Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen Please Note: This recruitment is open to current Department of Ecology employees and Ecology's Washington Conservation Corps members only. This includes employees working on temporary and project assignments at the Department of Ecology.  The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Senior Environmental Inspector (Environmental Specialist 4) position. This position is located in our Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.   Please Note: The salary posted above includes the additional 5% premium pay that this position will receive due to its location in Shoreline, WA in King County.     As a Senior Environmental Inspector, you will work to protect the land, water, and air of the state by preventing environmental contamination through regulatory oversight of underground storage tank (UST) facilities. Serving as one of the region's UST technical experts, you will ensure the proper operations and maintenance of USTs to prevent releases of hazardous substances to the environment through conducting UST inspections, completing initial investigations, and enforcement actions on UST facilities. You'll also be a resource on the interpretation and implementation of the state's UST law, regulations, and standard operating procedures, and serve as a main point of contact for resolution of high priority issues about UST emerging issues requiring coordination with other Ecology programs. In this role, you will provide support to UST staff in the region, statewide UST peers, and UST relevant groups/persons.  As a senior UST inspector, you'll have the opportunity to serve on the Statewide UST Task Team, and advise and train junior UST inspectors in all aspects of the UST duties, including UST regulations and technical UST equipment.      Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations.   Program Mission: The mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is to protect Washington's human health and the environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution and supporting sustainable communities and natural resources for the benefit of future and current generations.    Tele-work options for this position: In addition to field work 3 to 4 days per month, this position will be eligible for a tele-work schedule, with a minimum of one day every two weeks in the office after the completion of the probationary period. During the first few months of training, most of the time will be in the office and in the field with some teleworking. The field work may include travel within King, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, and Kitsap Counties. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in "other information." Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. Application Timeline:  * Apply by December 4, 2024. * This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after December 4 may not be considered. 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 *Click here for more information  About the Department of Ecology Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan. Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering: * A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions. * An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns. * Continuous growth and development opportunities.  * Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work. Our commitment to DEIR Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.   Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.   Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology's work.   Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement. We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. What makes this role unique?  As a Senior Environmental Inspector, you will conduct underground storage tank (UST) system inspections following the Environmental Protection Agency's Technical Compliance (TC) guidance and apply sound professional judgment to identify and resolve violations of UST regulations. You will also provide technical assistance and education on UST-related topics for the Toxics Cleanup Program. In this role, you'll also coordinate with owners and operators of UST systems, UST service providers, local government agencies, and others on complex UST sites.   As a Senior Environmental Inspector, your duties will include:   * Complete UST inspections, promptly responding to UST complaints. * Conduct UST installation/retrofitting and decommission inspections. * Conduct initial investigations in response to spills of petroleum products. * Issue the appropriate enforcement action(s) to UST owners/operators when violations are observed and documented. * Issue enforcement actions and assist UST owners/operators with guidance on compliance. * Provide testimony for Pollution Control Hearing Board hearings, case reviews, and court cases involving UST regulations and inspections. * Provide training, technical review, and expert analysis in UST technical expertise areas. * Advise and train junior UST inspectors in all aspects of the UST duties. * Create new guidance documents and develop new tools to assist UST inspectors. Required Qualifications: Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are: * 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent * 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. Experience performing environmental-based or related work which can include: * Demonstrated experience in the following environmental skill sets: * Strong in person communication skills explaining regulations, codes, or procedures to relevant groups or persons. * Ability to comprehend complex technical equipment and articulate how it relates to a particular regulation, code, or procedure. * Higher education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; or environmental planning. * Demonstrated experience using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action. * Demonstrated experience reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions, and recommending decisions or actions. * Demonstrated experience conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.  Examples of how to qualify: * 9 years of related experience * 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits * 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree) * 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits. * 4 years of experience AND a related Bachelor's degree * 3 years of experience AND a related Master's degree * 2 years of experience AND a related Ph.D. Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:  * Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Desired Qualifications: We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below. * Technical knowledge of underground storage tank (UST) systems. * Education, compliance, and enforcement experience in an environmental field. * Strong capacity for scientific data assimilation and analysis. * Experience in regulation interpretation and reporting. * Routine work with database and spreadsheet software for data management and interpretation. * Experience working with UST systems, including tank installation/retrofitting, tank decommissioning, site assessments, cathodic protection testing, or tightness testing of UST systems and leak detection equipment.  Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool. Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov. Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format? * Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist. * If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. * 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 on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page. * If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.    Application Instructions: It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined. * A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position. * A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position. Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.     For Your Privacy: When attaching documents to your application (such as 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.  Additional Application Instructions for Current 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. Application Attestation:  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. Other Information: If you have specific questions about the position, please email Annette Ademasu at: Annette.Ademasu@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Annette to inquire about the status of your application.   To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov Why work for Ecology? 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. 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 your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. 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. Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative. Equal Opportunity Employer: 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 1-800-833-6384. Note: 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. #LI-DNI