Environmental Scientist II

Summary

The Solid Waste Division (SWD) is looking for one environmental professional to join a welcoming and dedicated team of environmental scientists and engineers who are committed to preserving and protecting the natural resources and communities within King County.

Is environmental protection important to you? Alongside other environmental professionals, this position contributes to projects and programs to ensure environmental regulations and permit conditions are met while delivering resource recovery and waste disposal services throughout King County.

Do you like variety? This position contributes to programs covering a wide variety of local, state, and federal environmental regulations, permit programs, and other requirements commonly applicable to the operation of industrial sites.

Do you enjoy a challenge? The solid waste industry and environmental regulations are constantly changing and SWD must adapt to continue delivering high-quality services to its customers.

About this Role

The Environmental Scientist II contributes to multidisciplinary teams across the Solid Waste Division to ensure our services are provided in ways that protect human health and the environment. This position will play a key role in modernizing the Division’s system for tracking environmental activities, maintaining environmental plans, and reporting environmental outcomes to stakeholders. This position will support a wide variety of programs, such as solid waste management, industrial wastewater management, surface and groundwater quality, air quality, incident prevention, response and reporting, and dangerous waste management, to name a few. Assignments may include project management, contract management, report production, software administration, data analysis, development of tools to improve efficiency/quality, and other activities that support the Division’s environmental compliance program.

This position performs work both remotely and on-site.

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.

Job Duties

What You Will be Doing:

• In collaboration with senior compliance personnel, complete tasks to fulfill and/or coordinate fulfillment of requirements specified in solid waste, wastewater, stormwater, air, and other environmental permits and regulations applicable to the Solid Waste Division.
• Gather and assemble information to document compliance with various environmental regulations and permits applicable to Solid Waste Division facilities. Prepare compliance reports for submittal to regulatory agencies and other stakeholders. Manage information and records related to environmental compliance to facilitate efficient and effective access by a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Review, collate, and analyze environmental data to evaluate environmental control systems performance, long-term trends, and to provide insight on environmental conditions at Solid Waste Division facilities.
• Keep track of proposed and adopted changes to regulations and permits applicable to the Solid Waste Division.
• Develop, configure, and use environmental tracking tools to disseminate compliance-related activities and schedules as well as monitor compliance outcomes. Tools may include continued use of existing systems (e.g., SharePoint libraries), implementation of systems currently under development (e.g., Maximo), and/or new tools developed as part of this position (e.g., Power Automate workflows).
• Apply continuous improvement principles and prepare standard work documentation to support efficient and consistent processes throughout the Solid Waste Division environmental compliance program.
• As directed, provide support to Solid Waste Division projects, such as permit acquisition and small-scale project management.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, ecology, geology or closely related field or any combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the skills and knowledge to perform the scope of job duties of this position.
• Experience in environmental compliance work experience and broad knowledge of related technical, engineering, and scientific disciplines.
• Experience preparing environmental compliance reports, including technical reports.
• Experience documenting standardized processes.
• Broad experience using Microsoft 365 applications and skill in developing and using technology-based tools to efficiently manage data, processes, and tasks.
• Skill in promoting mutual respect and acceptance of all workers in a diverse work group.

It Would Be Great If You Also Brought:

• One or more certifications related to continuous improvement such as Lean, Six Sigma, etc.
• One or more certifications related to widely used software applications such as Microsoft 365 apps, etc.
• Experience using Maximo Application Suite (MAS)

The Successful Candidate Will Have the Following Competencies:

• Tech Savvy: Anticipating and adopting innovations in business- building digital and technology applications.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: The FESS team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is: King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

• Work Schedule: Thís 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.

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.

To apply, submit a:

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

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

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.