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Hazardous Waste Specialist (In Training)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.1 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18th, 2021. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 Vaccination as part of the hire process. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 Vaccination” in the subject line. 

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen


Take a look at this exciting opportunity to begin your career in Ecology’s Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program. Work as part of a dedicated and passionate team in the beautiful Eastern part of Washington State.

The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Hazardous Waste Compliance position. This position is located in our Eastern Regional Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.

The mission of the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) Program is to protect Washington’s residents and environment by reducing the use of toxic chemicals, safely managing dangerous waste, preventing new contaminated sites, and cleaning up contamination. The HWTR vision is to be national leaders in minimizing and eliminating the impacts of toxic chemicals and hazardous waste. 

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. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership who embrace the value of people.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
  • An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
  • Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, and fitness classes; an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.


Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
 
Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
 
Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
 
Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
 
Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
 
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position is primarily field based and only expected to work in the office up to 2 days a week during the training time period. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding building occupancy, mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 
 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of September 13, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 12, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Duties
 
What you'll do:

  • As a member of the Eastern Regional Office’s (ERO’s) Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program’s compliance team, you will include educate the regulated public, safely conduct compliance inspections and provide follow-up guidance to facilities to ensure they achieve compliance.
  • Act as an integral part of ERO’s Spokane Office Dangerous Waste Management Team. In this role, you will work with other regional environmental programs (Spills, Water Quality, Toxics Cleanup, etc.) to ensure our own agency’s dangerous wastes are managed and disposed of properly.
  • Contribute to and support a small group of HWTR regional compliance inspectors. You will participate in team meetings designed to discuss current issues related to implementing the rule, provide peer review of inspection reports, lead inspections, serve as a back-up inspector for others in the ERO region and occasionally across the state, and provide assistance to other regulatory agencies on interpretation and implementation of Dangerous Waste regulations.
  • When necessary, you will work with state wide and regional leads, and the Washington State Attorney General’s Office to issue formal enforcement actions such as Administrative Orders and/or Penalties in response to immanent or actual threats to human health and/or the environment. 

 What makes this role unique?
 
  • In this role, you will have the ability to make a difference in protecting our community through education, inspection, and formal enforcement of the Dangerous Waste regulations.
  • You’ll work with a variety of staff with a broad range of expertise such as:
  • HWTR Program staff and subject matter experts across the state, 
  • Other environmental program representatives within the Ecology’s ERO region, 
  • Other local, state, and federal environmental or regulatory agencies, 
  • The Washington State Attorney General’s Office.
  • You will be provided the training and mentoring necessary to become proficient and safe in understanding and implementing a complex set of Washington State regulations.
  • You will have the opportunity to safely visit and learn about a wide variety of industries and develop the interpersonal skills necessary to educate, assist, and persuade facility representatives to achieve compliance with the Dangerous Waste regulations. 
  • You will have the opportunity to develop regional expertise in topic areas related to the mission of the HWTR program.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational, volunteer and lived-experience. See below for how you may qualify.

At the Environmental Specialist 1 level: Pay Range 38 ($2,999 - $3,887 monthly)
Option 1:

Four (4) years of experience and/ or education: 

  • Experience: In environmental analysis or control or environmental planning. 

  • Education: Involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied science field.

Experience may include a combination of the following:

  • Investigating environmental complaints or violations
  • Performing inspections or field investigations
  • Planning, developing, and conducting data collection, and analyzing the results
  • Assisting businesses with regulatory requirements, including explaining options for coming into compliance

Option 2:

  • A Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:



At the Environmental Specialist 2 level: Pay Range 45 ($3,535 - $4,627– monthly)
Option 1:

Five (5) years of experience and/ or education: 

  • Experience: In environmental analysis or control or environmental planning. 

  • Education: Involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied science field.

Experience may include a combination of the following:

  • Investigating environmental complaints or violations
  • Performing inspections or field investigations
  • Planning, developing, and conducting data collection, and analyzing the results
  • Assisting businesses with regulatory requirements, including explaining options for coming into compliance

Option 2:

  • One (1) year of experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning, which may include the experience described in Option 1. 

  • A Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

Option 3: 

  • A Master’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:


At the Environmental Specialist 3 level: Pay Range 49 ($3,887 - $5,102 – monthly)
Option 1:

Six (6) years of experience and/ or education: 
  • Experience: In environmental analysis or control or environmental planning. 

  • Education: Involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied science field.

Experience may include a combination of the following:

  • Investigating environmental complaints or violations
  • Performing inspections or field investigations
  • Planning, developing, and conducting data collection, and analyzing the results
  • Assisting businesses with regulatory requirements, including explaining options for coming into compliance

Option 2:

  • Two (2) years of experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning, which may include the experience described in Option 1. 

  • A Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

Option 3: 

  • One (1) year of experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning, which may include the experience described in Option 1. 

  • A Master’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

Option 4:

  • A PhD degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:


Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

  • Must have a valid driver's license


Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

  • Experience effectively communicating complex information to a variety of audiences
  • Experience reviewing and understanding complex technical documents
  • Experience applying negotiation and conflict resolution skills

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Supplemental Information

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

  • Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
  • 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 the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
  • If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.  

Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

  • A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position
  • A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable. 
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

  • Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
  • Do not attach documents that are password protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current 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.

Application Attestation: 

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. 

Other Information:
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Karen Wood at: Karen.Wood@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Karen to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

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.

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 your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Equal Opportunity Employer: 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, military spouses 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.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.