The King County Environmental Lab is a full-service environmental laboratory supporting a range of King County wastewater treatment and environmental programs. (See http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/data-and-trends/environmental-lab.aspx for more details.) This is an entry-level Environmental Lab Scientist I position that will support laboratory system operations and maintenance in the Aquatic Toxicology Unit.  The position will be responsible for calibration and operation of basic laboratory instruments, will assist with aquatic toxicity testing (water and sediment) for Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD)  National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) compliance, will be responsible for algae toxin analysis (training provided), and will support other lab wide efforts with a fishery/biological focus such as fish milt cryopreservation and fish tissue homogenization.  Environmental Laboratory Scientist I incumbents develop their skills and perform a variety of analyses with training and progressively decreasing oversight.

Who is Eligible:  This position is open to all King County employees and the general public. Applicants from this recruitment may be considered for other vacancies as they occur.

Temporary Telecommuting Requirement:

The majority of the work associated with this position will be performed at the King County Environmental Lab, however, some work will be completed remotely, at least through July 5, 2021 in compliance with King County’s telecommuting mandate.  Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.  Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer.

To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

Work Location:  This position is located at the King County Environmental Lab, 322 West Ewing Street, Seattle, WA 98119.

Work Schedule:  This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.  This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. Work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Work outside of the normal workday and on weekends is required periodically.

• Instrument Calibration and Laboratory Systems Maintenance: a) calibrate basic, routinely used instruments such as pH, DO and conductivity,  b) conduct weekly temperature and illumination checks of refrigerators, incubators and water baths, c) maintain and operate fish holding systems and source water on-site well.
• Toxicity Testing Program Support: a) assist with setup and performance of aquatic toxicity testing in support of WTD NPDES permits, b) perform daily monitoring of toxicity test conditions (Temperature, pH, DO), c) schedule and submit internal chemistry samples in support of toxicity testing and dilution water accreditation requirements.
• Algae Toxin Testing Program Testing Support: a) ship and track sampling kits to local health jurisdictions, b) enter locator information into LIMs for incoming samples, c) train in the use of ELISA based assays for the determination of algae toxins in lake water.
• Biological support to lab-wide projects: support lab-wide efforts on projects with a biological or fishery components such as fish tissue homogenization and kokanee milt cryopreservation.
• Perform chemical analyses using technical analytical instrumentation and following standard operating procedures. Monitor analysis for instrument or analytical problems. Perform instrument calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting on laboratory equipment.
• Utilize computer software prioritize work, track samples, acquire data, and perform calculations on results of laboratory tests.  Transfer data into the LIMS database to track data and sample analysis progress.
• Perform QA/QC activities to ensure that tests are in control and that quality of data meets project needs. Evaluate quality control results, identify deficiencies and take appropriate corrective actions.
• Actively participate as a member of the Aquatic Toxicology team. Keep co-workers informed on project status, problems with samples, instrumentation, etc. Participate constructively in group problem solving and decision making. Represent the Aquatic Toxicology team on committees such as the safety and LIMS committees.
• Incorporate certification and other regulatory requirements and amendments into laboratory services with assistance. Write, review, and edit standard operating procedures in support of the quality assurance program and accreditation.
• Serve as a technical coordinator on project teams. Review and provide feedback on project documentation such as sampling and analysis plans (SAPs) and permits. Produce sample reports for customers including data interpretation in narrative form.
• Follow chemistry laboratory safety requirements and guidelines. Recognize and correct potential safety hazards.
• Additional duties and training as assigned.

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have the Following Competencies:  

• Action Oriented: Enjoys working hard, is action oriented and full of energy for the things he/she sees as challenging.
• Functional/Technical Skills: Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.
• Priority Setting: Spends his/her time and the time of others on what’s important, quickly zeros in on the critical few and puts the trivial many aside, can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal, eliminates roadblocks, creates focus.
• Peer Relationships: Can quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all, can represent his/her own interests and yet be fair to other groups, can solve problems with peers with a minimum of noise, is seen as a team player and is cooperative, easily gains trust and support of peers, encourages collaboration, can be candid with peers.
• Technical Learning: Picks up on technical things quickly, can learn new skills and knowledge, is good at learning new industry, company, product, or technical knowledge, does well in technical courses and seminars.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in aquatic toxicology, biology, fisheries, ecology, oceanography, a related field OR an equivalent combination of experience and education is required.
• Experience working with fish holding systems: piping, chillers, filtration, Living Stream system, experience holding live fish.  Mechanical abilities to support pump and chiller maintenance and repair.
• A minimum of one-year experience using EPA, PSEP, ASTM or standardized aquatic toxicity testing and whole effluent toxicity (WET) protocols and/ or marine sediments in a laboratory setting.
• Skill in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting general lab equipment (micro pipettes, balances, ovens, incubators, and environmental chambers).
• Experience working with relevant mathematics and statistics used for organism holding calculations and aquatic toxicity testing data analysis.
• Working knowledge of computer applications including email, Word, Excel, and online collaboration tools (Teams, Zoom).
• Demonstrated ability to promote mutual respect and acceptance of all workers in a diverse work group.
• Proven effective communications skills (verbal and written, including professional report writing and standard operating procedures).
• Demonstrated ability to participate in team and committee efforts of problem solving and decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully under supervision and independently within a team environment.
• Skill in prioritizing work and managing own time and in coordinating with others to facilitate teamwork.
• Proven ability in applying principles of effective customer service and continuous quality improvement.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines and be very detail oriented.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of cyanobacteria toxins and analysis methods.
• Experience with computer software applications for aquatic toxicity statistics such as CETIS.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Requires precision in operating and using delicate laboratory equipment and glassware with accuracy. Ability to stand/position oneself at laboratory hoods and countertops for prolonged periods of time, occasional to frequent lifting of up to 40 pounds, raising and holding heavy carboys of sample and dilution water. This position requires the ability to repetitively prepare and mix samples, which involves shaking and pouring samples, using repetitive hand and wrist motion and some kneeling and stooping.

Application and Selection Process: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application, cover letter and resume, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks. Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

• King County Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter detailing your background and what you can bring to this position
• Responses to supplements questions

Union Representation: This position is not represented by a union.

 For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Pamela Johnson, Human Resources Manager
Phone: 206-477-4717
Email: pamela.johnson@kingcounty.gov

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State’s best employers. 

Together, with leadership and our employees, we’re changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation’s best places to live, work and play. 

Guided by our “True North“, we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles–we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.