Spill Responder (Environmental Specialist 3)

 Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen 

The Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Spill Responder (Environmental Specialist 3) position. This position is located in our Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
 
From industrial facilities to illegal drug labs to sunken boats, our work to stop releases of hazardous materials to the environment is unique and challenging. In this position, you will respond to oil and HAZMAT spills, safely manage dangerous waste, provide training, and develop local response partnerships. You will collaborate with law enforcement, fire service, other environmental agencies, Tribes, and other partners. Our focus on relationships builds opportunities for environmental protection as well as personal growth.

Please Note: This position is required to serve as a duty officer for an after-hours, on-call pager duty on a regular rotation. Upon completion of the required training and successful medical surveillance baseline examination, the candidate will be assigned to the Emergency Spill Response Team and will be eligible for a 10% assignment pay. Likewise, Spill Responders are periodically required to be on call outside of scheduled work hours and are paid an hourly Standby Rate of 7% of the regular hourly rate. Also, if you work on a response activity outside of your scheduled work hours, you will receive Responder Pay of 150% of your regular hourly pay.
 
Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations.  
 
Program Mission: The Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program’s mission is to protect preserve, and restore Washington’s environment. The Spill Program’s vision is to create a zero spills world. 

Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to a 90% tele-work schedule, with most work being conducted from an assigned vehicle and typically only four hours per week required in the office. 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 May 10, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before May 9, 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. 

Please Note: We will review all applications received before the date above. Additional reviews after this date typically only occur if we have a small applicant pool, or if a successful Hire was not made.

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.

Duties

What makes this role unique? 

In this role, you will work with a multi-disciplinary team and use science to solve complex environmental and public health challenges. Working with other federal, state, local, and Tribal response partners, spill responders serve as Ecology’s State On-Scene Coordinator leading the response and cleanup of complex environmental spills. The most challenging aspect of the work is coordinating with others under stress. However, every response is a new opportunity to collaborate with partner agencies and impacted citizens. You will use skill and empathy to mitigate stresses so that everyone involved is able to perform at their best and get the job done safely.   What you will do: 

• Conduct responses to spills of oil and HAZMAT, abandoned waste, fish kills, pressurized cylinders, illegal drug manufacturing facilities, and other environmental and human health emergencies.
• Under supervision, conduct operations to control, contain, and cleanup spills, and investigate their cause.
• Under supervision, perform hands-on cleanup actions at oil and HAZMAT spills and illegal drug manufacturing facilities.
• As State On-Scene Coordinator, oversee cleanup actions of spillers and their contractors.
• Complete detailed documentation of response actions.
• Complete ongoing training related to growth and competence as a Spill Responder. 
• Ensure safe and appropriate management of dangerous wastes generated as part of emergency oil and hazmat cleanup activities.

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.

A total of six (6) years of experience and/or education as described below:
 

• Experience: in any combination of activities where the primary duty was responding to spills or other emergencies, conducting sampling and analysis studies, working with monitoring instrumentation, managing hazardous waste disposal, performing cleanup or restoration actions, writing scientific or analytical reports, hazardous materials emergency response, or responding to natural disasters.
• Education: involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, engineering, or other allied field.
   

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

Possible Combinations: College credit hours or degree – as listed above: Years of required experience – as listed above.

Combination 1; No college credit hours or degree; 6 years of experience

Combination 2; 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits; 5 years of experience

Combination 3; 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree); 4 years of experience

Combination 4; 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits; 3 years of experience

Combination 5; A Bachelor's Degree; 2 years of experience

Combination 6; A Master's Degree; 1 year of experience

Combination 7; A Ph.D.; No experience

OR

One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2, at the Department of Ecology.

ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 certification is required.
 
 Free on-line ICS training and certification is available at:
 ICS 100: https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.c 
 ICS 200: https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-200.c 
 ICS 700: https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-700.b
 ICS 800: https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-800.c

80-hour HAZWOPER Technician Certification is required meeting the Hazardous Materials Specialist requirements in WAC 296-824 and 296-843 (can be obtained after hire). Current 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher certificate is also required (can be obtained after hire).

 
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license and maintain the license throughout employment.
• Must pass employment medical surveillance physical and demonstrate the ability to wear respiratory protection and chemical protective clothing. Must successfully pass physical agilities test.
• Must maintain a personal level of fitness necessary to successfully pass periodic medical surveillance exams, which may include a stress test, as detailed in the Spill Response Procedures. 
• Must be able to clear a detailed background check required to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
• Must hold and maintain eligibility and certification (valid passport or enhanced driver’s license) to permit travel to Canada in the event of a transboundary spill.
• Must successfully complete initial SAFETRAC requirements and other required training outlined in the Spills Program Policy and Procedures Manual within 6 months of entering the position.
• Must be prepared for a minimum 3-day field deployment within 1 hour of notification.
• This position is identified as an Essential Agency Employee and is expected to work during facility closures and natural disasters.
• This position is required to perform after-hours on-call duty on a rotation.
• Assess Threats to Worker Safety & Perform Field Duties in a Safe Manner – Safety of workers and the public is the first priority of spill response positions. You will receive SPPR Program safety training and demonstrate understanding and performance of safe field operations. Threats to worker safety may include physical, chemical, biological hazards of materials; traffic; site conditions; weather; and threats posed by animals or contentious people at a work site.
• Hazardous Materials Management – Accurate assessment of hazards from chemicals involved in environmental incidents is critical to the effective performance of this position. You will receive the training and equipment to perform this competency. Certification as a Hazardous Materials Specialist under State law is required before independently acting as the State On-Scene Coordinator during incidents. 
• Must live within a 60-minute commuting distance of Ecology’s Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA.
• After hired, the expectation is that you would notify your supervisor immediately if you are unable to obtain any of the above required licenses or certifications, or if any of the above are revoked, expired, or suspended for any reason.

 
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

• Familiarity with the NW Area Contingency Plan.
• Other emergency response experience.
• Experience working in the Incident Command System.

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 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 Sam Hunn at: Sam.Hunn@ecy.wa.gov Please do not contact Sam 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. 

State of Washington Job Opportunities | Work that Matters (governmentjobs.com)