The Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a 6PPD Monitoring Lead Scientist (Natural Resource Scientist 4) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station. 

As a senior staff scientist, you will support Ecology’s mission by serving as EAP’s expert in 6PPD, 6PPD-quinone (6PPDq), and other related toxic contaminants in the environment. In this role, you will provide project management and leadership in developing monitoring methods for 6PPD, with the primary goal of quantifying concentrations and prioritizing hot spots, and studying the fate, transport, and impact of 6PPD on the ecosystem.  

Agency Mission: Ecology’s mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment and to promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations.  

Program Mission: The Environmental Assessment Program provides a range of scientific, monitoring, laboratory, and quality assurance services. Its mission is to measure, assess, and communicate environmental conditions in Washington State.   

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  

• 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. 
• A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
• 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.

What makes this role unique and challenging? 

As the agency’s subject matter expert in 6PPD monitoring in freshwater aquatic habitats, and EAP’s 6PPD monitoring coordinator, you will be responsible for leading and providing support for a NRS2 6PPD monitoring field lead. It is expected that you will also lead, support, and collaborate with ongoing assessment studies conducted by partner Ecology programs and regional stakeholders.

What you will do:  

• Oversight and review of EAP 6PPD monitoring designs, QAPPs, reports, presentations, and recommendations as assigned.   
• Define the research project and write Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).
• Evaluate 6PPDs using a variety of environmental and engineered matrices, including but not limited to sediment, stormwater, fish tissue, instream bioassays, and passive and automated samples.  
• Use innovation to work with other specialized staff and partners to design, troubleshoot, and implement customized monitoring equipment.  
• Conduct advanced statistical analysis of environmental data. Formulate and justify conclusions and recommendations.
• As lead author prepare draft and final technical reports for agency publication. These reports typically undergo external peer review.
• Present scientific findings to client programs, stakeholder groups, and the public.
• Perform GIS analysis of environmental information. 

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: 

A Bachelor’s of science degree with major study in chemistry, environmental science, toxicology, physical, or one of the natural sciences, or other closely allied field, and six (6) years of professional research work experience in the evaluation of toxic contaminants.

Option 2: 

A Master’s degree, without a PhD degree with major study in chemistry, environmental science, toxicology, physical, or one of the natural sciences, or other closely allied specialty field and (4) years of professional research work experience in the evaluation of toxic contaminants.

Option 3: 

A Ph.D. degree in chemistry, environmental science, toxicology, physical, or one of the natural sciences, or other closely allied specialty field and (3) years of professional research work experience in the evaluation of toxic contaminants.

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

• Experience in communicating with staff, internal clients, stakeholders, and management to define project scopes, study designs, and project deliverables.
• Experience designing and managing environmental toxics studies projects.
• Experience collecting environmental samples of water, sediment or fish tissue for contaminant analysis.
• Training or education in toxicology and the effects of toxic chemicals on organisms in the environment.
• Experience analyzing data and writing technical reports or publishing findings in scientific journals.
• Experience in leading and mentoring senior level technical staff.

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 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.   

• 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.
• Three professional references.

• 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. 

If you have specific questions about the position, please email James Medlen at:  James.Medlen@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact James 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.

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.