Salary: $59,616.00 – $92,868.00 Annually
Location: Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-HWTR4995-07711
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction
Opening Date: 06/16/2023
Closing Date: Continuous

The Hazardous Waste Toxic Reduction Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Chemist 3 (In-Training) position. 

The 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.
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 $5,216 – $8,125 per month.

In this role, you will serve as a specialist for identifying both toxic chemicals in products as well as alternative chemicals and materials to replace the function of the toxic chemicals in products and processes using one or more elements of an alternatives assessment. Typical work includes conducting research and supporting projects on toxic chemicals in products and safer chemical alternatives, providing technical assistance to other staff, and representing the agency on local, interstate, and national technical committees. You may also train internal and external clients on topics including hazardous chemicals in products, chemical hazard assessments, safer alternatives and alternatives assessment methods. You will apply green chemistry principles to the program’s most complex chemical of concern challenges. 

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. 
 
Program Mission: The mission of the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program (HWTR) is to 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. 

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 June 30, 2023. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before June 29, 2023. 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. 

What makes this role unique? 
In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of the Safer Products for Washington Law and other regulatory programs, which intend to protect Washingtonians from chemicals used in everyday products. You will serve as a subject matter expert to help identify, prioritize, and find viable alternatives to the use of toxic chemicals.

What you will do: 

  • Identify sources and uses of priority chemicals 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 alternatives to priority chemicals in consumer products. 
  • Write technical reports and provide chemistry related information on chemicals in consumer products. 
  • Actively participate and contribute to Hazardous Waste Toxic Reduction meetings related to current projects such as the Safer Products for Washington technical team meeting.  
  • Present results in public webinars and professional conferences. 
  • Develop and manage contracts for alternatives assessment, hazard assessment and projects that advance the use of safer alternatives and supporting methodologies. 
  • Lead and support projects to promote the use of safer chemicals and reduce the use of chemicals of concern. 

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.

Option 1: At the Chemist 2 level: (Salary Range 56: $4,968-$6,676 Monthly) (In-Training)
A Bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry AND two years of experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory. 

OR
One year of experience as a Chemist 1, at the Department of Ecology.
  
NOTE: A Master’s degree will substitute for two years of the required experience provided a Bachelor’s degree and the required college-level chemistry has been achieved. 
  
Option 2: At the Chemist 3 level: (Goal Class) (Salary Range 62: $5,756-$7,739 Monthly)
A Bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry AND four years of experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory. 

OR 
Two years of experience as a Chemist 2, at the Department of Ecology. 

NOTE: A Master’s degree will substitute for two years of the required experience or a Ph.D. will substitute for three years of the required experience provided a Bachelor’s degree and the required college-level chemistry have been achieved.

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.

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.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4078820/chemist-3-in-training

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