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 (SWM) program is looking to fill a Western Washington Recycling Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3)(In-Training) position. This position can be located in either our Headquarters building in Lacey, WA, or in our  Northwest Regional Office (NWRO) in Bellevue, WA.

The Western Washington Recycling Specialist position works under general direction and provides assistance to local governments and the waste management industry with building or enhancing waste reduction, recycling and reuse programs throughout Western Washington.

We are looking for applicants who possess excellent people and communication skills to foster relationships with local government and internal teams. We seek a person that works well with teams and takes direction from lead staff, but is also a self-directed initiator who facilitates meetings with local governments and fosters partnerships with little direction. Applicants should enjoy travel throughout Western Washington and be excited about promoting and expanding waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs.

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  Solid Waste Management (SWM) program’s mission is to reduce the amount and the effects of wastes generated in Washington State.

Some of the key work activities of the Western Washington Recycling Specialist include:

Promotion of Waste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, and Sustainable Materials Management:

• Partnering with local governments and the private sector in Western Washington to implement and expand waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs.
• Helping with statewide sustainable material management projects in a team environment.
• Researches successful sustainable materials management programs and approaches from across the country and around the world, coordinates with other Ecology staff, helps identify funding and other resources, plans and conducts meetings, facilitates implementation of projects, and reports on outcomes.

• Educates local governments, waste handling facilities, and other stakeholders on opportunities to enhance or create programs via meetings, workshops, conferences, or other events.
• Investigates and understands opportunities and obstacles for effective waste reduction, reuse, and recycling methods.
• Prioritizes efforts on materials which data show make up a large portion of the discarded waste stream or provide highest environmental benefits from waste reduction, reuse, or recycling.

Technical Assistance for Sustainable Materials Management Programs:

• Responds to questions and requests for technical assistance using knowledge of sustainable materials management.
• Provides scientific and technical consultation and assistance to other agency staff, local governments, and state and federal agencies on environmental impacts of various activities.
• Assists local governments in Western Washington in implementing their sustainable materials management efforts.  This may include helping with collection and educational events.
• Conducts on-site visits of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling projects in order to learn best practices, provide assistance, or gain information useful to the goals of the position.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be August 19, 2019.  In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before August 18, 2019.  The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

If the location of this position is in Bellevue then compensation will include the additional 5% premium pay that this position will receive due to this position’s location in King County.

Qualifications
The goal class for this position is an Environmental Specialist 3 (ES3). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Environmental Specialist 1, 2 or 3 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the Environmental Specialist 1 or 2 level then they will be hired in at that level and will be placed into a training program to become an Environmental Specialist 3 within a specified period of time.

Required Qualifications:

At the Environmental Specialist 1 Level – Pay Range: 38 ($2,912 – $3,774) Monthly

A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, or other allied field.

Experience at or above the Environmental Technician level or equivalent will substitute year for year for education.

At the Environmental Specialist 2 Level – Pay Range: 45 ($3,432 – $4,492) 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.

OR 

One (1) year as an Environmental Specialist 1 with the Department of Ecology.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute year for year for education.

At the Environmental Specialist 3 Level – Pay Range: 49 ($3,774 – $4,953) Monthly

A Bachelor’s degree 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.

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 (1) year as an Environmental Specialist 2 with the Department of Ecology.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute year for year for education.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with environmental planning and education, 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.
• Able to keep abreast of state-of-the-art technology, research and innovation in waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling.
• Ability to understand, interpret, apply and provide technical assistance in accordance with these laws, regulation, guidelines, and other sustainable resource management practices.
• Experience working as a member of a team assigned to create and complete a project.
• Training related to 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

Supplemental Information
Application Instructions