Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

This senior section specialist position is integral to measuring our progress in reducing criteria pollutants and implementing new monitoring in the communities most affected by pollution. This position interacts with others often, using advanced scientific knowledge of air monitoring operations and equipment to provide technical assistance, support, and training to local, state, and federal agencies, tribal nations, academia, contractors, and the public. This is a field-oriented position, providing opportunity to enjoy Southwestern Washington’s beautiful landscape and weather as you travel between Lacey and supported monitoring sites from Tacoma and Mount Rainier to Vancouver and beyond.

 

Some of the key activities of the  SWRO Air Monitoring Site Operator position are:
 

• Install new monitoring sites and all associated equipment ensuring proper siting and adherence to applicable regulations and monitoring objectives.
• Operate complex air monitoring equipment, including sensors, samplers, analyzers, calibrators, data loggers and other air monitoring-related instruments.
• Travel to sites to perform quality control, calibration, and maintenance activities on air monitoring equipment consistent with standard operating procedures and manufacturer’s manuals.
• Analyze collected air quality data and quality control information. 
• Provide the highest level of technical consultation, assistance, support, and training on highly complex air monitoring operations.  
• Develop and conduct technical training and workshops for monitoring station operators on the operation, maintenance, and quality control of air monitoring instruments.
• Maintain, calibrate, diagnose problems, and repair computer/microprocessor-controlled monitors and instrumentation.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Nine years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning, which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above. One year of the professional level experience must be in the operation and maintenance of air monitoring instrumentation. Education can be substituted for up to seven years of experience as described below.
 
Option 2: A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, public administration, or other allied field AND five years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning, which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above. One year of the professional level experience must be in the operation and maintenance of air monitoring instrumentation.
 
Option 3: A Master’s degree in one of the above fields AND three years of professional – level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above. One year of the professional level experience must be in the operation and maintenance of air monitoring instrumentation.

Option 4:  A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above. One year of the professional level experience must be in the operation and maintenance of air monitoring instrumentation.
   
Option 5:  Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 at the Department of Ecology. One year of the professional level experience must be in the operation and maintenance of air monitoring instrumentation.
   
The 1 year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 can include a combination of the following: 1) investigating and / or resolving complaints involving science or technology content, 2) performing inspections, 3) drafting technical evaluations and reports, 4) develops plans for researching information used for technical projects, regulatory or policy development, 5) plan and facilitate public meetings and hearings, 6) project work requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 7) providing technical assistance for complex scientific content and/ or support for implementing scientific content programs, 8) conducting tests, analyzing and evaluating data, 9) using environmental databases to support technical projects, 10) developing scientific studies and resource management plans, 11) providing environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.
 
The 2 years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2 can include assisting in any of the following areas: 1) performing field surveys or studies, 2) responding to complaints involving scientific or technical content, 3) preparing public meetings and hearings, 4) assistance with routine inspections or investigations requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 5) responding to routine inquires or requests for technical assistance involving scientific content, 6) special projects that are scientific in nature, 7) conducting routine sampling and testing analyses, interprets data, writing reports 8) performing basic sampling data review, 9) maintaining an environmental data base to support technical projects, 10) providing routine environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.

Special 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.

• Two years of experience operating air monitoring instrumentation for determining compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
• One year of electronics education and hands-on troubleshooting experience with electronic circuitry, pneumatics, and mechanical systems.
• One year of experience in the diagnosis, repair, and calibration of air pollutant and meteorological monitoring systems.
• Excellent deductive reasoning skills.
• Experience using Microsoft Office software such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• An advanced understanding of the principles involved in calibrating, maintaining, and operating air monitoring equipment.
• Ability to interpret and explain technical information to non-technical individuals.

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 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.

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 (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 Scott Dubble at: Scott.dubble@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Scott to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov