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.

Selection Procedure

- Application materials must be submitted online at www.acwd.org no later than 5:00 p.m., on Friday, March 27, 2026. Application materials must include a completed Alameda County Water District Employment application and Supplemental Questionnaire. Incomplete applications will not be given further consideration.

- All applications will be evaluated, and candidates who present the best job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the interview process.

- Employment offers are normally made following conduct of reference checks and are always contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment physical exam, as well as a security background check. Employment is made contingent upon verification of identity and legal right to work in the U.S.A. pursuant to federal law, and the signing of a loyalty oath, pursuant to the state law.

Health Insurance: Coverage is provided through the CalPERS Health program. Under the Cafeteria Plan, employees will receive a flex dollar allowance to purchase healthcare coverage, and qualifying voluntary products.

Dental and Vision: Coverage for the employee and eligible dependents is fully paid by the District.

Retirement: California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) benefit depends on whether the employee is a "new" member or "classic" member under state law.

Classic member: Employee who is a member of PERS or reciprocal agency within six months of hire at ACWD. 2.5% @ 55 with 8% employee contribution. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, Unused Sick Leave Credit, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Final Compensation 1 Year, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Prior Service. The District picks up 2.5% of the CalPERS retirement contribution.

New member: Employees hired after 12/31/12 who were not members of PERS or a reciprocal agency within the last six months of hire at ACWD. 2% @ 62 with 7% employee contribution. Effective 7/1/23 PEPRA employee contributions will increase to 7.75%. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, Final Compensation 3 Years, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Pre-Retirement Option 2W Death Benefit, Prior Service, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Unused Sick Leave Credit.

Social Security/Medicare: The District does not participate in Social Security, but provides a 1.45% matching Medicare contribution.

Retiree Health Benefits: Coverage is provided through the CalPERS Health program. The District's contribution for retiree coverage shall be the PEMHCA minimum contribution as determined by CalPERS on an annual basis. Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for various eligibility and plan details.

Employees hired on or after January 1, 2019 will receive a defined-contribution benefit into a retiree health savings account.

Life Insurance: The District provides you with Basic Life Insurance and Basic AD&D Insurance of one and one half times your annual salary to a maximum of $250,000. There is no cost to employee for this insurance.

Long Term Disability: The District provides you with Long Term Disability Income Insurance of 66 2/3% of monthly earnings with a maximum monthly benefit of $15,000.

Short Term Disability: Coverage is provided through the District for employees working more than 20 hours per week at 66 2/3% of base weekly earnings for the first 12 weeks up to a weekly benefit maximum of $2,350.

Deferred Compensation: The District has two (2) Deferred Compensation Plans in which employees may participate: a. 457 Plan - Allows employees to specify a dollar amount to contribute toward retirement, up to an annual maximum. Employees may begin or stop making contributions to this plan at any time. b. 401(a) Plan - Provides a one (1) time, irrevocable opportunity for employees to contribute a percentage (1% - 20%) of their salary toward retirement, up to an annual maximum. Employees may also irrevocably elect upon enrollment to defer a percentage of vacation or management leave balances (1% - 20%) on an annual basis, and/or to defer a percentage (1% - 100%) of their final compensation. The 401(a) Plan is also designed to accept the District’s matching of employees’ contributions. Beginning April 13, 2025, the District will match Classic Member contributions of up to $2,250 per year in the 401(a) plan. Beginning April 13, 2025, the District will match PEPRA members contributions of up to $6,250 per year in the 401(a) plan, on behalf of the employee. Effective with the calendar year 2030, District matching contributions will be $1,000 for Classic Members and $5,000 for PEPRA Members. The employee must make contributions to the 457 plan to receive the District’s matching contribution.

Vacation: 10 days first year, increasing to 25 days after 20 years.

Holidays: 12 days per year.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year

Management Leave: 80 hours to 96 hours of Management Leave per calendar year (depending on classification). *Beginning in June 2025, MCP employees will be eligible for an additional eight hours of management leave in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday. In future years, the Juneteenth holiday may be added to the list of paid holidays or continue as additional hours of management leave credited for the Juneteenth holiday and will be applied consistently across the District.

Employee Assistance Program: Up to 6 sessions for employees and family members for professional consultation and short-term counseling for personal problems.

Tuition Reimbursement: The District will reimburse 100% of the total tuition and textbook costs incurred in taking courses outside of normal working hours related to District employment up to an annual maximum of $5,250.