Waste Inspector

Full Job Description

Are you passionate about protecting the delicate balance between our vibrant King County communities and our ecosystems? The Solid Waste Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources is looking for a dedicated Waste Inspector (Health and Environmental Inspector I) to join our team!

As part of the Division’s Recycling & Environmental Services Section (RES) Waste Stream Compliance & Enforcement Unit (WSCE), the Waste Inspector will escort customers at Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, inspect waste loads from both commercial and self-haul customers, ensure compliance with King County’s Waste Acceptance Rule, and manage regulated waste materials.

About this Role:

The Recycling and Environmental Services (RES) Section leads the Division’s work to create a more circular economy through recycling and environmental stewardship programs, and some of its compliance programs.

Notable among the compliance programs are waste stream compliance & enforcement, construction and demolition, green building, household hazardous waste and “Wastemobile” service, product stewardship, school education, and resource recovery.

The primary functions of this role are to support King County Solid Waste Division’s (KCSWD) compliance with environmental regulations, protecting public health, safety, and welfare.

Working independently and as a team with all KCSWD Sections at solid waste system facilities across King County.

Other responsibilities include handling and transporting hazardous waste, including biomedical waste, data collection, and customer service.

The Waste Inspection team plays a crucial role in regulatory compliance, worker and facility safety, and environmentally sound waste management at county recycling and transfer stations, drop boxes, and landfill.

About the Team:

The King County Solid Waste Division (KCSWD) is responsible for the public solid waste system that services the people and communities of unincorporated King County and most cities within King County.

KCSWD is the lead King County agency for delivering the Zero Waste of Resources goal for the region, which will reduce valuable materials sent to the landfill by up to 70%.

KCSWD operates the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, ten transfer facilities, nine closed landfills, and many programs to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems.

The Recycling and Environmental Services (RES) Section leads the Division’s efforts on prevention, reuse, recycling, product stewardship/EPR, policy, market development, environmental stewardship, the circular economy, green building, household hazardous waste collection, school education, grant program management, and resource recovery, waste stream integrity and several compliance programs including waste stream compliance and enforcement.

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:

• Conduct and document inspections of selected loads of waste received at KCSWD facilities for the presence of unacceptable waste and report violations of the King County Waste Acceptance Rule when observed
• Conduct and document initial investigations of suspected/confirmed waste acceptance violations
• Provide Waste Clearance Landfill Disposal service by making/managing customer appointments and escorting customers disposing of special wastes at the landfill
• ensure that special wastes received meet the required conditions of disposal
• Manage limited quantities of hazardous and biomedical waste
• Provide Junk Vehicle Affidavit Service, as needed.

Qualifications

Qualifications You Bring:

• Relevant experience in an environmental, scientific, or technical field, and at least one year of solid or hazardous materials handling experience, or three years of regulatory or hands-on experience managing solid waste or hazardous materials or wastes,
  • OR, any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability and skills to perform the scope of job duties of the position
• Ability to integrate equity and social justice principles into job responsibilities, and maintain positive and productive working relationships with a diverse workgroup and customers
• Experience managing priorities and working independently
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor under challenging conditions, and handle conflict well
• Ability to positively, productively, and respectfully work with solid waste customers to educate them about waste acceptance policies and requirements
• Learn and implement rules and regulations, and follow standard procedures.

Competencies You Bring:

• Customer Focus - Skilled in building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Decision Quality - Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Action Oriented - Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Interpersonal Savvy - Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Courage - Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Asbestos Building Inspector Certification
• 40-hour HAZWOPER training
• Washington State Patrol Junk Vehicle Inspector Certification

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift up to 35Lbs multiple times per day.
• Must be able to push a Hand Truck up a loading ramp with up to 100lbs.

Workplace Exposure:

• This position requires outdoor work in various weather conditions for long periods of time.
• Exposure to Hazardous Materials and multiple kinds of regulated waste, including Dangerous Wastes (Radioactive, Explosive, Toxic, and Biomedical Wastes)
• Exposure to loud noise in industrial areas

Additional Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: This position will be working onsite at the following locations: Collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104), Bowlake Recycling and Transfer Station (18800 Orillia Rd S, Seattle), and the Cedar Hills Landfill (16645 228th Ave., SE. Maple Valley).
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. 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 17.

Duration: This recruitment aims to fill a Career Service (Regular) and a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position with an anticipated duration of 12 months.

If the TLT position is filled by a King County employee who has completed their initial probation, they will be offered the role as a Special Duty Assignment.

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.

A complete application is required. To apply, submit a Complete Application and cover letter. A Resume is highly recommended, but is optional. Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Prakash Meloot at prakash.meloot@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit 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 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 Americans 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.