Chemist 3 (in-Training) description image

Chemist 3 (in-Training)

Salary: $61,404.00 – $95,652.00 Annually
Location: Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Job Number: 2024-HWTR3401-04882
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction
Opening Date: 06/29/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Category: Environmental Services / Public Health / Natural Resources / Sciences / Green-Collar/Environmental
 
 

                         Chemist 3 (in-Training) description image

 

Description

The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Chemist 3 (In-Training) position. 
This position can be located at one of the following locations:
 
Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.
Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
Eastern Region Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.
Richland Field Office (RFO) in Richland, WA
 
Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.


Please Note:
 If the final location of this position is determined to be in our Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA. there will be an additional 5% pay increase due to its location in King County. In this instance the salary range will be $5,372 – $8,369 per month. 


Are you a safer chemistry enthusiast? Are you motivated by the opportunity to reduce the use and impact of toxic chemicals in consumer products? We’re looking for a Chemist with the ability to research functions of chemicals in consumer products, find safer chemical alternatives, and provide chemistry technical support to stakeholders with varying scientific expertise.

Note: This position offers a career path and on-the-job training. This position allows you to progress through the Chemist 2 field and achieve the goal class of a Chemist 3. Candidates will be considered at the Chemist 2 and the Chemist 3 levels, depending on their qualifications. For salary levels for each, please see the qualifications section.  

Agency Mission: Ecology’s mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations.   

Program Mission: We protect Washington’s residents and environment by reducing the use of toxic chemicals, safely managing dangerous waste, preventing new contaminated sites, and cleaning up contamination. We’re national leaders in minimizing and eliminating the impacts of toxic chemicals and hazardous waste.   

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.
 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled; we will review applications on July 15, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before July 14, 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 ForgivenessTuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life InsuranceDeferred Compensation ProgramsDependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)Employee Assistance ProgramCommute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader)Combined Fund DriveSmartHealth *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

 

Chemist 3 (in-Training) description image

What makes this role unique?
You’ll use your subject matter expertise in chemistry to provide technical support to various initiatives within HWTR’s Pollution Prevention and Regulatory Assistance section.   You will join a growing and dynamic team consisting of other chemists, toxicologists, and outreach specialists working towards the goal of reducing or eliminating the use of toxic chemicals in consumer products.
 
What you will do:
  • You will serve as a specialist in identifying the function of toxic chemicals in consumer products and their replacement chemicals and/or materials, using one or more elements of an alternatives assessment.

  • Identify sources and uses of priority chemicals (as defined by RCW 70A.350.020) and other chemicals of concern in products through literature reviews, use of databases, review of data orders or reporting requirements and engagement with stakeholders.

  • Research the assessment of safer, feasibility and availability of alternatives to priority chemicals in consumer products to advance the goals of Safer Products for Washington.

  • Serves as a chemistry subject matter expert, including but not limited to: answering questions on general chemistry, determining chemicals within scope of Washington laws, interpretation of data or chemical analysis reports.

  • Draft technical elements (e.g. legislative reports, compliance data reporting templates) regarding chemicals in products while protecting confidential business information where appropriate.

  • Participates and contributes technical support to projects that implement compliance or technical assistance efforts on Washington laws and rules such as Safer Products for Washington, the Children’s Safe Product Act, Better Brakes and Toxics in Packaging.
 
  • Actively participate in interagency workgroups and meetings (e.g.: Interstate Chemicals, Clearinghouse, Northeast Waste Management Officials Association, Safer Products) and related to current projects. This includes providing presentations, participating in subgroups and on advisory committees.
 

 

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.

At the Chemist 2 level: Salary Range 56 ($5,117 – $6,876 Monthly)
A total of Six years of experience and/or education in Chemistry or performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory.

Experience in: Chemistry or chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory.

Education with a major in: Chemistry or a degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level.  

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

Possible Combinations

College credit hours or degree

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 

No experience


OR 
One year of experience as a Chemist 1 at the Department of Ecology.
 


At the Chemist 3 level (Goal Class): Salary Range 62 ($5,929 – $7,971 Monthly)

A total of Eight years of experience and/or education in Chemistry or performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory.

Experience in: Chemistry or chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory.

Education with a major in: Chemistry or a degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level  


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

Possible Combinations

College credit hours or degree

Years of required experience – as listed above.

Combination 1

No college credit hours or degree

8 years of experience

Combination 2

30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.

7 years of experience

Combination 3

60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).

6 years of experience

Combination 4

90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.

5 years of experience

Combination 5 

A Bachelor’s Degree

4 years of experience

Combination 6 

A Master’s Degree 

2 years of experience

Combination 7 A Ph.D.  1 year of experience


OR 

Two years of experience as a Chemist 2 at the department of Ecology.
 


Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
  • Experience with Chemical Hazard Assessments, Alternative Assessments, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Green Chemistry and Environmental Health.
  • Experience effectively coordinating activities, services, and schedules to ensure smooth and efficient operation of work.

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 Justin Rewerts at: Justin.Rewerts@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Justin 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 LinkedInTwitterFacebookInstagram 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. 

 

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