Monitoring Strategy Coordinator (6PPD)

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (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.

The Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Monitoring Strategy Coordinator (6PPD) (Natural Resource Scientist 3) position. This position will be located at our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.

Urban Runoff Mortality Syndrome (URMS), also known as Coho pre-spawn mortality, is a condition first identified on the West Coast of the United States where adult Coho salmon die when returning to freshwater streams before spawning. In December 2020, researchers identified 6PPD-quinone, a transformation product of the tire anti-degradant 6PPD, as the chemical responsible for URMS. 6PPD can react with ozone to form 6PPD-quinone on the surface of the tire or tire wear particles generated on the road surface, or once released to the environment. These tire wear particles, 6PPD, and 6PPD-quinone can then be flushed into spawning streams during storm events.

As a senior staff scientist in EAP’s Toxics Studies Unit (TSU), you will contribute to the agency and program missions by conducting research in coordination with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), University of Tacoma (UWT), and Washington State University-Puyallup (Washington Stormwater Center, or WSC), to identify priority areas affected by 6PPD or other related chemicals toxic to aquatic life from roads and transportation infrastructure. You will also be working in coordination with engineers from Ecology’s Water Quality program focused on evaluating BMPs for reducing 6PPD and other related toxicity in stormwater receiving waters.

 

You will lead in drafting a final legislative report summarizing all findings of the prioritization study and BMP evaluation and recommendations conducted by the Ecology’s Water Quality Program. Timing for this draft legislative report is critical and is due to the State legislature by November 1, 2022.

 

This position is housed within Ecology’s Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) under the Statewide Coordination Section (Toxics Studies Unit or TSU). EAP’s mission is to measure, assess, and communicate environmental conditions in Washington. We work to improve the environment for current and future generations through innovative and excellent science and thriving partnerships. The Toxics Studies Unit conducts long term monitoring and source identification and environmental forensics studies for toxics across the state. 

Please Note: This is a project position that is funded until June 30, 2023. 

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

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. 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 17, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 16, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

 

Duties

This role is unique and challenging as it requires you to have technical expertise in fate and transport of 6PPD and related organic compounds in the environment; current understanding and research conducted on 6PPD is limited. You must also possess the skills to collaborate and coordinate with regional 6PPD stakeholder groups to help develop a plan recommending priority areas for future study and BMP implementation. In addition, you will be responsible for synthesizing findings and authoring a legislative report in coordination with participating stakeholders and Ecology’s water quality program, due November 2022.  

This role will lead the development of a legislative report summarizing recommendations through coordination with regional stakeholders and internal Ecology programs. Duties include, but may not be limited to:

Qualifications

Option 1: A Bachelor’s degree with a major study in Fisheries, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Toxicology or other closely allied field AND Four years of professional research work experience evaluating toxic chemicals in the environment and coordination of project stakeholders. 

Option 2: A Master’s degree with a major study in Fisheries, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Toxicology or other closely allied field AND Two years of professional research work experience evaluating toxic chemicals in the environment and coordination of project stakeholders. 

Option 3: A Ph.D. with a major study in Fisheries, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Toxicology or other closely allied field AND One year of professional research work experience evaluating toxic chemicals in the environment and coordination of project stakeholders. 

 

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

 

 

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?

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

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

When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

 

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.

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. 

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

To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

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:

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 *See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information 

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.