Environmental Lab Scientist- Field

Full Job Description

This is a great opportunity for an energetic and enthusiastic person with excellent scientific and technical skills to join our team.

The Field Science Unit is a group of active and innovative scientists.

We are looking for an Environmental Laboratory Scientist, someone excited about science and the health of our region’s people and ecosystems.

If you are interested in a position that combines your technical talents with an opportunity to support efforts to protect our environment actively, this job may be for you!

About the Role: The Field Science Unit (FSU) provides outstanding sampling and data collection services for King County’s Water and Land Resources, the Wastewater Treatment Division, other King County agencies and regional partners. FSU works within King County and beyond, utilizing vehicles and vessels to conduct operations on land and water. This is a demanding but rewarding in-person job. Environmental sampling is conducted outdoors and in all types of weather. There is a lot of variety in the day-to-day work. FSU scientists spend a large amount of time in the field using state-of-the-art equipment to collect samples and data. Responsibilities include in-lab tasks as well as field assignments. Each team member participates in most routine projects, which include frequent scheduled samplings of marine and freshwater bodies. We also do monitoring in King County sewage and stormwater facilities. Each person in FSU coordinates field aspects of specific projects.

Our work includes developing sampling plans, preparing bottle kits, scheduling work and processing field data. Each team member spends time using and maintaining field instruments and equipment. We communicate and coordinate with other lab units, the project managers, people in other King County Departments, and sometimes regulatory agencies or educational institutions. The person hired into this position will be responsible for maintaining the Field Science Unit’s fleet of Sea-Bird instruments and equipment and participate in managing and maintaining remote monitoring buoys and moorings. This will include managing data produced by the Sea-Bird and associated instruments.

About the Team: The Field Science Unit is a team of active and innovative scientists. The work unit of (approximately) nine (9) people shares a variety of indoor and outdoor functions. We collaborate to complete tasks and solve problems. We frequently spend long days in vehicles or onboard vessels. The successful candidate will be someone who functions well independently or as part of a team. Ideally, you will bring energy, curiosity, self-motivation and strong technical and problem-solving skills. We are seeking applicants with previous experience in environmental monitoring to bring complementary abilities to the team. We are particularly seeking applicants with knowledge of and skills relating to Sea-Bird Scientific instrumentation plus water quality buoys and moorings. New members of FSU develop their skills with training and decreasing oversight by more experienced team members. We promote cross-training and cultivate a culture of continuous learning.

Commitment to Equity, Racial, and Social Justice: King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Environmental Lab Scientist- Field (Environmental Laboratory Scientist II ), you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Requirements

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

• Perform environmental sampling and data acquisition using a variety of equipment, instrumentation and methods. Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAPs) and Quality Assurance Plans (QAPs).
• Function as a deck hand/scientist/technician on research vessels (e.g. R/V Sound Guardian); safely trailer and operate smaller boats; safely operate motor vehicles
• Calibrate, operate, deploy, maintain and troubleshoot field instrumentation; perform and document associated QC tasks

• Work collaboratively with Field Science Unit team, lab personnel and project planners/customers to accomplish sampling and data quality objectives

• Follow safety requirements and guidelines, maintain situational awareness in a fast-changing outside-of-lab environment; recognize and react appropriately to potential hazards; identify and utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Perform in-lab tasks such as preparing instruments/equipment, prepare field sampling kits, enter field data to Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), schedule sampling events, collaborate on project planning and management tasks

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS YOU BRING:

• Experience and proficiency collecting environmental samples and data following Standard Operating Procedures, QA/QC protocol, Sampling and Analysis Plans, etc.
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology or similar scientific discipline or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Experience and proficiency with using water quality and other types of field instrumentation and equipment aboard scientific vessels.

Experience and skill in calibrating, operating and troubleshooting of scientific equipment including Sea-Bird Scientific instruments such as Conductivity/Temperature/Depth instrument packages and Hydro-Cat Eps.

• Experience generating, processing and reviewing large datasets generated by Conductivity/Temperature/Depth instrument packages, water quality moorings, etc.
• Ability to understand and adhere to safety protocols; ability to use Personal Protective Equipment; ability to maintain situational awareness in complex and changing environments.
• Skill in communicating verbally and in writing; ability to use basic Microsoft products such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to use and troubleshoot telemetered instruments and equipment associated with moorings, buoys and other types of environmental sampling equipment.
• Experience with and skill in using hydraulic lifting equipment.
• Captain’s license (OUPV/6-Pack, etc) or documentable progress towards license.
• Knowledge of and experience with research vessel systems, vessel maintenance procedures.
• Experience with/knowledge of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Additional Information