Address
Form of workSalary : $78,120.00 - $105,096.00 Annually
Location : Yakima County - Union Gap, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-TCP4723-14397
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Toxics Cleanup
Opening Date: 11/17/2023
Closing Date: 12/3/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
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) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Lead Research Scientist - Legacy Pesticides (Natural Resource Scientist 4) position. The position is located Central Regional Office (CRO) in
As the Lead Research Scientist for Ecology's work with Legacy Pesticides, you'll be tackling the widespread contamination caused by outdated agricultural practices. Early implementation of the work involves gathering data, interpretation, and mapping to address this challenging, large-scale cleanup effort. Spanning five counties and approximately 120,000+ acres near the Central Region Office, your work will contribute and enhance the online mapping interface accessible to help inform the public.
The Central Region Office has over 100 employees and is committed to public service. We pride ourselves on listening to the needs of communities and offering practical, straightforward solutions.
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.
Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
, , *, *, , , & , , , , , , , *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:
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?
Gathering data from old aerial photography, existing data sets from past research and current sampling efforts, you will lead the Agency's data collection, evaluation, modeling, and interpretation efforts to map the locations of lead and arsenic soil contamination from old orchard lands. You will project manage and collaborate with program staff, as well as public health professionals, local planners and officials, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as other parties, to conduct robust research through soil sampling. Additionally, you'll perform modeling and predictive analyses incorporating economic, housing, and population demographic data, and publish articles to soil science publications targeting the orchard and agricultural industries.
What you will do:
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:
Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 3:
In addition, this position requires:
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
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?
It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.
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.):
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 Valerie Bound at: Please do not contact Valerie 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 military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing proce...
Location : Yakima County - Union Gap, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-TCP4723-14397
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Toxics Cleanup
Opening Date: 11/17/2023
Closing Date: 12/3/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
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) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Lead Research Scientist - Legacy Pesticides (Natural Resource Scientist 4) position. The position is located Central Regional Office (CRO) in
As the Lead Research Scientist for Ecology's work with Legacy Pesticides, you'll be tackling the widespread contamination caused by outdated agricultural practices. Early implementation of the work involves gathering data, interpretation, and mapping to address this challenging, large-scale cleanup effort. Spanning five counties and approximately 120,000+ acres near the Central Region Office, your work will contribute and enhance the online mapping interface accessible to help inform the public.
The Central Region Office has over 100 employees and is committed to public service. We pride ourselves on listening to the needs of communities and offering practical, straightforward solutions.
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.
Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
, , *, *, , , & , , , , , , , *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 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?
Gathering data from old aerial photography, existing data sets from past research and current sampling efforts, you will lead the Agency's data collection, evaluation, modeling, and interpretation efforts to map the locations of lead and arsenic soil contamination from old orchard lands. You will project manage and collaborate with program staff, as well as public health professionals, local planners and officials, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as other parties, to conduct robust research through soil sampling. Additionally, you'll perform modeling and predictive analyses incorporating economic, housing, and population demographic data, and publish articles to soil science publications targeting the orchard and agricultural industries.
What you will do:
- As the Agency's scientific expert for legacy pesticide contamination, collaborate with agency staff to enhance our online interface that shows data and results to the general public.
- Conduct X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) soil sampling for lead and arsenic using approved methodologies. Train other staff on using the XRF.
- Use aerial photography and Geographic Information Systems software to determine appropriate sampling locations.
- Provide in-depth analyses of data gathered to refine and support future planning efforts, generating research reports for elected officials and Agency management.
- Build and maintain relationships that will allow for wider implementation of our work.
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
Option 1:
- A Bachelor's degree with major study in a natural science.
- Six years of professional research experience in fields such as soil science, fate and transport of environmental contamination, legacy pesticide contamination, or GIS mapping.
Option 2:
- A Master's degree with major study in a natural science.
- Four years of professional research experience in fields such as soil science, fate and transport of environmental contamination, legacy pesticide contamination, or GIS mapping.
Option 3:
- A Ph.D. with major study in a natural science.
- Three years of professional research work experience in fields such as soil science, fate and transport of environmental contamination, legacy pesticide contamination, or GIS mapping.
In addition, this position requires:
- Knowledge of: the body of principles, practices, and methods in the specialty field of natural science; statistical theory and techniques; research design and methods; logic and grammar, advanced methods of problem solving; purposes and objectives of agency scientific programs and activities.
- Ability to: reason logically, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations; gather and analyze data; participate in conferences and interviews; speak and write effectively; establish and maintain effective working relationships.
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.
- The ability to develop and cultivate relationships in order to achieve shared objectives.
- Demonstrated skill in writing and preparing presentations and scientific reports, and the ability to present technically complex information in a way that is understandable to the audience.
- Can be relied upon to achieve excellent results with little need for oversight; earns the trust, respect, and confidence of colleagues and customers through consistent professionalism in all interactions; logically integrates various ideas, intentions, and information to form effective goals, objectives, timelines, action plans, and solutions.
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.
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.
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 Valerie Bound at: Please do not contact Valerie 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 military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing proce...
