Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

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. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.
 
The Waste 2 Resources (W2R) program is looking to fill a Solid Waste Facilities Lead (Environmental Specialist 5) (In-Training) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.
 
The Solid Waste Facilities Lead position serves as the Waste 2 Resources (W2R) Program’s designated scientific technical expert for the enforcement and compliance of regulations as promulgated by the program. They will also serve as a statewide expert in the application and interpretation of state solid waste regulations and be the primary point of contact for solid waste, material recovery, landfills, permit exempt solid waste handling facility compliance, and illegal solid waste disposal, recycling, and hauling issues. The position requires responding to highly complex and politically sensitive inquiries, drafting legislation and regulation as a policy specialist, taking enforcement actions, and representing the agency by testifying at court, public hearings, or conferences.
 
We are looking for applicants who possess excellent people skills, the ability to quickly assess a situation and make a decision and the ability to communicate with a diverse audience.
 
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

The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s land, air and water for current and future generations.

The mission of the Waste 2 Resources (W2R) program is to reduce the amount and the effects of wastes generated in Washington State.

Some of the key work activities of the Solid Waste Facilities Lead at the Environmental Specialist 5 level include:

• As the statewide program expert, serves as the designated lead for enforcement and compliance of regulations promulgated by the W2R program.
• Represents the Program on the department’s Enforcement Coordination Team and will be responsible for reviewing, updating and creating any W2R Program Enforcement Guidelines or other enforcement related documents as necessary.
• Provides scientific and professional knowledge to consult with other W2R employees for any program enforcement actions.
• Works with the Exempt Facilities Lead to develop and implement an Exempt Facilities Enforcement strategy and protocol.
• Serves as the statewide lead on solid waste laws regulations and implementation of these laws and regulations over time, primarily in the arena of seafood processing waste and biomass.
• Develops key revisions, interpretations and clarifications of the relevant solid waste regulations.
• This position develops and makes recommendations for and implements program elements including legislation, rules, guidelines, and policies supporting proper seafood management and material recovery operations that are protective of human health and the environment. Using scientific principles, evaluates and makes determinations of by-product materials produced as a result of material recovery operations, which may lead to a classification as either solid or hazardous waste.
• Represents the Program and/or Agency on a state or national level on solid waste issues through participation in associations, workgroups, and other initiatives as assigned. Represents the Program at legal or public hearings, legislative hearings, and conferences.
• Serves and acts independently as the regional solid waste facility compliance lead for all types of solid waste handling facilities in the SWRO. Reviews solid waste facility permit applications and supporting documents for conformance with applicable regulations and approved local comprehensive solid waste management plans.
• Recommends specific permit conditions to the jurisdictional health department.
• Evaluates and recommends Ecology action on requests for variance from the regulations and permit appeals to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.
• Provides technical guidance to jurisdictional health departments for conducting field inspections and making recommendations for improvement of facility operations when appropriate.
• Analyzes environmental data to verify compliance with standards for the above facilities, conducting sampling when appropriate.
• Collaborates with the section’s hydrogeologist and solid waste engineer to provide full-range, coordinated services.
• Coordinates with other Ecology programs to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
• Recommends enforcement action in the event regulatory requirements are not met.
• Serves as a historical resource and represents the agency at meetings and hearings.

 
To broaden the candidate pool, we will consider candidates that qualify at the Environmental Specialist 4 or 5 levels. Please read the qualifications section below to learn more about this exciting career growth and in-training opportunity.

The goal class for this position is an Environmental Specialist 5 (ES5). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Environmental Specialist 4 or 5 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the ES4 level, they will be placed into a training program to become an ES5 within a specified period of time.

Required Qualifications:

At the Environmental Specialist 5 level: Pay range – 59 ($4506 – $5920) Monthly

A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, or another allied field AND six (6) years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.

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

OR

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields AND four (4) years of professional-level experience as required above which includes two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.

OR

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND three (3) years of professional-level experience as required above which includes two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.

OR   

One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 4.                             
 
 
 
 
At the Environmental Specialist 4 level: Pay range – 55 ($4085 – $5358) Monthly

A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, or another allied field AND five (5) years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.

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

OR

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields AND three (3) years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one (1) year as or equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years as or equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.

OR

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two (2) years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one (1) year as or equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.  
 
OR

Two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3. 


                           

Application Instructions