Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe.  We are still hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions.  The majority of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews. 

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 and has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology may be a good fit.

The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is looking to fill a Quality Assurance Coordinator (Toxicologist 2) position located in our Headquarters Office (HQ) in Lacey, WA.

The Quality Assurance Coordinator position evaluates technical information related to regulatory toxicology, such as the analysis of complex data sets including chemical and/or biological data. The position serves as the program’s designated Quality Assurance Coordinator providing expert guidance on appropriate methodologies for the collection and analysis of Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) contaminants; and, serves as a program liaison with internal Ecology staff, other federal and state agencies, consultants, and stakeholders. They will also maintain their expertise stay up to date on peer reviewed publications, regulations, and guidance documents; and, be able to convey information on latest sampling and analysis methodologies to their program peers.

We’re looking for detail-oriented applicants who possess excellent people skills, the ability to rapidly yet thoroughly assess complex data and regulations, make defensible decisions, and communicate these decisions to colleagues, the regulated community, and the public.

Our agency 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 Quality Assurance Coordinator position serves as the Toxic Cleanup Program’s Quality Assurance Coordinator and as a technical expert on toxicology related data analysis of upland/aquatic contamination. That means your workload will vary between reviewing and approving Sampling and Analysis Plans and Quality Assurance Project Plans (SAPs/QAPPs), providing technical expertise to project managers at complex cleanup sites on appropriate analytical methods and in interpretation of complex chemicals of concern (e.g. PCB congers, cPAHs) and bioassays; conducting field audits; and, training your coworkers on data validation principles and analysis tools like MyEIM. As the TCP Quality Assurance Coordinator, you will represent TCP during Agency QAC Team meetings hosted by the agency QA Officer. And, you’ll serve as a knowledgeable resource for program quality assurance requirements and Quality Assurance Project Plans, bioassays, and complex data analysis software.

Some of the key work activities for the Quality Assurance Coordinator  position include:

• Provides support on Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) and sampling plan evaluation, appropriate laboratory methodologies, and statistical analysis of chemicals and toxicity tests against regulatory criteria.
• Serves as the section’s EIM/MyEIM expert to evaluate chemical and biological data resulting from sampling to the application of statewide regulatory standards in the cleanup of contaminated marine / freshwater sediment sites.
• Mentoring staff on the analysis of regulated chemicals and bioassays and provide technical assistance to consultants, industry, other governmental authorities, and the public.
• Reviews and provides comments to technical and supporting documents.
• Serves as the program’s Quality Assurance Coordinator and liaisons with the Agency Quality Assurance Officer.
• Conducts field audits on site at various times of the year.
• Applies basic principles of environmental chemistry, human toxicology, and aquatic toxicology to evaluating actions needed at contaminated sites.
• Represents TCP and Ecology in scientific / regulatory discussions surrounding MTCA quality assurance in Washington State.
• Is comfortable working both independently and in a team environment.

The Aquatic Lands Cleanup Unit is a team-oriented and mutually supportive work environment that prides itself on open, respectful communication and diversity. If you have a question, there are staff to bounce ideas off of. And, people will be looking to you for advice. We work on cleanup sites that have a real, positive environmental impact. You and your co-workers will invest in making Washington a sustainable place to work, live, and recreate.

If you enjoy working with your colleagues and the regulated community to identify common ground and build workable solutions, then you may be a great fit for this position. The successful candidate will be able to work through differences of opinion in sampling designs; will help people correctly select applicable laboratory methods and interpret the results based upon regulations and guidance; will be comfortable debating technical differences of opinion; and, will be able to interpret and explain nuances in data validation.

Working within the HQ Cleanup Section you will be able to support individual projects within the section, provide training and support across TCP, and represent TCP in broader cross-program discussions. If this sounds rewarding to you, we are looking to review your complete application.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be April 26, 2021. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before April 25, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Required Qualifications:

A Ph.D. degree in toxicology, chemistry, or in a health or ecological related science with a major emphasis in toxicology, and one year of experience as a toxicologist or related field (e.g. environmental chemist, quality assurance specialist).

OR

A Master’s of Science degree in toxicology, chemistry, or in a health or ecological related science with a major emphasis in toxicology, and three years of experience as a toxicologist or related field (e.g. environmental chemist, quality assurance specialist).

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong analytical skills.
• Working knowledge of the Sediment Management Standards, Chapter 173-204 WAC, SCUM, and other applicable regulations and guidelines.
• Familiarity with sediment assessment and cleanup techniques, aquatic toxicology, sediment chemistry and biology, related testing protocols (including bioassays), sediment remediation technologies and sediment regulatory programs.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a Driver’s License.
• Must complete HAZOWPER (40-hr) training within six months of employment, and an annual 8-hour refresher

Why work for Ecology?

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 the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

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 Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth

Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information

Application Instructions:

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;
• Three professional references with current contact information.

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.

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.