Engineering Associate/Engineer (On-Site Sewage Facility System)

About the Department

Provides plan review and engineering analysis of proposed designs for public and private development to ensure compliance with state, federal guidelines, codes and regulations as related to on-site sewage facilities (OSSF). Under the general supervision of engineers and/or team leads, functions as a plan reviewer and performs review analysis of OSSF related development of varying complexity. Prepares and oversees permits, inspection protocols, maintenance and monitoring of OSSF projects issued permits. Responsible for providing guidance and consultation to OSSF inspection staff and County departs and officials.  

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Engineering Associate: This is the first in a series of three engineering-related job classifications within the Engineering and Architectural job family. This classification is distinguished by the scope of project work and required additional experience. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Engineer: This is the second in a series of three engineering-related job classifications within the Engineering and Architectural job family. This classification is distinguished by the scope size of the project work, license as a Professional Engineer (P.E.), and required additional experience. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Position Duties

• Provides plan review and engineering analysis of proposed designs for public and private development to ensure compliance with state, federal guidelines, codes and regulations as related to on-site sewage facilities (OSSF).
• Prepares and oversees permits, inspection protocols, maintenance and monitoring of OSSF projects issued permits.
• Providing guidance and consultation to OSSF inspection staff and County departs and officials.  
• Maintains accurate records and notes, and of office work activities.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Engineering Associate: $70,532.80 - $91,686.40

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering AND four (4) years of directly related, increasingly responsible engineering design and/or analysis experience, including one (1) year of lead experience; 

OR,

 Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Preferred:

• Licensed as OSSF Designated Representative (D.R.) or achieve this within four (4) months from date of hire.

• 3-5 years OSSF design or OSSF permitting experience
• Geology and/or soil analysis background
• Familiarity with current OSSF technologies
• Strong understanding of wastewater principles and biology

• Spanish speaking

Engineer: $95,000.00 - $125,000.00

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering AND two (2) years of directly related, increasingly responsible professional engineering design and project management experience.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Licensed to practice as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas issued by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. If licensed in another state, must acquire license reciprocity in the State of Texas within six (6) months of date of hire. Valid Texas Driver’s License. 

Preferred:

• Licensed as OSSF Designated Representative (D.R.) or achieve this within four (4) months from date of hire.
• Licensed as Professional Engineer (P.E.) or achieve within four (4) months from date of hire
•  Licensed as Registered Sanitarian (R.S.) or achieve within four (4) months from date of hire.

• 3-5 years OSSF design or OSSF permitting experience
• Geology and/or soil analysis background
• Familiarity with current OSSF technologies
• Strong understanding of wastewater principles and biology
• Spanish speaking

• Principles, procedures, practices, programs, systems, methods and techniques of engineering.
• Advanced mathematical and statistical methods as used in engineering and planning.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, permits, licenses, practices, standards, policies and procedures.
• Principles and practices related to public works projects and or contract plans, specifications and estimates.
• Materials sampling and testing procedures, permit requirements, utility construction requirements, and traffic control policies and standards is required, as well as familiarity with construction techniques.
• Design standards and policies.
• Requirements, purposes, and limitations of various permits, security fiscal, licenses, and regulations.
• Methods, practices, and techniques of inspections, compliance, and enforcement.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, maps, records, graphics, project scheduling and management, and other related engineering applications.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

• Analyzing data, technical engineering data and reports.
• Applying principles and practices as used in engineering.
• Adapting approved engineering methods and standards a variety of engineering projects.
• Using and caring for equipment, tools and testing materials.
• Using and caring for computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), Geographic Information System (GIS) and other related electronic equipment.
• Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.
• Problem-solving and technical decision-making for developing effective solutions.
• Both verbal and written communication.

• Perform engineering studies, analysis and design.
• Work independently.
• Supervise subordinate personnel.
• Exercise sound judgment and make decisions.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Perform technical research, calculations, and computations, and prepare plans and reports.
• Convey ideas and concepts verbally and in writing.
• Interpret plans, specifications, standards, policies, procedures and regulatory codes.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Continue professional growth through continuing education.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, developers, engineers, contractors, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Other Qualifications

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-60 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, mental effort, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer, and viewing screens for long periods. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, driving, repetitive motion, and client/customer contact to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with noise, vibration, fumes, foul odor, dirt, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation. Requires use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, and gloves. Requires fieldwork, and exposure to traffic, public work development sites, construction site hazards, climbing and walking and traveling over rough, uneven, mud, rocky, high grass terrain, and indoors/outdoors in all types of weather (excessive heat and cold).

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am - 5 pm

Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)

Location: 700 Lavaca St., Austin, TX 78701

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions about this posting, contact: Victoria Besa at [email protected]

Benefits

Benefits
Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

FY2026 Travis County Benefit Guide

In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

Credit Union
Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

Deferred Compensation
Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit
Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

Employee Assistance Program
Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

Employee Organizations
Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

Employee Health & Wellness Clinic
Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

Holidays
An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Insurance 
Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County’s current policy is to pay 100% of the employee’s health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.

The following benefits are employee paid:

• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Life, AD&D
• Dependent Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care

New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.

Longevity
Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.

On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.

Parking
A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.

Personal Holidays
Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:

January – March

3 personal holidays

 

April - June

2 personal holidays
 

July - September

1 personal holiday
 

October - December

None

New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.

Retirement
Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Sick Leave
Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.

Parental Leave
Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.

Tuition Refund
Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.

Vacation
Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:

0 to 5 years

4.0 hours per pay period

 

6 to 10 years

4.5 hours per pay period

 

11 to 15 years

5.0 hours per pay period

 

16 to 20 years

5.5 hours per pay period

 

21 plus years

6.0 hours per pay period

Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.

Workers' Compensation
The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.

Supplemental Questions

01

Do you have prior experience with OSSF plan review or design? If yes, please detail prior experience and scope.

02

Do you have an OSSF Designated Representative License?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a Professional Engineering (P.E.) license? If yes, please state what type of P.E.

04

Do you have a Registered Sanitarian (R.S.) license?

• Yes
• No

05

You must ensure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position. Only periods of employment and experience detailed in the "Work Experience" section of the application will be considered in determining which applicants move forward in the selection process, as well as determining pay level for candidate(s) recommended for hire. I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer

Travis County

Address

700 Lavaca Street








Austin, Texas, 78701

Website

https://www.traviscountytx.gov/human-resources/jobs