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 Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) Program is currently looking to fill a Toxics Reduction Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3 – In-Training) position. The position will be located in our Central Regional Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.

The Toxics Reduction Specialist position serves as an environmental specialist representing the HTWR Program. This position specializes in pollution prevention plans and chemical alternative assessments with selection of safer chemicals in industrial processes. This position serves as one of two members of the central regional office (CRO) toxics reduction team focused on providing technical assistance to businesses and industry, communicating the assessment of safer chemical alternatives and working on pollution prevention evaluations.

We are looking for applicants who possess good written and verbal communication skills, excellent people skills, possess the ability to listen and respect differing viewpoints and the ability to remain calm, professional and respectful in sometimes stressful interactions.

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 Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) Program is made up of people dedicated to fostering sustainability, preventing pollution, and promoting safe waste management. We do many different things in a coordinated approach to protect the people and environment of Washington from pollution from hazardous products and waste.

Some of the work activities of the Toxics Reduction Specialist at the (Environmental Specialist 3 Level) are:

Pollution Prevention Program Duties

• Serves as an environmental specialist in Pollution Prevention (P2) laws, regulations, technical assistance, and outreach.
• Acts as P2 Technical Assistance Officer (43.12A RCW) for the Central Region’s pollution prevention planning program. Provides assistance to other P2 staff and compliance staff within the region.
• Works with the section manager in developing regional P2 technical assistance strategies and the corresponding biennial resource allocations.
• Provides background, perspective, and interpretation regarding the implementation of the Waste Reduction Act (70.95C RCW) and pollution prevention planning regulations (Chapter 173-307 WAC).
• Provides P2 technical assistance and outreach services to business, industry, local government, the public, and staff within Ecology. Assists them in evaluating possible worker health & safety issues and environmental impacts of new products or technologies.
• Provides technical assistance to hazardous waste generators and toxic substance users in the preparation and modification of pollution prevention plans, executive summaries, and annual progress reports. Reviews plans, executive summaries, and annual progress reports.
• In response to questions related to waste reduction/minimization and recycling, evaluates current practices and processes, researches industry-specific waste reduction/minimization techniques, prepares written and oral responses and documents. Develops oral and written responses to inquiries on waste reduction and recycling technologies and regulations.
• Independently or as a team member, provides on-site consultations to hazardous waste generators. Represents Ecology and makes presentations to the public, government, and industry groups at technical workshops.
• Serves on teams to develop and deliver technical assistance, improve program efficiency and effectiveness, and enhance staff knowledge.

Reduction Program Duties

• Develops and obtains access to business and manufacturing facilities, reviews and evaluates business and manufacturing processes, then identifies and proposes safer chemical alternatives to business and industry.
• Leads comparative chemical assessments and interprets data through literature reviews, surveys and/or reports focused on chemical alternatives. Writes accurate, clearly written reports.
• Serves as a representative of Ecology that can lead efforts to support business industry and recommend chemical alternatives.
• Evaluates human health and environmental impacts of currently used chemicals against less toxic chemical alternatives.
• Evaluates and reviews chemical hazard assessments and contributes to the adoption of green chemistry principles.
• Responds to inquiries regarding pollution prevention plans and practice.

HWTR Program Duties

• Reviews environmental and exposure data. Reviews literature, laboratory and field data and recommends research or modifications to remedy data gaps or inaccuracies.
• Maintains and improves area(s) of expertise by attending applicable conferences, classes, workshops and/or seminars to improve understanding of evolving techniques in risk assessment methods. Establishes network with other scientists and public health professionals.
• Is responsible for assuring that assessment results are communicated clearly, adequately and accurately to management, other agencies, the public and the press as needed.

To broaden the candidate pool, we will consider candidates that qualify at the Environmental Specialist 2 or 3 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 3 (ES3). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Environmental Specialist 2 or 3 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the ES2 level, they will be placed into a training program to become an ES3 within a specified period of time.

Required Qualifications:
 
At the Environmental Specialist 2 level – Pay Range: 43 ($3203 – $4191) Monthly

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 year of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.

OR 

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields.
 
At the Environmental Specialist 3 level – Pay Range: 49 ($3522 – $4623) Monthly

A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND two (2) years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

OR 

A PH.D in one of the above fields.

OR 

One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2, provided that a Bachelor’s degree has been obtained in one of the above fields. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to obtain access to business and manufacturing facilities, perform independent review and evaluation of business and manufacturing processes, then identify and propose safer chemical alternatives to business and industry.
• Knowledge of Washington’s pollution prevention rules and programs.
• Experience working with business and industrial waste management is preferred.
• Experience working with waste reduction is preferred.
• Work experience or coursework within the fields of green chemistry and/or safer chemical alternative selection is preferred.
• Knowledge of business and industrial processes involving hazardous substances and the generation of hazardous wastes in order to analyze the feasibility of alternative chemicals, and reduce hazardous material use and waste generation.
• Ability to interact with a wide variety of individuals and exercise the soft skills needed to network within business and industrial communities.
• Ability to present technical information (written and through presentation) with clarity to a wide audience.

 
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must have, or be able to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license.