Environmental Scientist III

The Department of Local Services, Road Services Division is looking for an enthusiastic Environmental Scientist Ill (ES III) to join the Environmental Unit (EU). The EU provides scientific, technical, and regulatory support for Roads' facility compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The ES III will function as Roads’ NPDES Phase I Municipal Stormwater Permit lead and will oversee NPDES-related programs such as the Decant facility, Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste, Sand and Gravel, catch basin inspection, IDDE and spill response programs. The position also provides qualified biologist duties during fish relocation efforts in support of in-stream construction projects conducted by the Division and other entities in King County. This position is open to all qualified current King County employees.
Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice.
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our commitment to “True North ” values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.Applying equity, racial, and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity, racial, and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.
 

• Act as liaison and NPDES Municipal Permit Lead between Roads and K.C. Stormwater Services Section. 
• Facilitate inter-agency communication to ensure compliance with all elements of Municipal NPDES Permit. 
• Keep EU Supervisor and management informed of significant NPDES compliance, budget or staffing implications. 
• Interpret permit conditions. 
• Complete annual report sections on behalf of Division.
• Respond to Environmental Report Tracking (ERTS) notifications from WA Dept of Ecology. Evaluate Roads responsibility and assess cleanup actions and coordinate spill response internally and with vendors. 
• Ensure compliance with permits (Sand and Gravel, Municipal NPDES, Solid Waste Facility) and hazardous waste handling and disposal site inspections, data processing, reporting, crew coordination, and training. 
• Ensure compliance with WAC, waste processing, inspections, tracking, reporting, and training.
•  Analyze, interpret, and apply federal, state, and local laws to ensure program with NEPA/SEPA and local permit/approval requirements.
• Author, coauthor, and review environmental documents in support of permit applications related to facility compliance, including SWPPPs.
• Oversee Decant facilities’ environmental compliance and related administrative systems and processes.
• Lead fish removal efforts on stream diversion projects including installing fish block nets, electroshocking, netting, and fish identification and documentation.
• Identify native and non-native adult and juvenile fish commonly found in King County streams.
• Conduct fish relocation training to staff as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

• A bachelor's degree in environmental science, or closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of applicable education and/or experience.
• Knowledge of western Washington environmental issues.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines, as well as, in harsh field conditions, often in inclement weather, hazardous conditions, or enclosed spaces while performing physically demanding tasks in the field.
• Knowledge of local/state/federal environmental regulations and permitting processes as they pertain to facility compliance.
• In depth knowledge of NPDES permits and related programs.
• Experience in fish relocation methods, including electrofishing.
•  Commitment to evolve self-awareness of racism, racialized systems, positional power, privilege and the realities of race and other socially defined categories (such as gender, gender identity, etc.).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint; ArcMap; Adobe Acrobat Pro.             

INTERVIEW PROCESS :
Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in an interview the week of November 14, 2024.
  
WHO MAY APPLY :
This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or special duty positions over the next six months. First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.
 
APPLICATION PROCESS :
A full and complete King County application is required. You may also provide a resume and cover letter, summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
  
NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Washington State Driver's License, and the ability to travel throughout the County in a timely manner.
• Employment will be contingent on the success of a pre-employment physical examination.

 

• WORK SCHEDULE:
  The typical work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position includes hybrid work locations where most office work is performed while telecommuting from home. However, in-person attendance is currently required at least six (6) times per month at the Roads facility in Renton or other Roads’ facilities throughout unincorporated King County. Some team collaboration meetings and field activities count toward the six in-person attendance requirement.

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION STATUS:
Mission-Critical Employees: Those employees who provide, maintain, and re-establish essential county functions as described in agency Continuity of Operations plans.
Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines fo r  Workforce Management in an Emergency .
 
Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.
 
UNION MEMBERSHIP:
This position is represented by PROTEC17
 
TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT:
This is a hybrid position. The work associated with this position will be performed by teleworking, onsite work and meetings as needed. The responsibilities of this position will include regular and ongoing in-office work. Field visits may occur for observation or review purposes. Field visits will take place on varied terrains and are subject to the PPE requirements specific to each project.  
 
Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
 
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
 
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.
 
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
 Jerrell Hollis
 Senior Human Resources Analyst
 206-477-4318
 
 
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 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.
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