Eastern Regional Smoke Management Expert (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training)

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, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.

The Air Quality Program (AQP) is looking to fill an Eastern Regional Smoke Management Expert (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training) position. This position is located in our Eastern Regional Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.

The Eastern Regional Smoke Management Expert position serves as the regional smoke management expert in technical and data analysis for the use of weather forecasting models. Mentors staff on the use of weather forecasting models, and the ability to use science, modeling, and the interaction with geography to make smoke management decisions on a daily basis. This position serves as the regional expert in Agricultural and Outdoor burn permitting. This position is key to implementing the critical outdoor burn permitting and smoke management program in 12 counties in Eastern Washington.  

We are looking for applicants who are team players, possess excellent people skills, and have the ability to deal with stressful situations in a professional manner.

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 Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Duties

 

The Air Quality Program's (AQP) mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance the air quality of Washington to safeguard public health and the environment, and support high quality of life for current and future citizens.

 

Some of the key duties at the Environmental Specialist 4 level include: 

 

Smoke management decisions are made 365 days/year including weekends and holidays. Our group requires a reliable team player to rotate these duties fairly and consistently.

The Burn Unit at ERO is a friendly and likeable group with a great sense of humor. We support each other very well, and emphasize excellent work-life balance. Management is supportive, flexible, and considerate. We also have quarterly (or spontaneous) after-work social events, especially during summertime and the holidays.

 

 

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The Initial screening will be on December 10, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before December 9, 2018. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

 

 

Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND two (2) years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.

 

A Master's degree in one of the above fields AND one (1) year of the required experience.

 

 

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields.

 

 

One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2 at the Department of Ecology.

 

Applicants will meet required qualifications if they possess a combination of six years of professional level experience and/or education as detailed above.

 

A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND five (5) years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above. 

OR 

A Master's degree in one of the above fields AND three (3) years of professional - level experience as required above.  

OR 

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields and two (2) years of professional - level experience as required above.  

OR 

Two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 at the Department of Ecology.

Applicants will meet the required qualifications if they possess a combination of nine years of professional-level experience and/or education as detailed above.  

Note: The 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.

 

The 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.

 

 

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:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS),  Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth

 

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.

 

 

Supplemental Information

 

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."

 

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 Daniel Matsche at: Daniel.matsche@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Daniel 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.