- Description
As our community responds to the public health emergency, the Department of Ecology’s priority is to keep our staff, candidates and the public safe. We are experiencing some delays as we transition to a virtual recruitment process. Thank you for your patience and we will be in touch as soon as we are able. We encourage you to apply to open postings.
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
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. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.
The Solid Waste Management (SWM) program is looking to fill a Solid Waste Data Analysis Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Office (HQ) in Lacey, WA.
The Solid Waste Data Analysis Specialist position responds to highly complex inquiries for technical assistance on solid waste data quality and reporting. This position is also responsible for assisting with various statewide solid waste measurement research efforts related to solid waste facilities and recyclers. The position oversees the statewide solid waste annual reporting process, provides notifications of yearly requirements, and provides technical assistance to local governments and hundreds of facilities throughout the state.
We are looking for applicants who possess excellent people skills, the ability to quickly assess a situation and make a decision and the ability to communicate with a diverse audience. This job is for someone who believes solid waste management decisions should be data-driven, and enjoys working with others to acquire and find new ways to interpret data. The right applicant should be a creative thinker, but also be comfortable spending long periods of time entering data into spreadsheets.
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.
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.
Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts
Duties
- Serves as senior environmental specialist responsible for independently implementing the Annual Report and Annual Recycling Survey Process as required by Chapter 70.95 RCW, the Solid Waste Management Act by performing scientific studies, surveys, and analysis.
- Trains other staff to enter solid waste data into a facilities data system, and interpret solid waste data for the annual report.
- Plans, develops, researches, and conducts data collection; uses scientific analyses to determine effective methods and practices related to resource management.
- Revises forms and notification letters and works with IT application developers to develop and modify online reporting system, including revising online forms.
- Coordinates the notification process for reports and surveys to all solid waste facilities and recyclers, enters recycling annual report data into the Solid Waste Facilities Database, when online reporting cannot be completed by a facility, and updates facility information as needed.
- Calculates the state’s recycling and diversion rates.
- Prepares focus sheets and draft press releases.
- Communicates with stakeholders and program staff regarding solid waste data. Establishes timeframes to complete the annual report process.
- Produces data reports from Solid Waste Facility Database.
- Performs analysis to increase efficiency in calculating recycling & diversion rates.
- Analyzes reporting data for exempt facilities to identify where materials are being taken and received and prioritize facilities of concern that need further investigation.
The positions will remain open until filled, with the initial screening scheduled on May 24, 2021. To be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application and required materials on or before May 23, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment at any time after the initial screening date.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
At the Environmental Specialist 4 level Pay Range 55 ($4,509 – $5,913 monthly) Goal Class
Education involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.
Professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
At the Environmental Specialist 3 level: Pay Range 49 ($3,887 – $5,102 – monthly)
Education involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.
Professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
- Experience and/or academic training in solid waste management, waste reduction, reuse, and recycling and/or sustainable resource management practices. Be willing and able to keep abreast of state-of-the-art technology, research and innovation in waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling, and other sustainable resource management practices.
- Experience and/or training in providing direct customer service, especially with customers that are dissatisfied, irate or do not want to do what is being asked of them. Experience working as a member of a team assigned to create and complete a project. Training related to developing interpersonal communication skills or providing good customer service.
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Must hold a valid Driver’s License or be able to obtain one within the first month of employment.
Why work for Ecology?
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 the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.
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
Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information
Supplemental Information
Please complete the short on-line application, supplemental questions and upload:
- Your current chronological resume;
- A cover letter explaining how you fit the requirements of the position;
- Three professional references with current contact information.
Important Note:
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.
It is in the candidate’s best interest to submit all of the documents requested above. Applications without these documents may be declined.
Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume,” may disqualify you from further consideration.
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Department of 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 at (360) 407-6186.
If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”
Other Information:
This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.
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.
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.