The Waste 2 Resources (W2R) program is looking to fill a Regional Biosolids Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 4 – In-Training) position. This position will be located in our Southwest Regional Office (SWRO) in Lacey, WA.

The Regional Biosolids Coordinator position serves as a technical expert in the Waste 2 Resources Program / SWRO in biosolids management and regulation, and the promotion of biosolids. Performs independent review of biosolids and biosolids-related solid waste permit applications, makes recommendations to approve or deny permits, and writes and issues individual permits or final letters of coverage under the State Wide Biosolids General Permit in accordance with accepted scientific principles, state laws, regulations, and guidance.

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 highly technical information with diverse audiences.

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.

Duties

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 Regional Biosolids Coordinator position at the Environmental Specialist 4 level are:

Performs the following scientific activities:
• Analytical Data: Evaluates analytical data submitted following biosolids and soil analyses.
• Sampling and Analysis Plans: Reviews and critiques biosolids and soil sampling and analysis plans.
• Proposed Application Site Analysis: Reviews and makes determinations on proposed biosolids application sites.
• Agronomic Rate Calculations: In order to calculate an acceptable biosolids application rate, evaluates submitted soils and biosolids data, calculates existing soil nitrogen concentrations, determines crop nutrient needs, understands and applies nitrogen transformation dynamics, and considers the impact of previous applications of biosolids and other organic residuals.
• Pathogen Reduction Evaluations: Evaluates the methods used for achieving pathogen reduction in biosolids.
• Cumulative Pollutant Loading Rates: When sites receive biosolids that exceed the WAC 173-308-160 Table 3 pollutant concentrations, tracks for cumulative pollutant loading rates.
• Site Monitoring: Conducts onsite environmental monitoring.
Additional activities include:
• Independently implements Chapters 70.95J RCW and Ch. 173-308 WAC and administers coverage under the state biosolids general permit.
• Responds to public inquiries, provides technical assistance and regulatory expertise to applicants, agencies, local governments, sewage treatment plant operators, consultants and other interested parties.
• Manages permits to assure compliance by conducting periodic inspections.
• Responds to complaints and works with individuals to develop solutions to problems and to gain voluntary compliance with regulations or permits.
• Takes appropriate enforcement actions in response to violations, and works cooperatively with the Attorney General’s office on regulatory enforcement actions.
• Prepares, reviews, and negotiates agreed orders and enforcement orders with the regulated community; recommends and drafts compliance schedules and formal enforcement actions as necessary.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be July 6, 2018. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before July 5, 2018. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

To broaden the candidate pool, we will consider candidates that qualify at the Environmental Specialist 2, 3 and 4 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 4 (ES4). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for both the ES4 and the ES3 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the ES3 level then they will be hired in as an ES3 and will be placed in a training program to become an ES4 within a specified period of time.

At the Environmental Specialist 4 level Pay Range 55 ($4085 – $5358 monthly) Goal Class

A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND five (5) years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) 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 (3) years of professional – level experience as required above which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.

OR

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields and two (2) years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.

OR

Two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3.

At the Environmental Specialist 3 level: Pay Range 49 ($3522 – $4623 – monthly) (In-Training)

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.

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

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.

At the Environmental Specialist 2 level: Pay Range 49 ($3,203 – $4,191 monthly)(In-Training)

A Bachelor’s degree involving 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.
Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.

OR

One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 1.

OR

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields.

Desired Qualifications:

Other desired education, training, and certifications:
• Compost facility operator certification.
• Ability to calculate an agronomic application rate.
• Competency in providing direct customer service, especially dealing with irate customers or customers that refuse to comply with what is being asked of them. Training related to developing interpersonal communication skills or providing high level customer service.
• Competency or formal training in negotiations. Be able to break down stated positions and conflict into basic underlying interests and needs. Seek common interests around which agreement may be reached.

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.

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.