Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

Water quality standards for surface waters say that effluents cannot cause toxic effects on the receiving waters. As many toxic pollutants can’t be detected by commonly available methods, there is a special laboratory test known as WET that is used to measure these pollutants by exposing living organisms to wastewater and measuring their response.

The Water Quality Program is recruiting for a Lead for Aquatic Toxicity Assessments (Environmental Specialist 5). This position interprets state laws in order to establish and update the WET testing and analysis procedures for the agency so that the program can use this technology appropriately to monitor pollutants in the State’s waters. This position is the program-wide resource for this aquatic-toxicity related information.

We are looking for applicants who are able to read and interpret scientific information, and communicate complicated concepts to a wide range of audiences.

This position is located in our Headquarters office in Lacey, WA.

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 our agency, check us out on our website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

 

• Provides assessments to state government of the risks to aquatic and marine organisms from toxic chemicals.
• Independently evaluates available data and recommends specific toxicity test methods when toxicity testing is required.
• Independently, and in coordination with external agency and institution staff, researches new toxicity test methods when existing methods do not meet needs.
• In response to complicated and emerging issues, keeps the Water Quality Program National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit shells and Permit Writer’s Manual updated as methodologies, regulations, and policies related to discharge or ambient toxicity testing change.
• Provides analysis and interpretation of monitoring data as needed.
• Maintains the WET (whole effluent toxicity) test result database (CETIS, or Comprehensive Environmental Toxicology Information System) by providing guidance and technical expertise to labs so that they understand the data, formats, and transfer protocol required, providing quality assurance review of the data and test reports, and evaluating and reporting the confirmed results to the responsible Ecology office.
• Plans, designs, and carries out queries of WET test results from CETIS and provides these results along with a regulatory evaluation pursuant to chapter 173-205 WAC to permit writers in support of permit development and compliance.
• Serves as technical lead in updates to the WET rule 173-205 WAC.
• Plans, develops, and directs implementation of procedures for evaluating potentially toxic chemicals proposed for use in providing wastewater treatment, disinfection, or control of nuisance organisms.
• Determines conditions for the safe use of these potentially toxic chemicals and provides these conditions to other regulators within the agency to inform research, permitting, and enforcement decision-making.
• Evaluates and assesses the scientific rigor of regulations, specifications, and procedures for aquatic nuisance species and ballast water projects.
• Participates on the Ballast Water Workgroup as needed.
• Serves as Ecology’s lead reviewer in ballast water treatment system review and the EPA and US Coast Guard rulemaking to establish national ballast water standards and treatment system approval.
• Provides technical assistance and expert opinion to inform critical plans for the use of toxic chemicals to control nuisance species.
• Serves as the Water Quality Program lead for tracking developments in EPA’s Vessel General Permit (VGP) and for providing technical assistance.
• Serves as the state lead on the 401 certification of the VGP. Keeps the VGP webpage updated. Provides technical assistance to state government and the public in other vessel-related areas such as ship and boat hulls, vessel sewage, in-water cleaning of ships, boats, booms, and other floating devices.
• Assists EPA, ships, and toxicity testing labs in implementing federal requirements.

A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND six years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning, which includes two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above

OR

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields AND four years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning, which includes two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above

OR

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND three years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning, which includes two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above

OR

One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 4.

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

Desired Qualifications:

• Three or more years of experience that demonstrates the ability to read and understand scientific or technical literature and interpret data
• The ability to interact with scientists, and communicate complicated concepts to a wide range of audiences
• Experience that demonstrates excellent writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills

• A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
• A resume outlining your professional experience.