Contaminated Site Assessment Specialist (Natural Resource Scientist 3)

Salary : $65,748.00 - $88,416.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-TCP4861-15255
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Toxics Cleanup
Opening Date: 12/13/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Contaminated Site Assessment Specialist (Natural Resource Scientist 3) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office (HQ) in Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
As the Contaminated Site Assessment Specialist, you will play a critical role in implementing the Site Hazard Assessment and Ranking Process (SHARP) Tool for assessing Contaminated Sites. Utilizing your expertise and research, you will review and use site data to rank Contaminated Sites with the SHARP Tool. Your role will be vital in helping inform the Toxics Cleanup Program in prioritizing cleanup sites and implementing SHARP across environmental programs at the Department of Ecology.
The mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program 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 December 29, 2023. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before December 28, 2023. 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:
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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 DEIRDiversity, 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.
Duties
What makes this role unique?
As the Contaminated Site Assessment Specialist, you'll analyze data and review information to assess contamination risks in soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment, and indoor air. You'll use this information to rank Contaminated Sites using the Site Hazard Assessment and Ranking Process (SHARP) Tool. You'll apply your knowledge of the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) cleanup standards to rank sites, and as the SHARP Tool is implemented, you will coordinate efforts to update the tool in alignment with environmental legislative requirements, developing technology, and emerging contaminant studies. Your eventual expertise with the SHARP Tool will be instrumental in maintaining relationships and training other users across the program, Ecology, the Department of Health, the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA), and others.
What you will do:

• Analyze data and review Contaminated Site information, to assess contamination risks in soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment, and indoor air.
• Rank Contaminated Sites using the SHARP Tool and following the SHARP Tool Manual; maintain the manual to be current with iterations of the SHARP Tool.
• Write clear and concise site background summaries of contamination and cleanup histories that highlight prominent and important environmental and socioeconomic issues of concern during ranking.
• Manage SHARP team projects, implement plans, and develop policy working independently and in small teams.
• Support the design and conversion of the current Excel workbook to an online application accessible to broader users and deeper analysis functions.
• Continue to update and refine the SHARP Tool in accordance with legislative changes, emerging contaminant data, and advances in cleanup technology and knowledge.
• Provide subject matter expertise, guidance, and training to the SHARP Team and SHARP Tool users for consistent application across Washington.
• Recommend ranking process improvements, collect and track performance data, and identify opportunities for tool improvements.

Qualifications
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.
Option 1:

• A Bachelor's degree with major study in an environmental, physical or natural science, AND
• Four years of professional research work experience in environmental science.

Option 2:

• A Master's degree with major study in an environmental, physical or natural science, AND
• Two years of professional research work experience in environmental science.

Option 3:
A Ph.D. in an environmental, physical, or natural science.
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

• Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Word, SharePoint and Outlook
  Advanced skills using Microsoft Excel with the ability to understand and generate logic statements and formulas, track data, and prepare data reports.
• Demonstrated success working in a team environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Working knowledge of the Model Toxics Control Act, Chapter 173-340 WAC, and/or Comprehensive, Environmental Response and Liability Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Experience with sampling and analysis techniques, cleanup process and remediation, and Natural Resources recovery technologies as they relate to leaking underground storage tanks.
• Working knowledge of the Sediment Management Standards, Chapter 173-204 WAC; familiarity with sediment assessment and cleanup techniques, aquatic toxicology, sediment chemistry and biology, related testing protocols (including bioassay), sediment remediation technologies, and sediment regulatory programs.

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 Accommodationin the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

• Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: 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 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 Sarah Wollwage at: Please do not contact Sarah to inquire about the status of your application.
To request the full position description: email
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 and follow, like or visit us on , , , or our
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 mi...