Spill Responder (Environmental Specialist 3) (In-Training) (Two Positions)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Lacey, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring two Spill Responder (Environmental Specialist 3) (In Training) positions within the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response program. These positions are located at the Southwest Region Office (SWRO) in Lacey, WA, and require living within a 60-minute commuting distance. The roles involve working with a multi-disciplinary team to solve complex environmental challenges, serving as Ecology’s State On-Scene Coordinator for the response and cleanup of complex environmental spills. The work aims to improve the safety of Washington residents and the environment. These positions are eligible for telework and flexible schedule options, but also require field work and emergency response. They are eligible for a 10% Spill Response Assignment Pay upon meeting training and certification requirements, and involve periods of mandatory overtime and an after-hours on-call duty rotation.

Requirements

Five (5) years of combined experience and/or education to qualify at the Environmental Specialist 2 level.
Six (6) years of combined experience and/or education to qualify at the Environmental Specialist 3 level.
Experience performing environmental-based work or work related to Spill Response and Hazardous Materials Operations, Emergency Spill Response or Disaster Response Operations, Hazard Identification, Sampling, and Field Analysis, Hazard Identification and Field Safety, Sampling, Monitoring, and Waste Handling, Incident Command System Participation, Regulatory Knowledge and Application, Technical Communication and Documentation, Equipment Operation and Readiness, Teamwork, Reliability, and Adaptability.
Demonstrated competence in using critical/analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated competence in reviewing/assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.
Demonstrated competence in 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 with 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 and overtime work.
Must notify supervisor immediately if 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 Southwest Region Office in Lacey, WA.

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.

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.
Direct environmental response contractors.
Coordinate responses with appropriate private, local, state and federal representatives involved.
Perform hands-on clean-up work, including opening containers of unknowns, taking samples, overpacking and transporting 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.
Participate in an after-hours and weekend on-call duty rotation that responds to spills 24/7/365.