Project Engineer- Energy Recovery - Electrical/Control Systems
Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts Whittier, California, United States
- Location: Whittier, California, United States
- Categories: Construction and Skilled Trades, Engineering, Utilities
- Job Type: Full Time
- Posted: May 20, 2025
Job Description:
Project Engineer- Energy Recovery - Electrical/Control Systems
Description
JOB POSTINGTHE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS
invites applications for the position of:
Energy Recovery (Electrical/Control System) Engineer/Engineering Associate II, III
POSTING #BR-096-25E
Are you ready to play a critical role in advancing energy recovery and sustainability at one of Southern California’s largest public agencies? The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts are seeking a skilled and motivated Project Engineer to support the electrical and instrumentation needs of our solid waste facilities and power generation systems. In this dynamic role, you will manage energy portfolios, design power and control systems, oversee procurement contracts, and coordinate with external agencies and service providers. You’ll also contribute to major capital improvement projects through functional testing, commissioning, and cross-agency collaboration. Candidates with advanced SCADA programming, HMI development, and network integration experience will have the opportunity to lead modernization efforts for our legacy control systems. If you’re passionate about engineering solutions that support long-term sustainability and operational excellence, we encourage you to apply.
SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT, ENERGY RECOVERY ENGINEERING SECTION, JOINT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, WHITTIER
OUR MISSION
The Sanitation Districts protect public health and the environment through innovative and cost-effective wastewater and solid waste management, and in doing so convert waste into resources such as recycled water, energy and recycled materials.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
To perform professional electrical/control system engineering work and coordinate progressively more complex projects in a variety of engineering disciplines including civil, architectural, structural, and mechanical engineering disciplines.
JOB SUMMARY:
The major job responsibilities are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the job description.
Under the general supervision of a Supervising Engineer, the incumbent will:
- Perform electrical and instrumentation engineering related to the design, operation and maintenance of the Districts' solid waste facilities and power generation assets
- Manage the Districts' energy portfolio
- Serve as a contact with Southern California Edison for Districts' facilities
- Participate in purchase and sale of electricity, renewable natural gas and related products
- Administer energy service and procurement contracts
- Develop electrical and instrumentation drawings and specifications
- Design low- and medium- voltage power distribution systems and PLC- and hardwired- based control systems
- Develop project cost estimates and economic analyses
- Review design reports including control descriptions, P&ID, and other instrumentation submittals
- Review contractor and vendor O&Ms and as-built drawings
- Provide support for construction inspection and perform functional testing and commissioning for capital improvement projects
- Coordinate the work with other Districts' sections and outside agencies
The incumbent may perform the following job duties if they possess the desirable qualifications:
- Advanced SCADA system programming (ladder logic and function blocks)
- Human Machine Interface (HMI) and Operator Interface graphical visualization development
- Network development and server virtualization
- Develop and select SCADA system optimization/modernization for legacy control systems and standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must possess all of the following:
- A valid California Class C driver license
-AND-
ENGINEERING ASSOCIATE II LEVEL:
- Option 1: A bachelor's degree and master’s degree both in a pertinent engineering discipline from an accredited and recognized college or university
- Option 2: A bachelor's degree from an accredited and recognized college or university in a related science with an Engineer-In-Training Certificate and a master's degree from an accredited and recognized college or university in a pertinent engineering discipline
- Option 3: Two (2) years of professional engineering experience subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university
ENGINEERING ASSOCIATE III LEVEL:
- Option 1: Two (2) years of experience as an Engineering Associate II
- Option 2: Four (4) years of professional engineering experience subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university.
ENGINEER LEVEL:
- Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Engineer with the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
- AND:
- Option 1: Six (6) years of professional engineering experience subsequent to earning a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university
- Option 2: A master's degree in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university -AND- Three (3) years of professional engineering experience
- Option 3: A PhD in engineering from an accredited and recognized college or university -AND- two (2) years of professional engineering experience
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate possesses the following:
- At least three (3) years of experience as an Electrical Engineer/Control Systems Engineer designing, developing, and troubleshooting SCADA and industrial control systems for landfill, wastewater, power generation, petrochemical, or heavy industrial facilities projects
- More than three (3) years of experience with the entire suite of Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View software and Logix-based PLC hardware families, as well as experience with OSIsoft Pi System Data Enterprise configuration and administration
EXAMPLES OF ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The competitive selection process for ALL CLASSES may include :
Knowledge of:
- Electrical engineering principles, energy systems, and industrial controls.
- Energy recovery electrical principles, including sustainability and efficiency strategies.
- Instrumentation and control signal types commonly used in industrial and utility settings.
- SCADA systems and their components within industrial control environments.
- Technical drawings and their use in system design and field implementation.
Ability to :
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Districts staff, the public, consultants and vendors.
- Prepare, review, check or interpret electrical and instrumentation engineering plans and specifications.
- Write technical documents such as preliminary design reports and electrical system study reports.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
NOTE: This posting will remain open until vacancy is filled and is subject to closure without notice.
SELECTION PROCESS:
- All applications will be reviewed to determine if the conditions and qualifications for testing are met.
- The selection process tentatively consists of an interview weighted at 100% and will be the same for all qualified applicants.
- The initial review of applications is expected to begin the week of June 9.
TO APPLY:
Please apply online at governmentjobs.com within this application period. By using the online application system, you will receive confirmation via e-mail that your application was received for this position. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed LACSD Employment Application or online application. Check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as notifications may be sent via e-mail. Please verify that your registered email address is accurate and current. To ensure proper delivery, add info@governmentjobs.com to your contact list.
NOTES:
- The individual(s) recommended for hire must undergo a job-related reference check, DMV report, and a drug test.
- Candidates who have completed their required college or university coursework outside the United States must provide a comprehensive evaluation of their foreign transcripts and degrees upon selection for this position.
For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Brandi Reyes at BrandiReyes@lacsd.org .
As an equal opportunity employer, the Districts strongly encourage people with disabilities and people from historically marginalized communities to apply.
To learn more about how the Sanitation Districts converts waste into resources, please visit the following video: Converting Waste into Resources .
RETIREMENT
- CALPERS: The Districts belong to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), and all monthly status new hires will be enrolled in CalPERS. Most new hires will be enrolled in the defined benefit formula of 2% @ 62 in accordance with the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and are required to contribute to the plan (7.75% for the 23/24 fiscal year; Those who qualify based on current or previous public service may be enrolled in the defined benefit formula in place on December 31, 2012, which was 2% @ 55 and are considered “classic” members. For “classic” members, the Districts pay the “employee share.” Please contact the Human Resources Department for more information regarding contribution rates. Although Districts employees are exempt from Social Security, employees are required by federal law to contribute a percentage of their salary for Medicare coverage.
- DEFERRED COMP MATCH: The Districts provides a matching contribution to an eligible deferred compensation plan pursuant to Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code. The match with each paycheck will be the lesser of: 3% of the employee's base monthly salary as listed in the Salary Schedule; and the amount the employee is contributing with that paycheck. The annual total combined employee and employer contribution are subject to IRS limits.
COMPENSATION & PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Employees receive annual salary increases until reaching step 5 of the salary range and are provided with opportunities to promote. Cost of living adjustments are implemented annually in accordance with labor agreements.
Job classifications are compensated on a 5-step salary range. New employees may receive a 5.5% step increase after successfully completing a 6-month probationary period and yearly thereafter until step 5 is reached. The Districts' typically promote qualified internal applicants before considering outside candidates. For engineering professionals, there are three levels of Engineering Associate (EA) and administrative promotion is possible to an EA II or EA III level after an engineer completes 2 years as an EA I or EA II respectively. Engineers are eligible for administrative promotion to the Civil Engineer level when they obtain registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California and have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and 6 years of professional engineering experience, a master's degree from an accredited university and 3 years of professional engineering experience, or a PhD and 2 years of professional engineering experience. An employee with four years of experience at the Civil Engineer level may apply to compete for promotion to Senior Engineer. Promotions to the Senior Engineer level are made depending upon the needs of the Districts. Supervising Engineer positions are filled through a competitive selection process. Management level positions may also be filled through a competitive selection process, or by appointment by the Chief Engineer and General Manager.
HEALTH INSURANCE
- MEDICAL: Districts paid. Employees may choose from several HMO and Indemnity plans. As of January 1, 2024, the Districts contribute $2,202.87 per month for medical insurance. Depending on the choice of health plan, the Districts contribution covers all or a large portion of the premium for family coverage.
- DENTAL: Districts paid. The Districts pay the full premium for employee and dependent coverage for a prepaid dental program which provides for most routine dental care through a panel of contracting dentists with no deductibles. Employees are eligible to enroll in an indemnity plan if requested within thirty days after completion of three years of employment (sooner for some bargaining units), or during subsequent open enrollment periods.
- VISION: Employee paid.
- LIFE: The Districts pay for a term life policy. Employees can buy additional types and amounts of life insurance coverage at group rates.
- VACATION: Employees receive 88 hours of paid vacation after one full year of service, increasing up to 128 hours per year after five years, 168 hours per year after 15 years and up to 208 hours after 25 years. Prior to one year of full service, employees are given partial vacation time on January 1, based on the time worked in the preceding year.
- SICK LEAVE : Eight hours of full-pay sick leave per month.
- PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees may use up to 40 hours per calendar year from current sick leave for personal reasons.
13 paid holidays and one-half paid holiday depending on the employee's work schedule.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
Employees may be eligible for tuition reimbursement for approved accredited course work.
STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT REIMBURSEMENT
For some bargaining units, the Districts will provide student loan payment reimbursements for principal or interest paid by the employee on a qualified education loan incurred by the employee for the education of the employee. The annual maximum reimbursement is $5,250 and the lifetime reimbursement limit is $21,000.
ENGINEERING TRANSFER PROGRAM
Engineers can participate in a voluntary transfer program to gain experience in various engineering sections. Transfers are made whenever vacancies and qualifications match. An engineer may apply for transfer after they have served in their assignment for 2 years.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & OTHER BENEFITS
- A rewarding career contributing to society and the environment.
- Flexible work schedules (e.g. 9/80 schedule) depending on the worksite.
- Clear policies and procedures.
- Health and safety programs.
- Carpool opportunities with monetary incentives depending on the worksite.
NOTE: The provisions of this posting do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this posting may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
Updated December 29, 2023
Closing Date/Time: Continuous