Environmental Technician
- Description
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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 Solid Waste Management Program (SWM) is looking to fill an Environmental Technician position. The position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.
The Environmental Technician position supports the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Program’s mission to reduce wastes through prevention and reuse; keep toxics out of the environment; and safely manage what remains. This position performs technical duties that support professional environmental staff by maintaining the 1-800-RECYCLE data system and staffing the 1-800-Recycle Hotline. This position also supports staff by collecting, analyzing, and organizing solid waste related environmental data.
We are looking for applicants that:
- Enjoy working cooperatively with other staff as part of a team.
- Provide excellent customer service over the phone and e-mail.
- Possess a strong attention to detail, as they’ll be updating data.
- Have a desire to help the public learn about recycling opportunities.
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
- Duties
The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s land, air and water for current and future generations.
Some of the key work activities of the Environmental Technician position include:
- Answers the 1-800 RECYCLE hotline to inform callers where to take their recyclables.
- Contacts businesses and local governments to verify what recyclables they accept to ensure the 1-800-RECYCLE hotline database is up-to-date.
- Collects, Analyzes, and organizes solid waste related environmental data for projects like the Annual Recycling Report and statewide curbside recycling map.
- Works with other staff on the 1-800-RECYCLE web interface improvement project, to increase public accessibility to online recycling information.
What is this position expected to accomplish?
- This is a frontline position answering real-time questions from the public about recycling information. In addition to customer service, the successful applicant will spend the majority of their time collecting, analyzing, and entering data for the 1-800-RECYCLE Hotline database, annual recycling report, and other assignments.
What kinds of problems does this position get to solve?
- This position provides solutions to the general public and businesses about where to take their recyclables, as well as where to safely dispose of household hazardous waste. The 1-800-RECYCLE Hotline is also undergoing its first interface upgrade in over 15 years. This position is critical in making sure that recycling information is updated accurately so there is no misinformation to the public under the new interface.
Interesting aspects of the position:
- This is a great entry-level opportunity for anyone interested in working at the Department of Ecology or in the waste management field. You’ll be able to showcase your customer service, team work, and data management skills. The 1-800-RECYCLE Hotline, established in 1971, was the first of its kind in the nation. It has a proud tradition of customer service that the successful applicant will be able to continue.
Challenging aspects of the position:
- Occasionally, you’ll have to provide customer service to an irritated or an irate caller. Rarely when requesting data from a facility you may get an agitated respondent. Due to the hours required to cover the 1-800-RECYCLE hotline, this is a Monday through Friday position.
Culture of the team:
- We have experienced and highly-productive staff who are passionate about what they do.
Please Note: This is a Non-permanent position that is scheduled to end June 30, 2019.
- Qualifications
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Required Qualifications:Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
AND
Two (2) years of technical or clerical-level experience in an environmental agency or office.
College-level course work in environmental, physical or natural sciences, or closely related field may be substituted, year for year, for the required experience.
Additional requirements:
- Proficiency with Microsoft products (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
- Experience working with or managing data or a data system.
Desired Qualifications:
- One (1) year experience in a customer service oriented field.
- Knowledge of environmental issues, especially solid waste and recycling, in Washington State.
- Supplemental Information
- Application Instructions
Please include the following documents as an attachment to your application:
- A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
- A resume outlining your professional experience.
Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile’s resume text field.Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume” may disqualify you from further consideration.Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-6186.
If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”
Other Information
If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Blake Nelson at: bnel461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Blake to inquire about the status of your application.
The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.
This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.
The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
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More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work. Check with the agency human resource office for specific benefit information.Insurance BenefitsEmployees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.Retirement and Deferred CompensationState Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems‘ web site.Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Vacation (Annual Leave)You begin accruing vacation starting your first month of employment. Since we value your loyalty, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Vacation accrues for full-time employees per WAC 357-31-165.
Holidays
Full-time employees are entitled to eleven* paid holidays:
HOLIDAYDATENew Year’s DayJanuary 1Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthdayThird Monday in JanuaryPresidents’ DayThird Monday in FebruaryMemorial DayLast Monday in MayIndependence DayJuly 4Labor DayFirst Monday in SeptemberVeterans’ DayNovember 11Thanksgiving DayFourth Thursday in November & Friday afterChristmas DayDecember 25Personal HolidayEmployee’s selection each calendar year*Employees who are members of certain Unions are entitled to an additional personal leave day of their choice. Please refer to specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Social SecurityAll state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.Sick LeaveFull-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Paid sick leave may be used for reasons included in WAC 357-31-130.Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information.
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01
How did you hear about this job posting?
- Community Based Organization
- Community / Technical College
- Ecology Employee
- Ecology Recruiter
- Ecology Jobs Page
- Job Board
- Job Fair
- Newspaper
- Other State Agency
- Other Website
- Professional Association
- University Job Board
- WorkSource
- www.careers.wa.gov
02If you selected Community Based Organization, Community / Technical College, Job Board, Job Fair, LinkedIn Group, Newspaper, Other State Agency, Other Website, Professional Association, University Job Board or WorkSource location then please share which one.03Do you have a high school diploma or GED equivalent?
- Yes
- No
04Please select the statement that best describes your technical or clerical experience in an environmental agency or office.
- I have at least six months of experience.
- I have at least one year of experience.
- I have at least two years of experience.
- I have three or more years of experience.
- None of the above statements apply.
05Please describe your experience related to question number 4. The following information is needed: position title(s), specific duties, and periods of employment. An incomplete answer, including “please see resume” may remove you from further consideration.06Please select the statement that best describes your college level coursework in environmental, physical or natural sciences or closely related field.
- I have at least one year of college level coursework.
- I have at least two years of college level coursework.
- None of the above statements apply.
07Please list the college level coursework you have taken in environmental, physical or the natural sciences.08Please describe your experience in customer service, in three paragraphs or less. The experience can be professional, academic, or volunteer.09Please describe your experience in data collection, analysis, and/or entry, in three paragraphs or less. The experience can be professional, academic, or volunteer.Required Question
- Agency
- State of Washington
- Address
- View Job Posting for Agency InformationView Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
- Phone
- View Posting for Agency Contact
- Website
- http://www.careers.wa.gov