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Aquatic Ecological Toxicologist (Toxicologist 2)

Description
          
       
  
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
 
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative and has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology may be a good fit.

The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is looking to fill an Aquatic Ecological Toxicologist (Toxicologist 2) position located in our Headquarters Office (HQ) in Lacey, WA.

The Aquatic Ecological Toxicologist position provides expert guidance on the interpretation and implementation of state regulations (i.e. Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), Sediment Management Standards (SMS), and associated guidance documents), and acts as a project manager and sediment specialist to achieve cleanup goals at priority cleanup sites in the Puget Sound.

We're looking for detail-oriented applicants who possess excellent people skills, the ability to rapidly yet thoroughly assess complex data and regulations, make defensible decisions, and communicate these decisions to colleagues, the regulated community, and the public.

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedInTwitterFacebookInstagram or our blog.
Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
Duties

The mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is to protect Washington's human health and the environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution and supporting sustainable communities and natural resources for current and future generations.

The Aquatic Ecological Toxicologist works within the HQ Aquatic Lands Cleanup Unit (ALCU) of TCP specializing in sediment cleanup. It directly supports Ecology's mission to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment by remediating sediment contamination at sites throughout the Puget Sound to protect human health and the environment. The ALCU oversees sediment cleanup throughout the Puget Sound and provides central technical support and regulatory interpretation for the implementation of the Sediment Management Standards (SMS), Chapter 173-204 WAC, and Model Toxics Control Act Cleanup Regulation (MTCA), Chapter 173-340 WAC, for all sediment management within the state. You'll be a key part of that team and be rewarded with great co-workers and a supportive work environment.

Some of the key work activities for the Aquatic Ecological Toxicologist position include:
  • Independently manages and oversees sediment cleanup at sites driven by benthic or human health regulatory standards.
  • Oversees and guides remedial investigations and feasibility studies to determine the best cleanup remedies, oversees engineering design and construction oversight to implement remedies, and post-construction monitoring to ensure success.
  • Provides expert level sediments technical support to other cleanup project managers.
  • Communicates and conveys information directly to liable parties, tribes, stakeholders, and the public.
  • Is comfortable working both independently and in a team environment.
  • Represents the TCP and Ecology in scientific / regulatory discussions surrounding sediment management in Washington State.

Problem solver: The successful candidate will be able to work through differences of opinion in sampling designs, will help people correctly interpret regulations, will be comfortable debating technical differences of opinion, and will be able to explain what, how and why regulatory decisions are made. The individual will have many challenging tasks and will be rewarded with coming up with solutions to complex issues leading to a cleaner environment.

The Aquatic Ecological Toxicologist position is an interesting and challenging mix of understanding marine benthic ecology, how contaminants in the aquatic environment impact environmental and human health, and how we use our regulations to address sediment contamination. This position is where toxicology, ecology, and regulations interact and translate into understanding real-world biological impacts and the ways to address these impacts for the betterment of the aquatic environment. If you enjoy the challenges of mixing multiple disciplines then this position will be great for you. If you enjoy working with groups who may have divergent interests and can identify common grounds to build a workable solution, then you may be a great fit for this position.

Note: Field work is required, as is travel, sometimes overnight. There will be stimulating meetings with liable parties and consultants who present complex scientific and regulatory issues to work through. And, cleanups are long-term investments in time and effort, but the pay-offs are returning aquatic environments back to productive areas economically and/or environmentally. 

The Aquatic Lands Cleanup Unit is a team-oriented and mutually supportive work environment that prides itself on maintaining open communication. If you have a question, there are staff to bounce ideas off of; and, vice versa. We work on cleanup sites that when completed have real positive environmental impacts and where you and your co-workers are invested in making Washington a sustainable place to work and live.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be July 22, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before July 21, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

A Ph.D. degree in toxicology, or in a health or ecological related science with a major emphasis in toxicology, and one year of experience as a toxicologist.

OR
 
A Master's of Science degree in toxicology, or in a health or ecological related science with a major emphasis in toxicology, and three years of experience as a toxicologist.

Desired Qualifications:
 
  • Expert knowledge of marine and freshwater sediment biology/ecology, upland source control, bioassays, hydrogeologic processes, and marine chemistry.  
  • Expert knowledge of the Sediment Management Standards, Chapter 173-204 WAC, and the Model Toxics Control Act Regulation Chapter 173-340 WAC.
  • Strong verbal and written communication, project management and facilitation skills.
  • Strong negotiation and problem solving skills.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
 
  • Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a Driver's License. 
  • Must complete HAZOWPER (40-hr) training within six months of employment, and an annual 8-hour refresher
  
Supplemental Information
 
Application Instructions:
 
In order to be considered, applicants MUST include the following documents as an attachment to their application:
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience.
 
Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume" may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."

Other Information:

If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Leonard Machut at: Leonard.machut@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Leonard to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.