Environmental Scientist I
- Summary
The Department of Local Services (DLS), Road Services Division (Roads) is looking for an enthusiastic Environmental Scientist I to join the Environmental Unit (EU). The EU provides scientific, technical, and regulatory support for Roads’ capital improvement (CIP) projects, maintenance programs, and maintenance facilities. This position will support the EU’s diverse workload by providing environmental data collection, analysis, and construction support for CIP, maintenance projects, and ongoing mitigation sites. The position will also apply technical and scientific expertise in the areas of stormwater pollution prevention, solid waste/hazardous waste management, and spill response at maintenance facilities and in Roads’ right-of-way. This position is open to all qualified applicants.
First round of interviews is tentatively scheduled for the week of February 7, 2022.- Job Duties
Scope of Job Duties: To be considered for this opportunity, you must, at a minimum, demonstrate knowledge, skill, and ability to:
- Assist with on-site inspection and desktop environmental review including soil/water contamination screenings, critical area reviews, and assessing existing environmental conditions.
- Assist with monitoring, maintenance, data processing, and documentation of Roads’ mitigation sites, including the identification, reporting, and removal of noxious and invasive weeds.
- Participate in the preparation of technical documents and maps in support of obtaining federal, state, and local environmental permits/approvals.
- Assist with the development, update, and maintenance of various Roads Maintenance facility plans including: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans, Monitoring Plans, Erosion and Sediment Control Plans, Site Management and Spill Control Plans.
- Assist with groundwater, surface water, stormwater, and surface or sub-surface soil sampling.
- Maintain and implement sampling and monitoring QA/QC procedures and assist with the calibration and routine maintenance of sampling and monitoring equipment.
- Assist with response, coordinating cleanup actions, and reporting for spills in the King County road right-of-way, maintenance construction sites, and Roads owned properties.
- Assist with Solid and Hazardous waste management at Roads facilities and right-of-way, including proper handling, storage, transportation, cleanup, disposal, and documentation. Assist with coordinating waste disposal with contracted vendors.
- Assist with regular facility inspections as required by NPDES, Hazardous Waste, and Solid Waste regulations.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
We are looking for candidates who have:
- A Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, ecology, environmental science, planning, or closely related field; OR an equivalent background of education and experience
- One or more of the following certifications/licenses:
- OHSA 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations (HAZWOPER), with current 8-hour refresher
- DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation
- RCRA Hazardous Waste/WA Dangerous Waste Management
- Basic knowledge of western Washington environmental issues and ecology, including native plant identification
- Knowledge of environmental monitoring approaches
- Electrofishing experience
- Skilled in on-site inspection, field notetaking, and data management
- Skilled in reading and interpreting engineering plans, specifications, drawings and technical maps, and documents
- Basic surveying skills using laser or optical instruments
- Skill in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, and Access; ArcMap; Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Ability to work in harsh field conditions, often in inclement weather
- Ability to perform physically demanding tasks in the field
- Ability to work under tight deadlines
- Oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrated team building skills: ability to collaborate, work, resolve conflicts, and make decisions in a team environment
- Support the County’s anti-racism and pro-equity agenda
- A proven and action-oriented commitment to evolve self-awareness of racism, racialized systems, positional power, privilege and the realities of race and other socially defined categories (such as gender, gender identity, etc.)
- Supplemental Information
- This position is represented by PTE Local 17
- This position is non-exempt and is overtime-eligible.
Why King County?- Competitive – healthcare plans
- Free – transportation options
- Manager Support – structured employee assistance program
- Paid – vacation time (in addition to paid holidays)
- Paid – sick leave
- Paid – parental leave
- Deferred – compensation plan
- Ten – paid holidays
- Awesome Employee Giving Program!
TEMPORARY TELECOMMUTING REQUIREMENT
The work associated with this position will be performed remotely, at least through October 2021 in compliance with King County’s telecommuting mandate. It is likely that work will be primarily performed remotely on an ongoing basis after October 2021. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer.
To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT
As of October 18, 2021, most* King County employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID[1]19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by October 18th. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation. This directive applies to employees in the Executive branch*, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
King County is the local service provider for the roughly quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county. Taken together, the population in unincorporated King County would be the second-largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. The Director’s Office includes a robust Community Service Area group focused on identifying and responding to the needs of urban and rural unincorporated King County residents and business. The department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivery of local services to all unincorporated areas.
ABOUT THE DIVISION
Unincorporated King County is home to roughly a quarter million people. Collectively, these communities would be the second-largest city in the state. Millions more use the roads to access jobs and recreational activities in urban and rural King County. The Roads Services Division is committed to ensuring the county's road system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel.
The division is faced with a long-term structural funding problem, yet is responsible for 1,500 miles of roads and 182 bridges, 5.7 million feet of drainage ditches, over 44,000 traffic control signs, 78 traffic signals, and 50 traffic cameras in unincorporated King County.
ABOUT KING COUNTY
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. We are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding values--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx
Are you ready to APPLY?
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
The recruitment for this position is open to all applicants. A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a cover letter and resume.
If you have any questions, please contact Arlecier West, HR Analyst, by e-mail at arwest@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at 206-263-3216
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Are you applying to this position as an eligible Current or Previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
02If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoffRequired Question