Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have 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, Ecology is a good fit.

The Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) is looking to fill a Chemistry Supervisor (Inorganics) (Chemist 4) position. This position will be located at the Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) in Port Orchard, WA.

This position manages and directs the Inorganic chemistry unit, which performs complex chemical analyses on surface water, groundwater, fish tissue, aquatic sediments, children’s and consumer products, and other matrices. This position also reviews analytical data, processes instrument data, and performs some laboratory work. The position leads the effort of continually looking to improve the processes of the unit and contributes ideas on how to continually improve the section processes overall.

We are looking for applicants who possess excellent people skills, the ability to quickly assess a situation and make a decision, have high attention to detail, and have the ability to communicate and collaborate with a diverse workforce. To be successful in this role, you’ll need excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to be resourceful and exercise good judgment.

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.

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

The Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) is the leading environmental laboratory for the State of Washington. We conduct environmental laboratory analyses on samples collected throughout Washington State for organic, inorganic, and microbiological contaminants. The laboratory also conducts analyses for toxics in children’s and consumer products.

As Ecology’s Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) Inorganics Unit Supervisor, you will be responsible for planning, directing, implementing, overseeing, and performing inorganic and microbiological analyses, data review, and reporting at MEL, serving as a knowledgeable resource for inorganic and microbiological analyses.

You will be working with a dynamic high-energy team of very bright professional chemists, working with state-of-the-art instrumentation in a top-notch facility in a beautiful location on the shores of Puget Sound.

Please note: During Stay Home, Stay Healthy, staff are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position is expected to work in the office up to 4 – 5 days a week.

Ecology is maintaining less than maximum building occupancy, and requiring masks, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.

This position will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be April 27, 2021. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before April 26, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Required Qualifications:
There are multiple ways to qualify for this position. See options below:

Option 1: A Bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry AND Six years of experience performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory.

Option 2: A Master’s degree in Chemistry or in a related field will substitute for two years of the experience (performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory).

Option 3:  A Ph.D. in Chemistry or in a related field will substitute for three years of the experience (performing chemical analysis in an analytical laboratory).

Please note: all three levels must also have:

• One year of experience leading or supervising professional chemists.
• Minimum of one year of experience with EPA methodologies.

Desirable Qualifications:

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

• Experience with EPA environmental methods including RCRA and the Clean Water Act.
• Knowledge of analytical chemistry and related modern analytical instrumentation, including ICP, ICPMS, IC, CVAA, AF, FIA, TOC, and microwave.
• Ability to present technical information clearly, both orally and in writing; deal effectively with representatives of other agencies and businesses at a technical level.

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:

This position is located within a federal facility and requires the passing of a Federal Government background check.

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.

 
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.

 
Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  

It is in the candidate’s best interest to submit all of the documents requested above. Applications without these documents may be declined.

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.

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:

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 have specific questions about the position, please email Alan Rue at: alan.rue@ecy.wa.gov.  Please do not contact Alan to inquire about the status of your application.

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.

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.