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

The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) Program is currently looking to fill two (2) Toxics Reduction Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3)(In-Training) positions. The positions will be located in our central regional office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.

Are you passionate about reducing or removing toxic chemicals in products? Would you like to help businesses make products that are safer for people and the environment? Would you like to find and explore ways to reduce the amount of hazardous waste that is generated? The positions specialize in these activities. We work with companies on  pollution prevention plans and chemical alternative assessments to select and promote safer chemicals in industrial and manufacturing processes. The positions serve as members of the central regional office toxics reduction team and are 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 excellent people skills, good written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to listen and respect differing viewpoints.

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 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 key work activities are:

Toxics Reduction Duties

• Develops relationships with businesses and manufacturing facilities. Reviews and evaluates business and manufacturing processes. Researches, identifies, and proposes safer chemical alternatives.
• Creates comparative chemical assessments and interprets data through literature reviews, surveys, and reports focused on chemical alternatives. Writes accurate, clearly-written reports.
• Serves as a representative of Ecology who can lead efforts to support businesses and recommend chemical alternatives.
• Evaluates human health and environmental impacts of currently used chemicals versus 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.

Pollution Prevention Program Duties

• Serves as a specialist in Pollution Prevention (P2) laws, regulations, technical assistance, and outreach.
• Works with the section manager in developing regional P2 technical assistance strategies.
• Implements the Waste Reduction Act (70.95C RCW) and pollution prevention planning regulations (Chapter 173-307 WAC).
• Provides P2 technical assistance and outreach services to businesses. Assists them in evaluating possible worker health & safety issues and environmental impacts of new products or technologies.
• Provides technical assistance to businesses that use toxic substances and/or generate hazardous waste in the preparation and modification of pollution prevention plans, executive summaries, and annual progress reports. Reviews plans, executive summaries, and annual progress reports.
• Responds to questions related to waste reduction/minimization and recycling by evaluating current practices and processes and researching industry-specific waste reduction/minimization techniques.
• Independently, or as a team member, provides on-site consultations to generators of hazardous waste.
• Represents Ecology and makes presentations to the public, government, and industry groups at workshops and conferences.
• Serves on teams to develop and deliver technical assistance, improve program efficiency and effectiveness, and enhance staff knowledge.

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 areas of expertise by attending conferences, classes, and workshops to improve understanding of evolving techniques in risk assessment methods. Establishes a network with other scientists and public health professionals.
• Assures that work activities and products are communicated clearly and accurately.

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.

Required Qualifications:

At the Environmental Specialist 2 level – Pay Range: 45 ($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 (1) 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) of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2, provided that a Bachelor’s degree has been obtained in one of the above fields.

Desired Qualifications:

• 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.
• 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.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

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