Sediment/Pollution Source Control Specialist (Environmental Engineer 2)

The salary listed above includes the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2024.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) within the Department of Ecology (Ecology) is looking to fill a Sediment/Pollution Source Control Specialist (Environmental Engineer 2) position. This position is located in our Headquarters in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

As the Sediment/Pollution Source Control Specialist, you will be responsible for performing environmental engineering duties related to sediment source control and preventing and minimizing recontamination of cleanup site sediments from contaminated surface or groundwater or other upland sources. You'll provide central technical support for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit writing, coordinating with other environmental programs, such as the Water Quality Program and the Industrial Section of the Solid Waste Management Program on source control, cleanup, and policy development. Additionally, with your knowledge of engineering theories and practices, you'll occasionally conduct site assessments, and field investigations to ensure protection and cleanup of contaminated sediment sites.

Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations.  

Program Mission: The mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) 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.

Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to a 90% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in "other information." Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled; we will review applications on June 21, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before June 20, 2024. If your application isn't received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date.

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 (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

About the Department of Ecology

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 embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan.

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.

• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Our commitment to DEIR

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.

Come join the Aquatic Lands Cleanup Unit as a Sediment/Pollution Source Control Specialist! You'll conduct source control investigations and analysis to assure consistency between sediment source control measures and cleanup regulations. You'll also research, analyze and develop models to control point- and nonpoint sources of sediment contamination via National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, contaminated ground water, or other upland sources to sediment. Working collaboratively with TCP site managers, you'll provide engineering support by evaluating the adequacy of upland source controls at Puget Sound Initiative cleanup sites, as well as use your engineering, hydrology and modeling knowledge to identify and assess the effectiveness of contamination controlling measures in adjacent aquatic sites.

Additional duties as the Sediment/Pollution Source Control Specialist include:

• Manage Ecology's sediment data to support regulatory actions including permitting, enforcement, and the cleanup of contaminated marine and freshwater sediment sites in accordance with the Water Pollution Control Act (RCW.90.48) and the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA; RCW 70.105D).

• Using Chapter 3 of the Sediment Management Standards (SMS; WAC 173-204), review and provide technical comments on sediment sampling and analysis plans, sediment data reports, and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit sediment requirements by SMS.

• Provide oversight to complex contaminated site investigations and cleanups (MTCA) conducted by private parties or Ecology's contractors.  Provide relevant oversight to MTCA cleanup activities and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) cleanups.

• Review engineering studies and reports on hazardous waste sites to determine relevant and appropriate state-of-the-art field and design practices; compliance with applicable state regulations, laws and guidelines with emphasis on design and performance requirements; adequacy of engineering computations performed; and coordinate the planning, implementation and completion of site-specific projects.

• Provide technical assistance to consultants, industry, governmental authorities, the public, and other agency staff.

• Prepare engineering reports; assists project team members in their analysis and understanding of design plans and specifications.

• In support of a Site Manager, evaluate the completeness and accuracy of engineering characterization, remedial investigations, and feasibility studies of contaminated sites.

• Review Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study (RI/FS) reports, Site Health and Safety Plans, Engineering and Design Reports, post-cleanup as-built drawings, and soil and groundwater lab reports including QA/QC documentation in their applicability to MTCA.

Learn more about what it is like to be an Engineer at the Department of Ecology.

Required Qualifications:

Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:

• 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

A total of six years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in environmental engineering.

• Education involving a major study in one of the following engineering fields, sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:

Possible CombinationsCollege credits or degree - as listed above

Years of required experience - as listed above

Combination 1No college credits or degree6 years of experience

Combination 230-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits5 years of experience

Combination 360-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (AA degree)4 years of experience

Combination 490-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits3 years of experience

Combination 5An Engineer-in-Training Certificate2 years of experience

Combination 6 A Bachelor's Degree2 years of experience

Combination 7 A Master's Degree or above1 year of experience

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must 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.

• Understanding of general marine and/or freshwater sediment biology/ecology and how source control strategies can influence sediment dwelling organisms.

• Working knowledge of federal and state cleanup regulations for contaminated sites. Experience with any cleanup regulations are valued, experience with Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Sediment Management Standards, Chapter 173-204 WAC, and the Model Toxics Control Act Regulation Chapter 173-340 WAC is preferred;

• Knowledge of hydrologic principles for surface water, sediment assessment and cleanup techniques, sediment chemistry and biology.

• Strong verbal and written communication, project management and facilitation skills.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

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 on 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.
• A list of three professional references.

Note: References will only be contacted during the final steps of the recruitment process for candidates selected as finalists. References will not be contacted without the candidate's formal authorization.

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 (such as 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 Kevin Kalefern at: Kevin.Kalefern@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Kevin 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.

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.