Lead Spill Responder/Dangerous Waste Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Lead Spill Responder/Dangerous Waste Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response program.

Location:

• Eastern Region Office in Spokane, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• This position involves field work and office work; You may telework most of your office work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities. 
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by December 18, 2025
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties

In this role, you will respond to spills of oil and hazardous materials and respond to illegal drug manufacturing facilities to remove chemicals dangerous to human health and the environment. You will manage complex human health and environmental emergencies – and, as a result of our clean-up efforts, will experience immediate benefit to Washington’s residents and environment. You will work with a multi-disciplinary team and use science to solve complex environmental and public health challenges. Working with other federal, state, local and tribal partners, you will serve as Ecology’s State On-Scene Coordinator leading the response and cleanup of complex environmental spills.

Preventing spills is always our first goal, but despite our efforts, spills still happen. The goal of our spill preparedness work is to reduce environmental impacts of spills. We require oil handlers in Washington to be ready for a rapid, aggressive, and well-coordinated response to spills. We also require those responsible for spills to compensate the state for spill damages by restoring natural resources.

What you will do:

• Emergency Response to Spills & Threats: Respond to high-priority and complex environmental and human health emergencies, including oil spills, hazardous substances, abandoned waste, pressurized cylinders, fish kills, and illegal drug labs.

• Incident Command & Coordination: Serve as Initial Incident Commander / State On-Scene Coordinator, directing spill containment, cleanup, resource deployment, and multi-agency coordination.

• Hazardous Materials Operations: Perform hands-on cleanup and field operations: opening containers of unknowns, sample collection, field testing and hazard categorization, overpacking, and preparing waste for shipment.

• Dangerous Waste & Drug Lab Leadership: Lead regional coordination with law enforcement for clandestine drug lab responses and oversee dangerous waste management compliance, disposal, and emergency planning.

• Enforcement & Cost Recovery: Initiate enforcement recommendations, issue Short-Form Penalties up to $5,000, support cost recovery actions, and testify in administrative or legal proceedings as needed.

• Team Leadership, Training & Readiness: Provide training, mentoring, scheduling, equipment readiness oversight, HAZWOPER compliance tracking, and ensure readiness of personnel and response assets.

• Equipment, Vehicle & Instrument Management: manage operation, calibration, maintenance, and safe use of response equipment, vehicles, boats, and monitoring instrumentation.

• Documentation, Reporting & Data Analysis: Prepare incident reports, regulatory records, waste tracking documents, enforcement documentation, and support regional data analysis and report preparation.
  

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Experience performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the position, that includes one or more of the following:
• Responding to spills or other emergencies
• Conducting sampling and analysis studies
• Working with monitoring instrumentation
• Managing hazardous waste disposal
• Performing cleanup or restoration actions
• Writing scientific or analytical reports
• Hazardous materials emergency response
• Responding to natural disasters.
Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
• Experience directing cleanup work on environmental spill emergencies or hazardous materials cleanup sites.
• Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.
• Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.
• Conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.

Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Hazardous Materials Technician Certification per WAC 296-824 and 296-843 is required. Must have prior hazardous materials emergency response experience.
ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 certification is required. Free on-line ICS training and certification is available at:
ICS 100:https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.c
ICS 200:https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-200.c
ICS 700:https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-700.b
ICS 800:https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-800.c

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must hold and maintain a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must pass employment medical surveillance physical and demonstrate and maintain the ability to wear respiratory protection and chemical protective clothing. 
• Must pass a physical agilities test.
• Must be able to pass a detailed background check required to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
• Must successfully complete initial SAFETRAC requirements and other required training outlined in Spills Program Policy and Procedures within 6 months of entering the position.
• Must be prepared for a minimum 3-day field deployment within 1 hour of notification.
• Must hold and maintain eligibility and certification (valid passport or enhanced driver’s license) to permit travel to Canada in the event of a transboundary spill.
• This position is required to pass a periodic medical surveillance exam, which may include a stress test.
• This position is identified as an Essential Agency Employee and is expected to work during facility closures and natural disasters.
• This position is required to perform after-hours on-call duty on a rotation.
• Must notify supervisor immediately if the employee is unable to obtain any of the above required licenses or certifications, or if any of the above are revoked, expired or suspended for any reason.
• Must live within a 60-minute commuting distance of the Eastern Region Office.

Desired Qualifications:

• Team leadership experience
• Working Knowledge of the NW Area Contingency Plan
• Familiarity with Washington Labor and Industry HAZWOPER safety regulations and experience developing site-specific health and safety plans
• Experience working in Unified Command with the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Coast Guard, tribes, and Law Enforcement partners.
• Possess a high level of knowledge using electronic tools and integrating them into emergency responses; tools such as GPS devices, wireless networks, and data systems
• Experience collecting waste and environmental samples, and conducting community air monitoring

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Application Process

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 job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Sam Hunn at Sam.hunn@ecy.wa.gov 
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

The Spills Program’s mission is to protect, preserve, and restore Washington’s environment. Our vision is to create a zero spills world. 

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology 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. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

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.

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.

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, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

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.

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

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.

Ecology Job Opportunities | Careers at Ecology