Spill Responder (Environmental Specialist 3) (In Training)

State of Washington•King County - Shoreline, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Spill Responder (Environmental Specialist 3) (In Training) within the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response program. This position is located in the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA. The salary listed includes a 5% premium pay due to the position location in King County. The employee must live within a 60-minute commuting distance of the Northwest Region Office. This position is eligible for a 10% Spill Response Assignment Pay once all training requirements and certifications are met and maintained. This position also has periods of mandatory overtime and requires participation in an after-hour on-call duty rotation. This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options, but requires field work and emergency response. While there is some office work, employees may telework most of their office work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. The application deadline is July 12, 2026. In this role, you will work with a multi-disciplinary team and use science to solve complex environmental challenges. Working with other federal, state, local and tribal response partners, you will serve as Ecology’s State On-Scene Coordinator leading the response and cleanup of complex environmental spills. Your efforts will result in immediate improvements to the safety of Washington residents and our environment.

Requirements

Five (5) years of combined experience and/or education for the Environmental Specialist 2 level.
Six (6) years of combined experience and/or education for the Environmental Specialist 3 level.
Performing environmental-based work, OR work related to Incident Command and Emergency Response Leadership, Advanced Spill Response and Hazardous Materials Operations, Hazard Identification, Sampling, and Field Analysis, Dangerous Waste Management and Regulatory Compliance, Interagency and Law Enforcement Coordination, Emergency Spill Response Operations, Incident Command System Participation, Hazard Identification and Field Safety, Sampling, Monitoring, and Waste Handling, Regulatory Knowledge and Application, Contractor and Responsible Party Management, Technical Communication and Documentation, Equipment Operation and Readiness, Teamwork, Reliability, and Adaptability.
Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.
Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.
Conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.
Education in environmental science, engineering, chemistry, biology, or a closely related scientific or technical field that provides knowledge of emergency hazardous materials response.
Must have ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 certifications.
Must hold and maintain a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
Must pass employment medical surveillance physical and demonstrate and maintain the ability to wear respiratory protection and chemical protective clothing.
Must be able to pass a detailed background check required to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
Must successfully complete initial SAFETRAC requirements and other required training outlined in Spills Program Policy and Procedures within 6 months of entering the position.
Must be prepared for a minimum 3-day field deployment within 1 hour of notification.
Must hold and maintain eligibility and certification (valid passport or enhanced driver’s license) to permit travel to Canada in the event of a transboundary spill.
This position is identified as an Essential Agency Employee and is expected to work during facility closures and natural disasters.
This position is required to perform after-hours on-call duty on a rotation.
Must notify supervisor immediately if the employee is unable to obtain any of the above required licenses or certifications, or if any of the above are revoked, expired or suspended for any reason.
Must live within a 60-minute commuting distance of the Northwest Region Office.

Nice To Haves

Prior hazardous materials, emergency response, or disaster response experience.
Experienced working in the Incident Command System.
Hazardous Materials Technician Certification and Hazardous Materials Specialist Certification that meet the requirements of WAC 296-824 and 296-843.
Familiarity with the Northwest Area Contingency Plan.
Technical Oversight of Contractors and Response Resources
Responder Safety and High-Risk Work Capability
Team Leadership, Training, and Mentorship
Technical Communication, Documentation, and Data Analysis

Responsibilities

Conduct responses to spills of oil and hazardous substances, abandoned waste, fish kills and other environmental and human health emergencies.
Serve as initial incident commander and State On-Scene Coordinator for spills of petroleum products and hazardous materials on water and land.
Conduct operations to control, contain and cleanup spills, investigate the cause of spills and response actions taken by parties responsible for spills, directs environmental response contractors, and coordinates responses with appropriate private, local, state and federal representatives involved.
Open containers of unknowns, take samples, overpack and transport abandoned chemical wastes for final disposal.
Offer technical assistance and limited regulatory interpretation to parties involved in spill incidents and drug lab cleanups.
Prepare and complete all documentation and reporting associated with such incidents.
Assess Threats to Worker Safety & Perform Field Duties in a Safe Manner
Accurate assessment of hazards from chemicals involved in environmental incidents is critical to the effective performance of this position.
Certification as a Hazardous Materials Specialist under State law is required before independently acting as the State On-Scene Coordinator during incidents.