The Department of Local Services (DLS), Road Services Division (Roads) is looking for a talented Environmental Scientist II who is interested in career development! This position will support the environmental review of maintenance project sites and facilities.  It will also support the preparation of environmental documentation and permitting related to capital improvement (CIP) and maintenance projects, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, while also applying technical and scientific expertise in the areas of stormwater pollution prevention at maintenance facilities and mitigation site monitoring.

First round of interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of June 14, 2021.
 
Scope of Job Duties: To be considered for this opportunity, you must, at a minimum, demonstrate knowledge, skill, and ability to:

• Help develop technical environmental documents and federal, state, and local permits/approvals in support of CIP and maintenance projects;
• Create critical area maps and supplemental project information documents for permit submittals and maintain up-to-date data in a permit tracker;
• Perform mitigation site monitoring, and assist with project site exclusion and fish relocation;
• Conduct desktop and field site contamination screenings and write summary evaluations regarding soil conditions at CIP project sites;
• Conduct and/or assist with groundwater, surface water, stormwater, and surface or sub-surface soil sampling;
• Develop, maintain, and implement sampling and monitoring QA/QC procedures, calibrate and maintain sampling and monitoring equipment, and coordinate with the King County Environmental Laboratory and/or outside contract laboratories;
• Respond to spills and Emergency Response Tracking System (ERTS) requests and coordinate cleanup actions for spills in the King County road right-of-way and/or maintenance construction sites;
• Oversee and/or assist with program management of the Regional Stormwater Decant Facility;
• Conduct and/or assist with quarterly monitoring sampling per the facility’s Industrial Waste Discharge Authorization requirements;
• Review daily dispatches, contact crew with questions as needed, input construction start/stop dates into tracker daily;
• Finalizes Project Environmental Review Form (PERF) packets for signature/transmittal to Roads’ Division staff;
• Perform additional duties or special projects as assigned.

 
We are looking for candidates who have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental science, planning, or closely related field; OR an equivalent background of education and experience;
• Working knowledge of RSD’s Roadworks’ platform;
• Demonstrated knowledge of local, state, and federal laws affecting maintenance activities and CIPs, and ability to evaluate projects for permit requirements and during emergency response efforts;
• Knowledge of permitting pipelines and processes relevant to RSD projects, especially the use of WDFW’s Aquatic Protection Permitting System (APPS) and the Clearing and Grading Programmatic Permit for maintenance projects;
• Working knowledge in the use of BMPs designed and installed in accordance with the Regional Road Maintenance ESA Program Guidelines;
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of current Hazardous/Dangerous Waste Regulations and Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA);
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate to a diverse workgroup;
• Skill in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, and Access; ArcMap; Adobe Acrobat Pro;
• Ability to work in harsh field conditions;
• Knowledge of the determinants of equity and support of the County’s anti-racism and pro-equity agenda;
• A proven and action-oriented commitment to evolve self-awareness of racism, racialized systems, positional power, privilege and the realities of race and other socially defined categories (such as gender, gender identity, etc.);
• The following certifications:
  • OHSA 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations (HAZWOPER), with current 8-hour refresher
  • DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation
  • RCRA Hazardous Waste/WA Dangerous Waste Management
  • Certified Erosion & Sediment Control Lead (CESCL).

Supplemental Information:

• This position is represented by PTE Local 17
• This position is non-exempt and is overtime-eligible.

Why King County?

• Competitive – healthcare plans
• Free – transportation options
• Manager Support – structured employee assistance program
• Paid – vacation time (in addition to paid holidays)
• Paid – sick leave
• Paid – parental leave
• Deferred – compensation plan
• Ten – paid holidays
• Awesome Employee Giving Program!

TEMPORARY TELECOMMUTING REQUIREMENT
The work associated with this position will be performed remotely, at least through July 5, 2021 in compliance with King County’s telecommuting mandate. It is possible that the work will be primarily performed remotely on an ongoing basis after July 5, 2021.  Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.  Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.  There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite.  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.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
King County is the local service provider for the roughly quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county. Taken together, the population in unincorporated King County would be the second-largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director’s Office and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. The Director’s Office includes a robust Community Service Area group focused on identifying and responding to the needs of urban and rural unincorporated King County residents and business. The department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivery of local services to all of the unincorporated areas.
 
ABOUT THE DIVISION
Unincorporated King County is home to roughly a quarter million people. Collectively, these communities would be the second-largest city in the state. Millions more use the roads to access jobs and recreational activities in urban and rural King County. The Roads Services Division is committed to ensuring the county’s road system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel.

The division is faced with a long-term structural funding problem, yet is responsible for 1,500 miles of roads and 182 bridges, 5.7 million feet of drainage ditches, over 44,000 traffic control signs, 78 traffic signals, and 50 traffic cameras in unincorporated King County.

ABOUT KING COUNTY
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. 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 values–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.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
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 learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Are you ready 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 the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

The recruitment for this position is open to all applicants. A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a cover letter and resume.

If you have any questions, please contact Jen Irwin, Senior HR Analyst,  by e-mail at jirwin@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at 206-263-0601. Connect with Jen on LinkedIn