Safer Products Compliance Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training)
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.
The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Safer Products Compliance Specialist. This position is located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.
We are looking for applicants with a strong sense of curiosity, who like challenges and are creative in their problem solving. The ideal candidate must have strong people skills and be able to work in close proximity with colleagues.
As an agency, we invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.
For more information about our agency, visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov or check us out on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) Program is made up of people dedicated to fostering sustainability, preventing pollution, and promoting safe waste management. We do many different things in a coordinated approach to protect the people and environment of Washington from hazardous products and waste.
What does the Safer Products Compliance Specialist do?
This position supports the agency's mission and the unit's vision by implementing numerous consumer products laws that limit or otherwise regulate the use of toxic chemicals in consumer products. Specifically, this position will help implement the state's Better Brakes, Toxics in Packaging, PFAS in Fire Fighting Foam and Equipment, Lead Wheel Weights, Mercury in Products laws and support the implementation of Substitute Senate Bill 5135. This includes:
- Ensuring the product laws referenced above are fully implemented by reviewing product testing information and industry reported data.
- Providing technical assistance to companies so that they understand the reporting requirements and chemical restrictions they must comply with, and answering industry inquiries and requests for clarification about how they are to comply with these laws.
- Reaching out to industry and manufacturers related to the above laws in order to gain full compliance and ensure the reduced use of the targeted toxic chemicals.
- Responding to rulemaking petitions and leading future rulemaking efforts to revise and update associated rules on a periodic basis.
- Work with project managers to develop product testing studies for compliance and enforcement.
Why join the team?
- This work unit is a highly skilled team of scientists, policy experts, compliance officers, and database mangers, dedicated to protecting Washington's citizens and the environment from toxic chemicals contained in consumer products.
To broaden the applicant pool, candidates will be considered at either the Environmental Specialist 3 or Environmental Specialist 4 level. If the selected candidate meets the requirements for the Environmental Specialist 3, they will complete an in-training plan in order to reach the Environmental Specialist 4 goal class.
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be on June 27, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before June 26, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Required Qualifications:
At the Environmental Specialist 3 level: Range 49, Monthly Salary $3,774 - $4,953
A Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND two years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.
Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.
A Master's degree in one of the above fields will substitute for one year of the required experience.
OR
A Ph.D. in one of the above fields.
At the Environmental Specialist 4 level: Range 55, Monthly Salary $4,378 - $5,741
A Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND five years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.
OR
A Master's degree in one of the above fields AND three years of professional - level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
OR
A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
Experience as an Environmental Specialist 2 can include assisting in any of the following areas: 1) performing field surveys or studies, 2) responding to complaints involving scientific or technical content, 3) preparing public meetings and hearings, 4) assistance with routine inspections or investigations requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 5) responding to routine inquires or requests for technical assistance involving scientific content, 6) special projects that are scientific in nature, 7) conducting routine sampling and testing analyses, interprets data, writing reports 8) performing basic sampling data review, 9) maintaining an environmental data base to support technical projects, 10) providing routine environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.
Experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 can include a combination of the following: 1) investigating and / or resolving complaints involving science or technology content, 2) performing inspections, 3) drafting technical evaluations and reports, 4) develops plans for researching information used for technical projects, regulatory or policy development, 5) plan and facilitate public meetings and hearings, 6) project work requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 7) providing technical assistance for complex scientific content and/ or support for implementing scientific content programs, 8) conducting tests, analyzing and evaluating data, 9) using environmental databases to support technical projects, 10) developing scientific studies and resource management plans, 11) providing environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience enforcing environmental and/or product testing laws.
- Experience effectively organizing multiple complex assignments, sometimes involving competing priorities, to produce work products that are accurate, thorough, and on time.
- Experience developing innovative ideas that provide solutions to all types of workplace challenges.
- Experience with spreadsheets, databases, and statistical software
- Experience writing scientific or technical reports.
- Experience with conflict resolution and team building skills
Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:
Valid Driver's License