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 hire a Data Analyst / Sediment Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4). The position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.

The Data Analyst / Sediment Specialist is responsible for using advanced scientific knowledge to conduct highly complex analyses of sediment data to inform site-specific regulatory and management decisions on the Puget Sound Initiative cleanup sites, a programmatic priority. The successful candidate will grow to be a technical expert of contaminated sediment sites. The position manages remedial investigations, feasibility studies, engineering designs, and cleanup action plans to achieve cleanup goals. This position also serves as a senior section specialist responsible for managing Ecology’s sediment data.

We are looking for applicants who have a strong statistical background, are comfortable working with large data sets, and who possess strong communication and relationship building skills. You will be rewarded with the ability to participate on projects that develop cleanup actions which protect the public and restore the natural resources we all share.

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. Maybe you’ve seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecy.wa.gov.

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

Accidental spills of dangerous materials and past business practices have contaminated land and water throughout the state. The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) works to remedy these situations, which range from cleaning up contamination from leaking underground storage tanks, to large, complex projects requiring engineering solutions. Our mission is to get and keep contaminants out of the environment.

Some of the key work activities of the Data Analyst / Sediment Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) position include:

• This position uses advanced scientific knowledge to acquire, evaluate, and provide expert assistance with sediment data.
• As senior section specialist for sediment quality data management, this position independently performs senior-level work under general supervision as TCP’s data coordinator. You will collaborate with EAP data entry staff to manage Ecology’s sediment quality data within Ecology’s Environmental Information Management (EIM) and respond to highly complex inquiries for technical assistance from local, state, and federal regulatory agencies, academic institutions and environmental stakeholders.
• Uses advanced scientific knowledge to independently conduct more complex, site-specific analyses of sediment data to inform permitting, enforcement, and the cleanup of contaminated marine and freshwater sediment sites using MyEIM sediment analysis tool. Data analysis could include, data compilation, statistical analysis, data gaps analysis and GIS mapping.
• Evaluates chemical and biological data resulting from sediment samples for use in discharge permits and for use in the application of statewide regulatory standards in the cleanup of contaminated marine and freshwater sediment sites under Sediment Management Standards, Chapter 173-204 WAC, Model Toxics Control Act Chapter 173-340 WAC.
• The successful candidate will work with other project managers as assigned to provide analysis support.
• Independently acts as a technical expert and sediment site manager and provides senior-level state of the art scientific knowledge and technical expertise to conduct cleanup at contaminated sediment sites under general supervision.
• Determines appropriate site characterization and cleanup methods; verifies compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines; coordinates other technical reviews; and, implements clean-up actions of assigned projects.
• Interprets sediment data and researches cleanup sites using scientific methods to determine if the site meets the criteria developed in Cleanup Action Plans and is protective of human health and the environment.

This position will close on October 14, 2015. The initial screening of applications will be on September 30, 2015. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 29, 2015. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, or closely allied field AND five years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control. Experience may also include 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.

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 or equivalent.

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.

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.

Desired Qualifications:

• One year of experience coordinating data entry into data management systems, including Ecology’s EIM system.
• Working knowledge of the Sediment Management Standards, Chapter 173-204 WAC.
• Skills in R, or other statistical programs (e.g. SAS, Statisitca).
• Knowledge of sediment chemistry and biology related testing protocols (including bioassays), and sediment remediation technologies.
• Strong verbal and written communication, negotiation, project management, and analytic skills.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Prior to site work: Initial 40-hour hazardous materials training followed by annual 8-hour refresher.

For immediate consideration, apply online at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1239856