Environmental Scientist I

Full Job Description

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Environmental Scientist I positions throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next 6 months.

Do you have a passion for environmental protection? Do you have strong attention to detail and enjoy working outdoors? Are you committed to equity, racial, and social justice? If so, this opportunity with King County - Solid Waste Division (SWD) may be a great fit for you!

The work done by this entry-level position helps SWD understand the environmental impact of our facilities and services throughout King County. That understanding allows SWD to make informed decisions in alignment with King County goals and values.

The successful candidate will gain experience in a wide variety of environmental monitoring and sampling activities such as stormwater, wastewater, soil, and air.

They will also learn about the engineering and scientific principles in play at solid waste transfer and disposal facilities.

Mastering the core duties of this position should improve competitiveness for advancement opportunities within King County or elsewhere.

About this Role

This position works alongside other environmental professionals to implement a robust environmental monitoring and sampling program at SWD sites throughout King County, including an active landfill, several closed landfills, and transfer stations.

Environmental Scientists I spend the majority of their time working in the field, with an emphasis on safely collecting high quality environmental data.

Time spent in the office focuses on activities that support monitoring and sampling, such as equipment calibration and data quality assurance/quality control.

The successful candidate in this position will gain experience in a wide variety of environmental monitoring and sampling activities such as groundwater, wastewater, stormwater, soil, and air.

They will also learn about the engineering and scientific principles in play at solid waste transfer and disposal facilities.

About the Team

The Facility Engineering and Science Section (FESS) is a critical member of the King County Solid Waste Division (SWD) team.

Our engineers, scientists, technicians, and IT professionals, support a variety of large-scale programs and projects within SWD.

FESS is a dynamic team committed to safety, environmental stewardship, and providing critical services to the residents and businesses of King County.

Our team consists of civil, mechanical, chemical, and environmental engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, construction managers, operational technology systems engineer, IT systems architect, project managers, CAD/BIM professionals as well as surveyors and asset managers.

To learn more about SWD visit https://kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/solid-waste.aspx.

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.

In this position, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Solid Waste Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks.

Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities.

Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Requirements

What You Will be Doing:

• Follow rigorous and exacting protocols to conduct environmental sampling of groundwater, stormwater, and wastewater independently and in coordination with other Environmental Monitoring Crew members.
• Operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot 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.
• Safely drive a one-ton vehicle in a variety of conditions including on and off-road, in rural and urban settings, in daylight and darkness, and in all weather conditions to Solid Waste Division properties located throughout King County.
• Safely maneuver 150+ pound tanks of compressed nitrogen gas in and out of a one-ton truck via ramp; carry, load, and unload heavy coolers full of samples and ice, 5-gallon buckets of ice, and hike uphill with a backpack full of water samples (~35lbs) over steep, rough or marshy, and slippery terrain.
• Perform quality assurance of environmental data for completeness and accuracy.

Qualifications

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, civil engineering, hydrogeology, biology, geology, geochemistry or closely related field, or an equivalent 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.
• Demonstrated skills in interpreting and understanding environmental field data.
• Demonstrated general skills to troubleshoot and resolve equipment malfunction.
• 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.
• Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, SharePoint, and other Microsoft Office suite programs.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience working independently as well as in a diverse group.
• Demonstrated skills in prioritization and multitasking.
• Demonstrated ability to provide services to customers and stakeholders; and work collaboratively with a variety of operational staff in an industrial facility.
• Ability to safely perform the duties of this job, including physical activities, working with chemicals, performing duties outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, and driving a one-ton vehicle.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Valid Washington State Driver's License
• Successful candidates will be required to complete professional reference checks and pass a physical examination.

It Would Be Great If You Also Brought:

• Educational background or work experience related to contaminated property operation, assessment, remediation principles.
• Experience using environmental data acquisition and management software such as the EarthSoft programs Collect and EQUIS Professional or other similar software.
• Educational background or work experience implementing equity, racial, and social justice principles.
• CESCL and OSHA HAZWOPER certifications.

The Successful Candidate Will Have the Following Competencies:

• Communicates effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Resourcefulness - Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
• Nimble learning - Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Optimizes work processes - Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

Additional Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: The work associated with this position will be located: Bow Lake Recycling & Transfer Station, 18800 Orillia Rd S, Tukwila, WA 98188.

• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Protec Local 17.

Physical Environment: This position requires physical labor including bending, kneeling, standing, reaching, climbing, stooping, squatting, pushing, and twisting.

The ability to lift, carry, move, or handle up to 50 pounds, willingness to work inside but primarily outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, inclement weather while on uneven slopes, surfaces, grades and terrain and other adverse conditions such as odor, noise, dust and traffic.

This position involves work at active and closed municipal solid waste facilities, which may pose environmental, chemical, and physical hazards.

Work activities are conducted in accordance with a task-specific health and safety plan.

Application and Selection Process: We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

Offers of employment will be contingent on the completion of a satisfactory physical exam, references and upon verification of a valid Washington State Driver's License.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Cover Letter
• Optional Resume (will be reviewed if submitted)

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Susan Ng at susan.ng@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit our website at our website at Solid Waste Division and check us out at Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

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 be longing 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.

Benefits

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:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• 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: eligible King County employees may 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
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

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.