Environmental Scientist II

Why It’s a Great Opportunity:

If you are looking for an exciting position that allows you to work for an organization that not only supports environmental stewardship from the top down but also leads the way, the Environmental Scientist II positions with the King County Solid Waste Division (SWD) may be your perfect fit! These positions are part of a welcoming and energetic team of environmental and engineering professionals who are committed to preserving and protecting the natural resources, communities and residents of King County.

About this Role:

Environmental Scientist IIs contribute to multidisciplinary teams across the Solid Waste Division to ensure our services are provided in ways that protect human health and the environment. This opportunity covers two (2) Environmental Scientist II positions, each of which will contribute to the Solid Waste Division’s goal of environmental excellence in the following ways:

Position 1: Environmental Compliance

This position contributes to multidisciplinary teams across the Solid Waste Division to promote awareness of environmental regulations and requirements applicable to our sites and services. 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, spill prevention/response/reporting, and dangerous waste management, to name a few. Assignments may include project management, contract management, report production, software administration, data analysis, and other activities that support the Division’s environmental compliance program.

Position 2: Environmental Monitoring

This position works with a team of environmental scientists to implement the Solid Waste Division’s environmental monitoring program. In particular, this position will be integral to advancing electronic data collection and management using Earthsoft applications such as Collect and EQuIS Enterprise. This position also manages the Solid Waste Division’s well maintenance program and coordinates maintenance activities to ensure the condition of the monitoring network supports its intended purposes. In addition to the initiatives described above, this position also supports robust environmental monitoring programs for groundwater, wastewater, surface/stormwater, air, and soil.

About the Team:

The Solid Waste Division is looking for two (2) environmental professionals 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. 

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. As an Environmental Scientist II, 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.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Position 1: Environmental Compliance
  1. 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. 
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Keep track of proposed and adopted changes to regulations and permits applicable to the Solid Waste Division.
  5. 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). 
  6. Apply continuous improvement principles and prepare standard work documentation to support efficient and consistent processes throughout the Solid Waste Division environmental compliance program.
  7. As directed, provide support to Solid Waste Division projects, such as permit acquisition, small-scale project management, and contract management.

• Position 2: Environmental Monitoring

• Create, deploy, and manage Earthsoft Collect electronic data collection templates and forms.
• Provide training to Environmental Scientist I’s (ESIs) for field data entry for groundwater, surface/stormwater, air, wastewater, soils, etc.
• Manage the assessment of monitoring location conditions and identification of maintenance needs. This will include managing a monitoring well maintenance program, performing camera inspections of all groundwater wells to determine what modifications and improvements are needed, and recommendation of resource options for competing maintenance (e.g., in-house or using contractors).  
• Independently and in coordination with other Environmental Monitoring Crew members, conduct environmental sampling of groundwater, stormwater, wastewater, and other media at landfills, transfer stations, and other Solid Waste Division properties. 
• Perform quality assurance reviews of environmental data for completeness and accuracy.
• Provide project support to complete Capital Asset Maintenance Program (CAMP) projects for assessing and maintaining environmental monitoring networks.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, ecology, geology, toxicology 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
• A minimum of one year of environmental compliance work experience and broad knowledge of related technical, engineering, and scientific disciplines. Examples of relevant experience include, but are not limited to:
  1. Conducting environmental monitoring and sampling activities safely
  2. Assessing monitoring location conditions for determination of maintenance needs
  3. Performing quality assurance and control review of environmental data
  4. Understanding and interpreting environmental data, regulations and permits
  5. Preparing environmental compliance reports, including technical reports
  6. Application of environmental compliance inspection and auditing practices
• Broad knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and laws, preferably those applicable to environmental management of solid waste facilities
• Broad knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications and skill in developing and using technology-based tools to efficiently manage data, processes, and tasks
• Experience documenting standardized processes
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Skill in promoting mutual respect and acceptance of all workers in a diverse work group

Required Licenses:

• Washington State Driver License

It Would be Great if You Also Bring:

• Working knowledge of Earthsoft environmental data management programs
• HAZWOPER 40-hr certification
• HAZWOPER 8-hr Supervisor certification
• Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) certification, or similar
• Educational background or work experience implementing equity, racial and social justice principles

The Successful Candidate Will Also Have the Following Competencies:

• Communicates effectively
• Interpersonal savvy
• Action-oriented
• Collaborates
• Tech savvy

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically 2 – 4 days a month. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Common onsite locations include the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, 16650 228th Ave SE, Maple Valley, WA 98038, Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station, 18800 Orillia Rd S, Tukwila, WA 98188 and King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department’s vision of Green Where We Work.
• Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance of King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
• Work Schedule: These full-time positions work a 40-hour work week. These positions are covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and are overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: These positions are represented by PROTEC 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
• Resume
• Cover Letter

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

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Roxanne Malatesta at rmalatesta@kingcounty.gov 

Discover More About the Solid Waste Division: Visit our website at our website at Solid Waste Division and check us out at Facebook | 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.

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.

Salary : $44 - $56