Mission
Provide the licensed engineering leadership needed to move residential cesspool-conversion projects safely and efficiently from site assessment through design, regulatory review, installation support, and final closeout.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate residential sites and recommend appropriate, code-compliant individual wastewater system solutions.
- Prepare, review, stamp, and submit engineering plans and supporting documents within the engineer’s licensed scope and responsible charge.
- Coordinate with homeowners, surveyors, soil professionals, field crews, inspectors, and applicable state and county agencies.
- Identify site constraints early, including access, grading, setbacks, drainage, existing utilities, and soil conditions.
- Respond to technical review comments and keep engineering submissions moving.
- Provide field guidance during installation, conduct or oversee required inspections, and document accepted field changes.
- Prepare or approve final engineering and as-built documentation as applicable.
- Help establish practical, repeatable quality and compliance standards for the pilot without compromising site-specific engineering judgment.
Ideal background
A Hawaiʻi-licensed civil engineer with hands-on experience in individual or onsite wastewater systems, residential infrastructure, land development, or rural utility projects. The strongest candidates combine sound engineering judgment with a practical understanding of construction in Hawaiʻi Island conditions.
Must-haves
- Active Hawaiʻi Professional Engineer license in civil engineering, in good standing.
- Experience designing or reviewing onsite wastewater, septic, civil site, or closely related systems.
- Working knowledge of applicable Hawaiʻi wastewater and construction requirements.
- Ability to visit project sites on Hawaiʻi Island.
- Clear, timely communication with homeowners, field crews, consultants, and regulators.
- Willingness to take responsible charge of work performed under the engineer’s seal.
- Professional liability coverage, or the ability to obtain it, if engaged as an independent contractor.
Nice-to-haves
- Direct experience with cesspool conversions or individual wastewater systems in Hawaiʻi.
- Familiarity with the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Wastewater Branch review process and online IWS submissions.
- Familiarity with Hawaiʻi Island soils, terrain, access constraints, and agency processes.
- Existing relationships with local surveyors, laboratories, geotechnical professionals, or public agencies.
- Experience supporting pilot programs or repeatable residential project delivery.
What success looks like in the first 90 days
- Establishes a clear engineering review and documentation process for pilot homes.
- Completes initial site evaluations and advances the first project designs toward approval.
- Identifies technical, site, or regulatory risks early enough for the team to address them.
- Builds an effective working rhythm with field operations, permitting staff, homeowners, and outside specialists.
- Helps the first installations meet safety, quality, documentation, and regulatory expectations.