Website link here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2646744/wastewater-operator-certification-assistant-environmental-specialist-2
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is recruiting for a Wastewater Operator Certification Assistant in the Water Quality Program. This position is located in our Headquarters building in Lacey, WA.
Wastewater treatment plants serve to protect public health and our waters. The certification of wastewater treatment plant operators helps ensure they are knowledgeable and that wastewater treatment plants are properly operated and maintained. This position supports the management of the wastewater treatment operator certification program in tandem with, and under the supervision of, our Wastewater Operator Certification lead.
We are looking for applicants who have an interest in helping the careers of others by responding to requests quickly, professionally, and accurately so that wastewater treatment plant operators understand our certification requirements. The successful candidate will also be able to work closely with our Wastewater Operator Certification Lead to act as a two-person team to assist wastewater operators.
As an agency, we invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages teamwork, innovation, excellence, respect and inclusion.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts
Duties
Program Mission: The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington’s waters to support healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures state waters can support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.
The Wastewater Operator Certification Assistant supports the above missions as an environmental specialist in the Program Development Services section by ensuring timely, accurate, and helpful assistance to the Wastewater Operator Certification Lead, wastewater operators, and the public. To do this, this position communicates with and follows the administrative processes set by the Wastewater Operator Certification Lead to:
- Provide technical assistance to operators and applicants over the phone, by email, and in meetings regarding certification regulations and policies.
- Review operator applications and files for compliance with our certification requirements.
- Track a high quantity of applications and documents to ensure that they get the appropriate response.
- Enter information from applications and other documents into our Operator Certification Database and Permitting and Information Reporting System (PARIS) Database.
- Pull reports from our Operator Certification Database and PARIS Database.
- Create and update webpages.
This position will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be on December 18, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before December 17, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Please Note: This position is being reposted because an update was made to the requirements. If you previously applied, you do not need to reapply.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, public administration with an environmental emphasis, chemistry, biology, wastewater operations, or other allied field AND one year of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or environmental planning.
Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.
OR
A Master’s degree in one of the above fields.
OR
One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 1 at the Department of Ecology.
Experience must include:
- Advanced Microsoft Office and Excel skills for merging documents and conducting mailings.
- Ability to provide excellent customer service via phone and email to a high rate of incoming requests for assistance.
Desired Qualifications:
- Accuracy and attention to detail when transcribing a large number of documents.
- Knowledge of wastewater treatment plants.
- Knowledge of wastewater operator certification requirements.
- Working knowledge of web authoring software such as Kentico or Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment
Must have a valid driver’s license.
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
- 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:
This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
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.