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Senior Contaminated Sites Cleanup Engineer

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 by October 18th, 2021. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 Vaccination as part of the hire process. 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

Do you approach technical problem solving through a collaborative approach? Are you interested in incorporating problem-solving ideas into policy and rules that will improve the consistency and effectiveness of contaminated site cleanup? Do you enjoy sharing your expertise and experience to support the training and development of your colleagues? Consider joining the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP)  within the Department of Ecology.
TCP is looking to fill a Senior Contaminated Sites Cleanup Engineer (Environmental Engineer 6) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.

In this role, you will lead the review and update of the technical cleanup standards in the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) rule. Through the rule update, you will build experience and expertise that will support your technical assistance role for rule implementation. You will increase the consistency and effectiveness in how Ecology staff and the regulated community apply the MTCA rule by:
  • Serving as a lead engineering technical expert.
  • Developing policy and guidance.
  • Providing training and technical support. 

As a Senior Contaminated Sites Cleanup Engineer, you will also develop greater engineering expertise within TCP by building and supporting mentoring networks, job-alike groups, and other professional development opportunities. This is a senior-level position with Program-wide influence to improve human health and the environment through more effective cleanup of contaminated sites.
 
The mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program is to is to protect Washington’s human health and the environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution and supporting sustainable communities and natural resources for the benefit of future and current generations. This position directly supports TCP’s strategic goal to clean up sites.

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 telework based on position and business need. 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 October 27, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before October 26, 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 role, your work will include facilitating collaborative teams to solve problems, making complex technical information more accessible, and empowering people to make decisions that move cleanups forward. TCP has many experienced cleanup project managers throughout the program, with a wealth of expertise and knowledge. As a Senior Contaminated Sites Cleanup Engineer, you will gather input from and collaborate with technical staff throughout the program as you lead the program through identifying and recommending solutions to a variety of interesting and complex policy challenges.

What you'll do: 

  • Lead the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) rule team through an internal review of all of the cleanup standards in the MTCA cleanup review followed by rulemaking to update the cleanup standards. This is the first time TCP has updated the cleanup standards. 
  • Provide strategic direction on the cleanup project manager’s toolkit content. 
  • Review and make final decisions on cleanup project manager's toolkit content on environmental engineering and other technical topics. 
  • Provide Program-wide mentoring, training, and consulting expertise. 
  • Identify emerging and future regulatory and policy issues, and in collaboration with the program’s strategic planner, lead strategic planning around how the Program will respond or take action.
  • Strategically frame issues for, consult with, and advise Program management on cleanup issues. 
  • Develop or guide the development of policy.
  • Provide technical assistance and interpretations of the Model Toxics Control Act statute and regulations, TCP’s other rules, and provide assistance on the applicability to specific cleanup sites. Promote and support program-wide discussion of problems encountered at sites across the state. 
  • Provide environmental engineering analysis, recommendations on policy development and program direction related to contaminated site cleanup, and propose solutions to environmental engineering and regulatory challenges. 
  • Facilitate the resolution of technical issues and scientific disagreements among Program staff and with external parties.



Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:
An Engineer-In-Training Certificate or a Bachelor's degree with a major study in one of the following engineering fields: environmental, civil, geotechnical, water resource, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field
AND 
Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington AND six years of experience in environmental engineering which includes one year as an Environmental Engineer 4 or equivalent or two years as an Environmental Engineer 3 or equivalent.

Option 2:
A Master's degree with major study in one of the following engineering fields: environmental, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field 
AND
Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington AND five years of experience in environmental engineering which includes one year as an Environmental Engineer 4 or equivalent or two years as an Environmental Engineer 3 or equivalent.

Option 3:
A Ph.D. degree with major study in one of the following engineering fields: environmental, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field 
AND
Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington AND four years of experience in environmental engineering which includes one year as an Environmental Engineer 4 or equivalent or two years as an Environmental Engineer 3 or equivalent.

Note: Requirements for registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington are eight years of professional experience (which may include up to four years of college-level engineering education) and successful completion of sixteen hours of professional licensing exams. 
Applicants qualifying through the licensing equivalency option must achieve registration as a Professional Engineer, in the state of Washington, within six months of appointment to this class.  

In addition to what is listed above, applicants must have the following:
  • Demonstration of thorough knowledge of environmental remediation principles and practices. 
  • Demonstration of thorough knowledge of Washington State and federal contaminated site cleanup laws and regulations. 
  • Demonstrated ability to provide policy analysis, recommendations, and direction on complex and environmentally sensitive issues concerning program wide projects, regulations, permit compliance and policy development.
  • Demonstrated ability to synthesize data and provide regulatory and engineering analyses and recommendations.  
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary group of people and opinions to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Strong writing skills to convey information according to the needs of the audience.
  • Strong oral communication and presentation skills to convey information according to the needs of the audience; receive and understand spoken information.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

  • Maintain registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington. 
  • Possess and maintain 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.

Been a principle author or co-author, or directed the development of agency-adopted engineering policies, guidelines or standards in their specialty field, with significant engineering requirements and components.
 
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
NOTE: Individuals who are interested in applying to this position, and believe they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington based on reciprocity, are responsible for ensuring they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington prior to submitting their application materials. These requirements can be found at the following website: WA State: Board of Registration for Professional Engineers: How to get your license: Professional engineer by comity. 

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.
  • Submit a professional writing sample, examples could include: policies, guidelines, standards in your specialty field with significant engineering requirements and components. 

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 Richelle Perez at: rdeg461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Richelle 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.