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PCB Monitoring Lead (Natural Resource Scientist 4)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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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 Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a PCB Monitoring Lead (Natural Resource Scientist 4) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.

As Ecology’s Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) statewide Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) Monitoring Lead, you will be responsible for establishing long-term PCB monitoring stations in seven rivers draining into Puget Sound. Data collected from this effort will provide reliable long-term measurements of PCB concentrations and loads in WA Rivers that can be used in Total Maximum Daily Load studies, effectiveness monitoring studies, PCB fate and transport models, bioaccumulation models, and in Ecology’s Water Quality Assessment under the Clean Water Act. In this role, you will lead one field staff to assist in implementation of the monitoring program. A recent settlement from the State of Washington v Monsanto Co. lawsuit for damages and cleanup costs caused by PCBs has provided the funding for this monitoring program.

This position is housed within Ecology’s Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) under the Statewide Coordination Section (Toxics Studies Unit or TSU). EAP’s mission is to measure, assess, and communicate environmental conditions in Washington. We work to improve the environment for current and future generations through innovative and excellent science and thriving partnerships. The Toxics Studies Unit conducts long term monitoring and source identification and environmental forensics studies for toxics across the state. 

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 embrace 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 need. This position is flexible, no current requirements to work in the office. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding building occupancy, mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 
   
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of December 13, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before December 12, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Duties


What makes this role unique? 
In this position, you will bring an expert level of experience in environmental toxics monitoring design and be familiar with various methods and techniques in the collection of toxics in riverine environments. You will be an active participant in workgroups and collaborate with regional partners. As a senior level Natural Resource Scientist 4 (NRS4), you will also be responsible for leading and providing technical expertise to a mid-level (NRS2) Natural Resource Scientist 2 (NRS2) to assist in implementation of the monitoring program.   

What you will do: 
  • Act as Ecology’s subject matter expert for Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) monitoring in freshwater aquatic habitats across the state. 
  • Define and strategize a regional monitoring approach in coordination/collaboration with internal Ecology programs and external key stakeholders; design and author/write the study plan and Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP).
  • Publish findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and disseminate the work of the Toxic Studies Unit and Ecology at regional and national conferences. 
  • Prepare and use specialized scientific equipment, calibrate instrumentation, collect and prepare environmental samples of various media (water, soil, sediment, tissue).
  • Conduct advanced statistical analysis and quality assurance review of environmental data.
  • Assist and mentor other professional staff in designing PCB monitoring studies across the state. 
  • Provide technical review of junior and senior staff departmental publications, regulation, SOPs and environmental criteria. 
  • Transport water monitoring equipment and samples to various sites throughout Washington.



Qualifications

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

Option 1:
Six (6) years of professional research work experience in an environmental toxics specialty field; sampling and analysis, fate and transport, source identification, toxicology, chemistry, and other related specialty fields AND
A Bachelor’s degree with major study in environmental science, toxicology, chemistry, biology, and related science degrees.

Option 2:
Four (4) years of professional research work experience in an environmental toxics specialty field; sampling and analysis, fate and transport, source identification, toxicology, chemistry, and other related specialty fields AND 
A Master’s degree with major study in environmental science, toxicology, chemistry, biology, and related science degrees.

Option 3: 
 
Three (3) years of professional research work experience in an environmental toxics specialty field; sampling and analysis, fate and transport, source identification, toxicology, chemistry, and other related specialty fields AND 
A Ph.D. degree with major study in environmental science, toxicology, chemistry, biology, and related science degrees.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 
  • Must possess 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 in communicating with staff, internal clients, stakeholders, and management to define project scopes, study designs, and project deliverables. 
  • Experience designing and managing environmental toxics studies projects.
  • Experience collecting environmental samples of water, sediment or fish tissue for contaminant analysis.
  • Training or education in toxicology and the effects of toxic chemicals on organisms in the environment. 
  • Experience analyzing data and writing technical reports or publishing findings in scientific journals. 
  • Experience in leading and mentoring senior level technical staff.

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 James Medlen at: jmed461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact James 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:

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.