Senior Water Quality Inspector

  • Washington State Department of Ecology
  • Shoreline, WA
  • May 18, 2022
Full time Scientific Government

Job Description

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Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  


Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Water Quality Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Senior Water Quality Inspector position. This position is located in our Northwest Regional Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA. You will have the opportunity to telework the majority of your time, and should live within a commutable distance to our Shoreline office for in-person meetings, activities, and Seattle for field work. 


This position is our program's expert in industrial stormwater permit implementation and enforcement in the Duwamish River watershed, with an emphasis on industrial facilities and contaminated properties. In this position, you will have the opportunity to make a difference by helping to reduce toxics through stormwater management alongside environmental justice initiatives.


The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington's waters to support healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures state waters can support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.     

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people.
Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
  • An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
  • Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.


Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions. 

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive. 

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work. 

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement. 

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business needEcology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.  
Please Note: The salary posted above includes the additional 5% premium pay that this position will receive due to this position's location in King County.
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of May 17, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before May 16, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.  

Duties

What makes this role unique? 

You will provide statewide leadership and on-the-ground implementation of new and ongoing water quality initiatives involving stormwater and toxic pollutants, so that point and non-point sources of pollution are controlled. This priority work is located on the banks of the Duwamish River, an area of historical industry in a community which has been negatively affected by the environmental, social, and economic impacts of pollution.  

You will address high-priority toxic pollutants, using both traditional and non-traditional stormwater best management practices. You will work to reduce stormwater pollution in areas that are in close proximity to underserved populations. 



What you will do: 

  • Plan, coordinate, and conduct inspections and enforcement actions for facilities that fall under the Industrial Stormwater General Permit, Constructions Stormwater General Permit, and Boatyard General Permit.
  • Help facilities within the Duwamish River estuary reduce the pollutants they discharge to this environment. 
  • Work with the Industrial Stormwater General Permit Implementation team to clarify permit language, and identify and develop tools and guidance to help facilities meet permit requirements.
  • Develop sampling strategies to identify contaminants that aren't typically found in routine stormwater management and compliance activities.
  • Conduct compliance assurance activities to leverage compliance with permits, rules, and laws including enforcement actions.
  • Work with other Water Quality staff to implement and refine statewide initiatives to reduce stormwater pollution, with a focus on reducing pollution in overburdened communities.
  • Collaborate with professional engineers, planners and hydrogeologists to develop and implement stormwater treatment technologies, toxics reduction plans, and monitoring/assessment strategies.
  • Co-chair the Duwamish Inspectors Group to ensure work is coordinated among the multiple agencies working in this area. This includes sharing data, reviewing complaints, and identifying facilities for join inspections.
  • Represent Ecology at technical conferences, stakeholder forums, and public meetings involving stormwater management, toxic pollutant controls, and the Duwamish River.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

Option 1

Ten (10) years of education and/ or experience:

  • Education: involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.
  • Experience: in stormwater management or a related environmental field.

Experience may include a combination of the following:

  • Investigating environmental complaints or violations
  • Performing inspections or field investigations
  • Explaining complex environmental rules or regulations
  • Recommending compliance or enforcement options
  • Planning, developing, and conducting data collection, and analyzing the results
  • Assisting businesses with regulatory requirements, including explaining options for coming into compliance
  • Conducting scientific studies or environmental data analysis


Option 2

  • A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied filed.
  • Six (6) years of experience in stormwater management or a related environmental field, which may include experience as listed in Option 1 above.

 
Option 3
 

  • A Master’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field. 
  • Four (4) years of experience in stormwater management or a related environmental field, which may include experience as listed in Option 1 above.

 
Option 4
 

  • A PhD involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.
  • Three (3) years of experience in stormwater management or a related environmental field, which may include experience as listed in Option 1 above.

 Option 5
 
One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 4 at the Department of Ecology.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:

Possible Combinations | College credit hours or degree | Years of required experience

Combination 1 | No college credit hours or degree | 10 years of experience

Combination 2 | 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits. | 9 years of experience

Combination 3 | 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree). | 8 years of experience

Combination 4 | 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits. | 7 years of experience

Combination 5 | A Bachelor's Degree | 6 years of experience

Combination 6 | A Master's Degree | 4 years of experience

Combination 7 | A PhD | 3 years of experience


Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

  • Must have a valid driver's license



Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

  • Experience with industrial stormwater management and treatment under Clean Water Act regulations.
  • Experience working with toxic pollutants involving chemistry, pollution prevention, or sampling and analysis.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Supplemental Information


Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

  • Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
  • If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
  • If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.   

Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

  • A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
  • A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
  • Three professional references.


Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

  • Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
  • Do not attach documents that are password protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 


Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees: 
 
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Amy Jankowiak at: Amy.Jankowiak@ecy.wa.gov Please do not contact Amy to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email 
careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information 

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.


Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.


Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days. 

Occupations

Building-Construction Inspection, Environmental Protection-Conservation, Environmental-Geological Testing & Analysis

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Salary

$62,664.00 - $82,320.00 Annually

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