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 Planner and Outreach Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3) position. This position will be located in our Central Regional Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.

Solid Waste Planner and Outreach Specialist position serves as the regional source for solid waste planning in the Central Region. This position will assist counties in updating comprehensive solid and hazardous waste management plans and encourages incorporation of principles contained in the State Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan. This position is expected to promote elements of the State Solid and Hazardous Waste Plan as well was waste prevention, reduction, and recycling education. This position is expected to maintain and build collaborative relationships. This includes working collaboratively and problem solve in the face of challenging expectations, logistics, financial and resources constraints in materials management and recycling.

We are looking for applicants who have excellent people and communication skills, who like collaborating with others in person via community meetings and remotely through email, phone, and videoconferencing. We are looking for someone who can be a team player, positive attitude, and who quickly bounces back from setbacks and doesn’t mind a challenge.

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.ecology.wa.gov.

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

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 Planner and Outreach Specialist position include:

Regional Solid and Hazardous Waste Planning Implementation and Program Management – Serves as the technical and procedural resource for counties updating comprehensive solid and hazardous waste management plans by providing guidance, support, and review.  Supports implementation of these plans by guiding improvements.

Tasks and Responsibilities include:

Assistance to Local Government Planning.  Assists public works directors, solid waste managers, city and county officials, local solid waste advisory committees (SWAC) and other stakeholders to evaluate and prioritize solid and hazardous waste reduction and management issues. Evaluates incentives and barriers for reuse and recycling and proposes strategies for marketing the incentives and overcoming the barriers. Identify opportunities and evaluate management alternatives. Provides or partners with agency staff to provide technical assistance and specialized expertise during local and state plan development and actively participates in local SWAC meetings to inform and educate stakeholders.  Looks for opportunities to work with planning jurisdictions on cross-regional projects and other collaborative efforts supportive of the state plan, other program, and local priorities or needs. Researches successful programs in other states and Canada and recommends approaches that could be applied in Washington state. Attends planner’s JAG. Acts as a back-up to the regional grant officer.

Administration of Local Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plans.  Reviews and provides comments on the preliminary and final plan, coordinates review and comments with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission and recommends plan approval or denial to the section manager in accordance with state solid waste regulations.  Assures appropriate interlocal agreements and resolutions have been executed in agreement with the plan.

Coordination of State and Local Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Planning.  Coordinates with agency regarding solid and hazardous waste management issues of mutual interest.  Actively participates in, or leads when appropriate, the Planners Job-Alike Group as it reviews and discusses issues and makes recommendations to program management regarding program policy and direction.  Communicates with local planning jurisdictions to assure appropriate consistency with statewide planning goals and directives, and brings local government interests, concerns and perspectives to statewide issue discussions and processes.

Facility Specialist – Under the supervision of the region’s senior facility specialist and direction of a licensed hydrogeologist provides technical assistance to local health departments, solid waste operations, facilities, and assist in reviewing environmental reports.

Tasks and Responsibilities include:

Technical Assistance. Assist the region’s senior facility specialist, licensed hydrologist, and regional engineer in providing technical assistance to local health and solid waste facilities. This may include entering, analyzing data, preparing technical reports for review by a superior, observing and conducting field work. Assume the lead role in providing technical assistance regarding the region’s Moderate Risk Waste facilities, and act as a back-up in supporting the region’s senior facility specialist in other areas and attend associated FIT JAG meetings.

Data Analysis, Technical Review, and Field Technical Assistance.  Assist licensed hydrogeologists in reviewing and entering data from groundwater monitoring reports into agency environmental data tracking programs. Under the supervision of a licensed hydrogeologist track and analyze trends of different contaminates and prepare technical reports for review.  Assist local governments overseeing solid waste facility operations in entering and organizing data, and collecting field measurements for sampling groundwater.

Operator/Inspector Training Course. Under the supervision of the region’s senior facility specialist, licensed hydrologist, engineer, work to collaborate with other Waste 2 Resources program staff to develop a landfill and moderate risk waste facility operating and inspector training and certification course. The course(s) may include, among others, the scientific methods and principles of landfill practices, environmental protection, hazardous waste prevention and handling practices, hydrogeology, and interpretation of groundwater data including field surveying techniques and technical reporting. After developing the course, implement the course, oversee administration, and improvements.

Community Education. Provide education to the community about solid waste planning and benefits of recycling. This may include educating elected officials, making classroom visits, attending public events, and other education and outreach efforts.

This position provides someone with the opportunity to network, build collaborative relationships, and push forward advancements in materials management and recycling to conserve natural resources. This position also oversees capital facility projects involving grant funds, has the opportunities to gain knowledge about solid waste facilities regulation and hydrogeology, and is able to provide education and outreach opportunities to youth in our communities. This position will enable someone to gain a diverse range of experiences and build skills that will enable them to potentially take on higher level positions in the agency in the future.

Note: Long distance travel outside of the normal 8 AM – 5 PM is expected, must have good communication skills and be able to speak in front of the public, must be able to take criticism from non-agency members about the work that Ecology is doing and be courteous/understanding about their remarks.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be March 19, 2018.  In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before March 18, 2018. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied fields including, but not limited to public health or health and safety management and two (2) years of professional-level experience in environmental planning, health or safety planning, environmental analysis, or environmental control, education, teaching, or related area.

Must be able and willing to work with youth and teachers in the public school system. Maybe required to pass background check if requested.

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

OR

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

OR

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields.

OR

One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2.

Must hold a valid Driver’s License or be able to obtain one within the first month of employment.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience with environmental planning and regulation, teaching, and public speaking.

Experience and/or academic training in solid waste management, teaching, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, Washington state laws, regulations, guidelines, and/or sustainable resource management practices.  Be willing and able to keep abreast of state-of-the-art technology, research and innovation in waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling, have an ability to understand, interpret, apply and provide technical assistance in accordance with these laws, regulation, guidelines, and other sustainable resource management practices.

Prior planning, public speaking, education & training curriculum development, solid waste implementation, or enforcement job experience. Job experience working under the supervision of a professionally licensed individual.

General knowledge of Washington state laws, regulations and guidelines that govern solid waste and waste reduction and recycling. Experience interpreting, applying and providing technical and regulatory assistance in accordance with these laws, regulations and guidelines. Understanding of the state solid and hazardous waste management plan as it applies to Central Washington counties and assists local government efforts to implement projects consistent with the plan.

Experience and/or training in providing direct customer service, especially with customers that are dissatisfied, irate or do not want to do what is being asked of them.  Experience working as a member of a team assigned to develop and complete a project.  Training related to developing interpersonal communication skills or providing good customer service.

Why work for Ecology?

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State’s environment.

A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS),  Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth

Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information