The King County Solid Waste Division (Division) is pleased to welcome applicants for a Health and Environmental Investigator III, Waste Stream Compliance Specialist.

In this role, you will work both independently and in close coordination with Special Waste Unit (SWU) team members, the SWU Supervisor, and other members of the Recycling and Environmental Services (RES) staff. Approximately one-third of the work will be to administer the waste clearance function of the Waste Stream Compliance & Enforcement program, through which applications for waste disposal are reviewed for approval, and if approved a waste clearance decision (disposal permit) is issued to the customer. You would also make customer referrals to other recycling and disposal options, as appropriate. The remaining two-thirds of the work will involve 1) training existing and new Division
employees about and how to implement waste acceptance policies; 2) conducting special projects, such as updating the waste clearance program, developing policies for specific wastes, and facilitating Waste Acceptance Rule updates; and 3) regular review/updating of the various landfill and transfer station permit documents.

You will be a leader, coordinator, facilitator, and member of teams and workgroups to help the program and its stakeholders achieve desired outcomes. As the SWU programs and program functions evolve, the responsibilities and assignments of this position may change over time.

Opportunity to Learn More: We invite you to join an MS Teams Meeting Open House to learn more about this position. We will hold this event on April 1, 2021, from 3 pm to 4 pm. Click here to join the meeting or for audio-only call 1-425-653-6586 and use Phone Conference ID: 904 848 056#.

If you are unable to join the Open House and have questions about the position, you may contact Kris Beatty at 206-477-4620 or kris.beatty@kingcounty.gov.

Permanent Telecommuting Requirement: The work associated with this position will be performed remotely on a permanent basis.  There will be situations in which the employee is required to report to a County worksite. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) that reliably allows them to 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 Public Health – Seattle & King County Public Health Officer. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing its carbon footprint.

Who May Apply: This position is open only to King County Employees.

How to Apply:   Applicants must submit the following materials: (1) King County Application including answers to the supplemental questions listed, and (2) Cover Letter detailing your background and describing how your education and experience meets the qualifications and has prepared you to perform the essential functions of the job (please limit to no more than two pages).

Work Location: This is a permanent remote working position.  There will, however, be an expectation to travel to various worksites throughout King County as needed to carry out job responsibilities.

Work Schedule:   This position works 8 hours per day, M-F, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is exempt from FLSA provisions and is not over-time eligible. Under certain circumstances, one’s schedule may be modified once the probationary period is completed to accommodate flexible schedules.

About the Division: The King County Solid Waste Division (Division) is the agency responsible for a public solid waste system that serves unincorporated King County and cities within King County that agreements for participation in that system. The Division operates the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, ten transfer facilities, nine closed landfills, and many programs to prevent and recycle waste.

The RES Section leads the Division’s recycling, environmental stewardship, and several compliance programs. Notable among those are the Waste Stream Compliance & Enforcement Program, Construction and Demolition Program, green building, household hazardous waste and “Wastemobile” service, product stewardship, school education, and resource recovery.

Examples of Job Duties: 

• Integrate equity and social justice principles into job responsibilities.
• Implement existing waste acceptance policies for SWD facilities by providing Waste Clearance services to generators. This includes applying technical knowledge of solid and hazardous waste management, environmental systems, and solid waste operations. It also involves working with industry and the public, coordinating with the Public Health Department, analyzing information/data, and making decisions on waste acceptance.
• Track and develop technical policies for waste acceptance and lead or participate in rulemaking processes for ordinances and public rules related to those policies.
• Provide technical consultation to customers and field staff regarding industrial waste management based on chemical composition, physical characteristics, a broad array of regulatory requirements, landfill engineering principles, operational needs, and environmental considerations.
• Coordinate the waste management process between customers, SWU and operations staff, and regulatory agencies.
• Review and update existing landfill/transfer station permit documents, including plans and procedures for which the SWU has a stake or is responsible.
• Lead special projects related to SWU business needs, such as identifying and implementing appropriate solutions to problems related to special waste services and waste stream compliance issues at solid waste facilities.
• Training SWD staff about waste acceptance policies and how to implement them.
• Use computer software to enter, analyze, report, store, and track data. Maintain the waste clearance MS Access database.
• Prepare written communications, reports, and other documents, and make oral presentations.
• Cross-train and provide coverage for team members when needed.
• Develop and maintain standard work for job-related processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Experience implementing relevant principles/practices/regulatory requirements related to solid waste, special waste, and hazardous/dangerous waste management.
• Knowledge of federal, Washington state, and local solid and hazardous/dangerous waste-related environmental regulations or the ability to learn these regulations.
• Strong customer service skills appropriate to a range of customers from residents to elected officials.
• Proficiency with standard software programs such as MS Office Suite or Office 365 – Outlook, Word, Access, and Excel
• Ability to apply or promote the principles of equity and social justice in working with individuals and in workgroups, and when delivering service-based programs.
• Demonstrated organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and independently and produce high-quality results on time.
• Experience developing and implementing standard work.
• Ability to lead project teams.
• Research, basic data analysis, and reporting skills.
• Skills in building and maintaining positive working relationships.
• Strong oral and written communications skills.

Selection Process: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews and may be asked to complete an exercise. References checks may also be conducted.

Who to Contact: If you have questions about the position and wish to learn more about SWD, visit http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/index.asp or contact Kris Beatty at kris.beatty@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-4620. If you have questions about the recruitment process, benefits, etc., contact Lisa Aweeka at lisa.aweeka@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-1065.

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.