Graduate Intern - PFAS in Consumer Products
King County
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Business Management
Posted on November 28, 2024
Salary
$47,070.40 - $59,675.20 Annually
Location
Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA
Job Type
Intern
Job Number
2024SD23240
Department
DPH - Public Health
Division
Environmental Health Svcs
Opening Date
11/27/2024
Closing Date
12/16/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit
Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time
Part Time
Would you like to learn how to screen and detect heavy metals and forever chemicals in everyday consumer products? Washington Residents are exposed to lead and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (or PFAS) every day when using consumer products. This position offers an exciting opportunity to join our teams efforts to identify these products. You will also help us develop a new x-ray fluorescence methodology to detect PFAS. You will build your technical skills while also furthering the program's efforts to address PFAS in consumer products.
Haz Waste is currently working with the University of Washington to develop rapid screening methods for an x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer to detect fluorine, which is used as an indicator of the presence of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products. This position would support this work and other XRF analyzer research projects for both PFAS and lead to identify products toxic chemicals in products and recommend safer alternatives for King County residents and small businesses.
This position is anticipated to last through September 2025 with a possibility of extension.
Commitment To Equity and Social Justice
Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all - in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx
Required:
Forbes 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. To reach this goal 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 principles - 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.
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 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.
Who may apply:
Graduate students from University of Washington. Eligible candidates must have an affiliation with the University of Washington in order to support a University of Washington led collaboration on work associated with Washington States Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5950. For more information, see page 790 of the Bill: https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5950-S.SL.pdf?q=20240823113517
Application Process
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 following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
Necessary Special Requirements
This position will be 10-15 hours/week between Monday-Friday. This position is non- exempt and is eligible for overtime.
Some of the work associated with this position will be performed through teleworking, and will report to office location and to meetings as needed. Travel to other work locations may be necessary. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
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. 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.
Work location:
This position is located at the Chinook Building, 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104.
Union Membership
This position is not represented by a labor union.
Contact
For questions about this recruitment, please contact Sarah Dunkinson, sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov .
This position is not eligible for King County leave, holiday, insured, or other benefits. Please contact the recruiter on the posting for any additional questions regarding associated benefits.
$47,070.40 - $59,675.20 Annually
Location
Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA
Job Type
Intern
Job Number
2024SD23240
Department
DPH - Public Health
Division
Environmental Health Svcs
Opening Date
11/27/2024
Closing Date
12/16/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit
Z3 : KC Personnel Guidelines
Full- or Part-Time
Part Time
Summary
Would you like to learn how to screen and detect heavy metals and forever chemicals in everyday consumer products? Washington Residents are exposed to lead and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (or PFAS) every day when using consumer products. This position offers an exciting opportunity to join our teams efforts to identify these products. You will also help us develop a new x-ray fluorescence methodology to detect PFAS. You will build your technical skills while also furthering the program's efforts to address PFAS in consumer products.
Haz Waste is currently working with the University of Washington to develop rapid screening methods for an x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer to detect fluorine, which is used as an indicator of the presence of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products. This position would support this work and other XRF analyzer research projects for both PFAS and lead to identify products toxic chemicals in products and recommend safer alternatives for King County residents and small businesses.
This position is anticipated to last through September 2025 with a possibility of extension.
Commitment To Equity and Social Justice
Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all - in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx
Job Duties
- Help design screening protocols and standard operating procedures for measuring fluorine in various consumer products and matrices.
- Screen and sample consumer products using the XRF analyzer and compare results with other analytical methods, including Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emissions (PIGE) and mass spectroscopy-based methods.
- Establish criteria for selecting consumer products to test based off existing literature, community input, and state and federal regulations.
- Conduct literature reviews on XRF screening methods.
- Present results with project stakeholders and develop community outreach materials to support safer product use.
- Analyze data and report on findings obtained from XRF screening and other analytical methods.
- Other duties as assigned.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Required:
- Active enrollment in a graduate degree program at the University of Washington, preferably in the field of environmental & occupational health sciences, public administration, community public health practice, or other allied field.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate information succinctly and clearly in written and oral formats.
- Strong time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Ability to understand technical concepts related to indoor air quality and explain them in simple terms.
- Ability to work independently and as a team member while using initiative, attention to detail and follow through with work assignments.
- Competent in Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Word and Excel.
- Demonstrated experience in the development, use, and administration of survey data collection tools.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and adherence to Department policies pertaining to the access of Personal Identifiable Information (PII).
Supplemental Information
Forbes 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. To reach this goal 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 principles - 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.
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 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.
Who may apply:
Graduate students from University of Washington. Eligible candidates must have an affiliation with the University of Washington in order to support a University of Washington led collaboration on work associated with Washington States Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5950. For more information, see page 790 of the Bill: https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5950-S.SL.pdf?q=20240823113517
Application Process
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 following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Cover letter - Addressing how this opportunity how this supports your career goals
Necessary Special Requirements
- The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
- The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
- For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring . For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en .
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
- If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
This position will be 10-15 hours/week between Monday-Friday. This position is non- exempt and is eligible for overtime.
Some of the work associated with this position will be performed through teleworking, and will report to office location and to meetings as needed. Travel to other work locations may be necessary. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
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. 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.
Work location:
This position is located at the Chinook Building, 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104.
Union Membership
This position is not represented by a labor union.
Contact
For questions about this recruitment, please contact Sarah Dunkinson, sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov .
This position is not eligible for King County leave, holiday, insured, or other benefits. Please contact the recruiter on the posting for any additional questions regarding associated benefits.
