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 Litter/Recycling/MRW Specialist
(Environmental Specialist 3) position. This position will be located in our Northwest Regional Office (NWRO) in Bellevue, WA.

The Litter/Recycling/MRW Specialist position independently provides outreach to local planning jurisdictions and public works departments to assist counties and cities to develop, improve, implement and evaluate solid waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs.  Promotes the concept of sustainable resource management and serves as a technical resource or facilitates partnerships to develop and implement such programs and projects. 

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. Some additional qualities we are looking for are:

• Facilitation skills.
• Experience working with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Experience working for at least one piece of the solid waste system – whether local government (ideal), hauler (outreach staff), or end-user.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Project management experience.
• Initiative to pursue issues rather than waiting for work to arrive on their desk (self-directed).
• Solution focused.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

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 Waste 2 Resources Program’s 30-year vision is to transition to a society where waste is viewed as inefficient, and where most wastes and toxic substances have been eliminated.

Some of the key work activities of the Litter/Recycling/MRW Specialist  include:

• Participates in the activities of the Moderate Risk Waste (MRW) Coordinators.
• Interact with local governments giving technical assistance on the handling of MRW and help assure conformance with solid waste and other rules and laws.
• Work with youth and their supervisors in helping create a safe workplace and a good first job learning experience for the youth.
• Identifies and evaluates emerging issues in the realm of recycling.
• Reviews MRW facility permits, operations plans applications and supporting documents for conformance with applicable regulations for moderate risk waste collection sites.
• Promotes the concept of sustainable resource management and serves as a technical resource to local government implementation of such programs.
• Develops expertise in one of the three State Solid Waste Plan Initiatives.
• Assists Regional Litter Coordinator in hiring, training, supervision, evaluation, corrective action, and termination of all regional EYC crew personnel, including crew supervisors and crew checkers.

Please Note: This recruitment is open to current Department of Ecology employees only. This includes employees working on temporary and project assignments at the Department of Ecology.

Please Note: The salary range shown above for this position is 5% higher than standard Environmental Specialist 3 positions due to assignment pay that is given based on this position’s location.

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

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

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 or equivalent.

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.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with environmental planning and regulation, teaching, and public speaking.
• Experience and/or academic training in solid waste management, 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, 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.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Must pass annual Washington State Criminal History Background Check and maintain a Driver’s License with a good driving record.
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