Closure/Post-Closure Compliance Inspector (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training)

  • Washington State Department of Ecology
  • Richland, WA
  • Dec 06, 2022
Full time Government

Job Description

Per Governor Inslee’s Directive 22-13.1, state employees must be fully vaccinated effective November 4, 2022. Providing proof of being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment and your vaccine status will be verified prior to starting work. Being fully vaccinated means two weeks after you have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, licensed or otherwise authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or listed for emergency use or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  


Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) is looking to fill a Closure/Post-Closure Compliance Inspector (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training) position. This position is located in our Richland Field Office (RFO) in Richland, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
In this position, you will serve as a section expert on inspecting Hanford Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) that are undergoing closure or that require post-closure monitoring. This role provides an excellent learning opportunity, as you will receive extensive training on dangerous waste regulations and inspection techniques. You will have the opportunity to inspect 37 facilities across the Hanford site, and you will get broad experience on how to research and understand large and complicated treatment, storage and disposal operations. As this work focuses on closure/post-closure facilities, you will also have the opportunity to work closely with and learn from engineers and hydrogeologists.
We are a cohesive unit of 7 inspectors helping ensure that Hanford and other mixed waste facilities manage waste safely.  Come join our team!

Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment and to promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations.  
Program Mission: The Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) mission is to lead the effective and efficient cleanup of the United States Department of Energy’s Hanford Site; to ensure sound management of mixed hazardous wastes in Washington; and to protect the state’s air, water, and land at and adjacent to the Hanford site.
Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible to telework two days per week during initial training and familiarity. Further telework options will be available after that time. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and is subject to change.
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of December 14, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before of December 13, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

About the Department of Ecology

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. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan
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.

Our commitment to DEIR
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. 

 

Duties

What makes this role unique? 

Our closure/post-closure units have long and interesting histories dating back more than 30 years. These units disposed of mixed radioactive/dangerous waste, requiring a working knowledge of radiation in addition to hazardous waste. In this role, closure actions are coordinated with Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA aka “Superfund”) offering the opportunity to learn these extensive sets of regulations. You will enjoy independent work during inspection scopes and reports, and you will also work as part of a team during peer review and revision of reports.

What you will do: 

  • Research the process history and compliance history of each of 37 facilities as you prepare to inspect them.
  • Consult with the permitting team and your fellow inspectors, put their suggestions into your inspection scope, and develop inspection questions.
  • Go to Hanford facilities, inspect them on a walk-through, and ask questions of facility personnel.
  • Assess each facility’s compliance with regulations based on your research and site visit.
  • Write inspection reports that identify corrective actions for any compliance issues that you find.
  • Work with your inspection team and the permitting teams to ensure that corrective actions are made in a timely manner.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

This is an In-Training position. The goal class for this position is Environmental Specialist 4 (ES4). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Environmental Specialist 2, 3, or 4 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the ES2 or ES3 level, then they will be hired as an ES2 or ES3 and will be placed in a training program to become an ES4 within a specified period of time.

At the Environmental Specialist 2 level: Range 45 ($3,650 - $4,777 per month) (In-Training)

Five (5) years of combined experience and / or education:
 
Experience: 
In environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.

Education: Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

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

Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degree - as listed above.Years of required experience – as listed above.Combination 1No college credit hours or degree.5 years of experience.Combination 230-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.4 years of experience.Combination 360-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).3 years of experience.Combination 490-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.2 years of experience.Combination 5 A Bachelor's Degree.1 year of experience.Combination 6 A Master's Degree or higher.No experience.
OR


One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 1, at the Department of Ecology.

At the Environmental Specialist 3 level: Range 49 ($4,013 - $5,268 per month) (In-Training)


Six (6) years of combined experience and / or education:

Experience: 
In environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.

Education: 
Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

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

Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degree - as listed above.Years of required experience – as listed above.Combination 1No college credit hours or degree.6 years of experience.Combination 230-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.5 years of experience.Combination 360-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).4 years of experience.Combination 490-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.3 years of experience.Combination 5 A Bachelor's Degree.2 years of experience.Combination 6 A Master's Degree.1 year of experience.Combination 7A Ph.D.No experience.
OR


One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2, at the Department of Ecology.

At the Environmental Specialist 4 level: Pay Range 55 ($4,656-$6,105 monthly) Goal Class

Nine (9) years of combined experience and / or education:

Experience: In environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.

Education: 
Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:
 
Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degree - as listed aboveYears of professional level experience - as listed aboveCombination 1No college credit hours or degree.9 years of experience.Combination 230-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.8 years of experience.Combination 360-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).7 years of experience.Combination 490-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.6 years of experience.Combination 5 A Bachelor's Degree.5 years of experience.Combination 6 A Master's Degree.3 years of experience.Combination 7A Ph.D.2 years of experience.
OR

Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3, at the Department of Ecology.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:


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

  • Prior experience regulating or working at a hazardous waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) facility is desirable.

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 on 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 (such as 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 John Price at John.Price@ecy.wa.gov Please do not contact John 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

Environmental Protection-Conservation

Salary

$55,872.00 - $73,260.00 Annually

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