Solid Waste Addendum Only - Environmental Specialist I

Snohomish County•Snohomish, WA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental Specialist I is an entry-level position in the Environmental Services Section (ESS) of the Solid Waste Division. The employee assists with environmental monitoring, inspection, and maintenance of landfill gas and flaring facilities, leachate collection, treatment, and conveyance systems, and water-quality monitoring sites at Solid Waste Division facilities. Monitoring work is performed independently at sites throughout the county, with work subject to spot checks for completeness and accuracy. The position reports to the Environmental Monitoring Supervisor and receives technical oversight from the Environmental Specialist Lead. This hands-on field role involves work around leachate, wastewater, solid waste facilities, unpleasant odors, dust, debris, and hazardous gases, and in all types of weather. Employees wear county-supplied safety equipment and coveralls in the field or when operating assigned facilities. The position may include rotational weekday or weekend standby and call-out duties, including responding to system alarms and emergencies. Employees must reside in Washington State within a reasonable distance of their Snohomish County worksite to meet workplace reporting requirements. The posting is limited to current regular AFSCME 109 Public Works–Solid Waste Addendum Bargaining Unit employees, with current regular Solid Waste employees given precedence based on seniority, followed by current AFSCME 109 Public Works–Solid Waste temporary employees.

Requirements

At least 15 credits of vocational or college-level coursework in at least two of these fields: chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, natural sciences, or water quality.
One year of experience in solid waste or a related industry.
Must pass job-related tests.
Valid Washington State Driver’s License.
Possess or be able to obtain 40-hour HAZWOPER certification within six months of employment.
Valid First Aid Card required within six months of employment.
Ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination.
Participation in a medical surveillance program, including baseline, periodic, and exit monitoring.
Ability to pass the annual lung-capacity test for wearing respirators.
Possess or be able to obtain a Washington State Department of Ecology Group OIT Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s Certification within 12 months of employment.
Ability to lift more than 50 pounds of tools and sampling devices in awkward positions; walk long distances over rough terrain; work in confined spaces where hazardous gases and unpleasant odors may be present; and use manual dexterity to operate assigned equipment and computers.
Knowledge of personal computers, analytical problem solving, general mathematics and chemistry, word-processing software, and spreadsheet software.
Ability to communicate professionally and effectively orally and in writing; work effectively with the public, business community, and coworkers; troubleshoot routine electrical and mechanical problems; follow safety rules and instructions; maintain effective working relationships; interpret work-related laws, regulations, and procedures; make independent decisions under pressure; use defensive driving practices; and manage time and meet deadlines.
Must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance of the Snohomish County worksite to meet workplace reporting requirements.
Must satisfactorily complete a post-offer medical examination or inquiry.

Responsibilities

Visually inspect landfill gas, flaring, leachate collection, and conveyance facilities for alarms, equipment irregularities, or malfunctioning systems; seek outside assistance when necessary and maintain daily equipment-operation records.
Assist with maintaining and monitoring leachate collection and conveyance facilities, including monitoring flow, temperature, pump operations, and pH.
Assist with collecting samples, preparing field data reports documenting readings and observations, and delivering samples to the appropriate laboratory.
Assist with groundwater monitoring at solid waste sites, collecting samples from monitoring wells using approved techniques, and delivering samples to the appropriate laboratory.
Assist with surface-water and stormwater monitoring and sampling at solid waste sites, conduct field tests to determine sample constituents, and deliver samples to the appropriate laboratory.
Assist with maintaining and monitoring gas extraction and flaring facilities and recording required information on a data recorder.
Assist with monitoring vactoring operations at solid waste facilities.
Clean and help maintain monitoring equipment.
Assist the ESS Supervisor with the annual inventory.
Perform routine labor and other related duties as assigned.
Participate in rotational weekday or weekend standby and call-out duties, responding to alarms, emergencies, and other ESS needs as required.