Environmental Scientist I- SDA/TLT
- Summary
The Facilities Engineering and Science Section (FESS) of the Solid Waste Division (SWD) is seeking an Environmental Scientist I to assist the Field Engineering Unit located at the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill. This is a first level scientist position that will conduct environmental sampling of groundwater, storm water, wastewater, and atmospheric hydrogen sulfide independently and in coordination with other Field Engineering Unit crew members at Solid Waste Division landfills, transfer stations and other properties. Daily responsibilities include environmental field monitoring; operation and maintenance of field monitoring equipment and tools; inspection and maintenance of the environmental monitoring network; data entry; data management; complex data evaluation; and compliance reporting for the evaluation of environmental systems and engineering control systems at solid waste facilities. This position may assist with inspection of solid waste properties for compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
This is a term-limited temporary position which is expected to end in twelve (12) months with the possibility of extension. This position is available to King County career service employees as a special duty assignment.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants. King County and the Solid Waste Division values diverse perspectives and life experience and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Forms and Materials Required: Applicants must submit the (1) King County Job Application with answers to the Supplemental Questionnaire, and (2) a letter of interest detailing your background and describing how your education and experience meets the qualifications and has prepared you to perform the essential functions of the job.
Work Location: Cedar Hills Regional Landfill – 16645 228th Ave SE, Maple Valley, WA
Work Schedule: This position works a 40 hour work week, Monday through Friday with some evening and weekend work as required. A typical work day runs from 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM. This position is overtime eligible.
Examples of Job Duties:
• Conduct environmental sampling of groundwater, storm water, and wastewater independently and in coordination with other Field Engineering Group crew members at landfills, transfer stations, and other Solid Waste Division properties.
• Conduct atmospheric monitoring of confined spaces for hydrogen sulfide gas.
• Safely drive to monitoring locations in rural locations throughout King County in a one-ton vehicle on and off road, and in all weather conditions, including darkness.
• Conduct sampling following rigorous and exacting sampling protocols; legibly fill out chain of custody and field sheets and other documentation accurately and consistently.
• Lock and unlock gates and well casings, use hand and power tools safely.
• Move 150+ pound tanks of compressed nitrogen gas in and out of a one-ton truck, carry, load and unload heavy coolers full of samples and ice, 5 gallon buckets of ice, and hike uphill with backpack full of water samples (~35lbs), over steep, rough or marshy, and slippery terrain.
• Safely drive one-ton vehicle in heavy city traffic to deliver samples to environmental lab, currently in central Seattle.
• Perform quality assurance of environmental data for completeness and accuracy.
• Assist with the assessment of current monitoring well conditions and identification of maintenance needs. This may include supporting Solid Waste Division staff to perform camera inspections of groundwater wells to determine whether a monitoring well is damaged, or what modifications and improvements are needed, and whether maintenance can be performed in-house or using contractors.
• Assist with performing in-house portion of maintenance and overseeing contractors to perform specified tasks.
• Operate, calibrate and maintain field monitoring equipment and tools including: water level monitoring equipment, groundwater pumps, flow-through field monitoring cells (pH meters, conductivity meters, dissolved oxygen meters, turbidity meters), composite samplers, peristaltic pumps, gas monitoring meters, laptops/tablets to record monitoring data, and environmental database programs.
• Document field protocols and assist with report writing.
• Assessment and maintenance of stormwater monitoring stations.
• Perform other tasks to support compliance with environmental operating permits at solid waste facilities, as assigned.
Our Ideal Candidate Will Have:
• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, civil engineering, hydrogeology, biology, geology, geochemistry or closely related field, or a combination of education and experience which provides the skills to perform the duties of this job efficiently
• Demonstrated skills in performing environmental field data collection tasks following sampling protocols, related maintenance and analysis of data collected.
• Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel and Access.
• Experience using environmental data acquisition and management software such as the EarthSoft programs EDGE and EQuis.
• Demonstrated general skills to troubleshoot and resolve environmental monitoring equipment malfunction.
• Demonstrated skills in interpreting and understanding environmental field data and laboratory analytical data reports.
• Basic understanding of common environmental and/or operating permits applicable to solid waste facilities, including solid waste handling permits, stormwater permits, wastewater permits, and air quality permits.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in working independently as well as in a group.
• Demonstrated skills in prioritization and multitasking.
• Demonstrated ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, and physically able to walk on uneven ground and be able to stoop, bend, lift and climb sufficiently to reach and open well casings, manhole covers, storm grates, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to provide public service to customers and public stakeholders, and work collaboratively with a variety of operational staff of an industrial facility.
Our Most Competitive Candidate Will Have:
• Educational background or work experience in performing environmental field assessments of basic landfill engineering elements. Examples may include, but are not limited to: wastewater and/or leachate control systems, storm water treatment and control systems, groundwater monitoring networks, confined space atmospheric evaluation and/or landfill gas system control.
• HAZWOPR certification.
• Familiarity with contaminated property operation, assessment, remediation principles.
Necessary Special Requirements:
• Physical Requirements:o Ability to lift 35+ lbs• A valid Washington State Driver's license or the ability to commute to work locations expeditiously as work requires
o Ability to stand and/or sit for extended periods of time
o Ability to bend, squat, and reach
o A pre-employment physical test will be required if selected for this position
• The candidate in this position will be required to work alone in rural locations, in all types of inclement weather, in the dark and on all types of terrain.
Union Membership: Positions in this classification are represented by Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17.
Contact Information: Please contact Jemima McMahon, HR Analyst at Jemima.McMahon@kingcounty.gov for questions regarding this announcement.
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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01Do you have a Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, civil engineering hydrogeology, geology, geochemistry or closely related field?
- Yes
- No
02If you checked "Yes," please briefly describe your education.03If you checked "No" to question #1, do you have any other combination of education and experience which provides the skills to perform the duties of this job efficiently?- Yes
- No
04If you checked "Yes" to question #3, please briefly describe your other combination of education and experience which provides the skills to perform the duties of this job efficiently.05Do you have experience using environmental data acquisition and management software?- Yes
- No
06If you checked "Yes" to question #5, please briefly describe your experience using environmental data acquisition and management software.07Do you have work experience or educational background in performing environmental field assessments of basic landfill engineering elements?- Yes
- No
08Do you possess a HAZWOPR certification?- Yes
- No
Required Question