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Hazardous Waste Compliance Inspector (Environmental Specialist 4)



Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
 
The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) Program within the Department of Ecology is looking for a Hazardous Waste Compliance Inspector in our Northwest Regional Office in Bellevue, WA.

This position conducts dangerous waste compliance inspections at generators of dangerous waste, used oil processors, and permitted treatment/storage/disposal facilities.

We are looking for self-driven applicants who thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment that truly enjoy educating and informing a diverse regulated community of regulatory requirements. Strong communication skills, a willingness to change tactics when communication appears at an impasse, and maintaining a genuine sense of curiosity about the world around them, specifically how stuff is made, are all hallmarks of a successful dangerous waste compliance inspector.

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 LinkedInTwitterFacebookInstagram or our blog.


Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
 
Duties


Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington's environment and promote the wise management of our air, land, and water for the benefit of current and future generations.

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 this Hazardous Waste Compliance Inspector do?

This position supports the agency and program missions by:
  • Serving as the senior section specialist on the standards for the management of used oil, WAC 173-303-515. In addition, this position will be responsible for planing and leading dangerous waste compliance inspections at two of the used oil processors located in the northwest region. 
  • Serving as the senior section specialist responsible for overseeing dangerous waste compliance at one of the federal treatment storage and disposal (TSD) facilities located in the northwest region. In addition this positon is responsible for coordinating with the Nuclear Waste Program to ensure dangerous waste compliance at the mixed waste TSD located in the northwest region. 
  • Planning and leading highly complex Dangerous Waste compliance inspections and investigations at priority regulated entities and industries.
  • Making regulatory determinations which significantly influence the environmental management of a variety of chemicals exhibiting a wide variety of hazards.
  • Developing regulatory relationships with entities and other agencies in order to work together to identify and respond to environmental issues.
  • Draft inspection reports, and enter inspection data into our data systems.
  • Evaluating the compliance history of regulated entities and providing technical recommendations and documentation during formal enforcement processes.


Why join the team?
 
  • This job requires constant learning and curiosity. Inspectors from a variety of backgrounds have found previous technical experience applicable to this role. Those who value encouraging environmental protection likely would find this work meaningful.
  • This is a challenging career opportunity allowing many opportunities for improving interpersonal skills while educating the public about the dangerous waste regulations, and our environmental laws as a whole.
  • We are a multi-generational group of skilled professionals, coming from diverse backgrounds. We are tasked with obtaining lasting compliance with the dangerous waste regulations in the largest Ecology region where half of our regulated generators of dangerous waste reside.
  • Our team possess the shared values of desiring meaningful work, making a contribution to the citizens of Washington State, and continuing on the path of personal and team development.
 


Please Note: The salary posted above does not include the additional 5% premium pay that this position will receive due to this position's location in King County.
 

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be on October 8, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before October 7, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

 
Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.


 
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

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.
                                        
OR
 
Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 at the Department of Ecology
 
 
NOTE: One year of the required experience must involve implementing Washington's "Dangerous Waste Regulations", Chapter 173-303 WAC.
 
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
 
  • Demonstrated experience communicating professionally through both informal and formal documents and discussions.
  • Demonstrated experience applying negotiation and conflict resolution skills in both formal and informal circumstances.


Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:

Must obtain and maintain a valid Driver's License.



Why work for Ecology?

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment.

A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
 
Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
 
*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information
 
Supplemental Information

Application Instructions:

Please include the following documents as an attachment to your application:
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required/desired qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience.
Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.

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 a 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 at (360) 407-6186.

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 call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up 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 Matt Quarterman at: Matt.Quarterman@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Matt 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 is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

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.