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 is a good fit.

The Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) is looking to fill a Lab Accreditation Administrative Specialist (Environmental Specialist 2) position. The position will be located in the Laboratory Accreditation Unit in Manchester, WA.  The Department of Ecology is the accrediting institution in Washington State for environmental laboratories, including those that test drinking water.

The Lab Accreditation Administrative Specialist position works to ensure laboratories are capable of providing accurate and defensible analytical data to the Departments of Ecology and Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other entities that require use of accredited laboratories. The administrative specialist manages the accreditation database and facilitates the efficient operation of the Lab Accreditation Unit.

We are looking for applicants who have excellent people skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, are able to work independently, possess excellent time-management skills, are well-organized and have a strong command of Microsoft Office, especially Access, but also Excel and Word.

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.

 

The Environmental Assessment Program provides a range of scientific, monitoring, laboratory, and quality assurance services. Its mission is to measure and assess environmental conditions in Washington State.

Some of the duties of the Lab Accreditation Administrative Specialist position include:

  • Serving as the first point of contact to provide information to and answer questions from laboratories seeking accreditation, Ecology and other agency staff seeking information about accreditation and accredited labs, and the general public.
  • Working and coordinating with a staff of three chemists, a microbiologist and a toxicologist.
  • Facilitating the processing of applications for accreditation.
  • Supporting the implementation of Chapter 173-50 of the Washington Administrative Code (Accreditation of Environmental Laboratories).
  • Keeping Lab Accreditation Database information up to date for 480 accredited labs.
  • Uploading Proficiency Testing electronic data to the database for those accredited labs.
  • Generating monthly renewal applications for accredited labs.
  • Invoicing labs monthly for their accreditation fees.
  • Working and coordinating with Information Technology (IT) staff to facilitate IT initiatives and improvements.
  • Identifying and improving workflow processes to make them more efficient.
  • Supporting the Lab Accreditation Unit Supervisor with administrative tasks.
  • Working independently under general supervision.

Required 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 one (1) year of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning. The professional experience must include experience with Microsoft Office software, with extensive use of Access and Excel.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.

OR

One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 1.

OR

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields.

Demonstrated administrative skills in a technical office environment.

Desired Qualifications:

Knowledge of basic concepts of analytical chemistry and laboratory operations.

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:

Successfully pass the initial EPA Personnel Access and Security System (EPASS) background check and any required subsequent checks which is required for access to the federal facility that houses the Ecology laboratory.