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, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.

The Air Quality Program (AQP) is looking to fill an Eastern Regional Smoke Management Expert (Environmental Specialist 4) position. This position is located in our Eastern Regional Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.

The Eastern Regional Smoke Management Expert position serves as the regional smoke management expert in technical and data analysis for the use of weather forecasting models. Mentors staff on the use of weather forecasting models, and the ability to use science, modeling, and the interaction with geography to make smoke management decisions on a daily basis. This positions serves as the regional expert in Agricultural and Outdoor burn permitting. This position is key to implementing the critical outdoor burn permitting and smoke management program in 12 counties in Eastern Washington.  

We are looking for applicants who are team players, possess excellent people skills, have 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

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field and five years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or 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. 

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

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.  

Note: 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.
 
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.

Desireable Qualifications

• Preferred education and advanced experience in computer programs/ applications such as Access, Excel, GIS, Web Applications (FrontPage, Perl, etc.), modeling, etc.
• Can be relied upon to achieve excellent results with little need for oversight; earns the trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness and professionalism in all interactions; logically integrates various ideas, intentions, and information to form effective goals, objectives, timelines, action plans, and solutions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with a diverse set of clients and coworkers.
• Ability to identify and advocate for changes necessary to better meet client needs.
• Research and Investigation: Determines sources of information and methods for informational gathering and analysis; provides guidance on program investigations; may conduct more complex investigations and prepare cases for enforcement action and hearings.
• Experience in compliance and enforcement is desirable as well as high level analytical/ reasoning skills.
• Ability to withstand times of high stress and complete goals with time constraints during these periods with minimal mistakes.

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:
Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Driver’s License.

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