Lead Spill Responder (Environmental Specialist 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Lead Spill Responder (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program.

Location:

• Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA.
• The salary listed includes an additional 5% premium pay due to the position location in King County.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities as well as work in the field during response activities. 
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by June 25, 2025
• 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 June 25, 2025, may not be considered.

Duties

In this role, you will work with a multi-disciplinary team and use science to solve complex environmental and public health 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.

The compelling motivation for this work is public service and the ability to use science to solve environmental and public health challenges. We are looking for applicants who possess a strong public service ethic, are comfortable working in a leadership role, who excel working in a team environment, thrive working in a dynamic ever-changing work environment, with shifting priorities, and schedule changes, enjoy a mix of field work and office work and are motivated by making a difference protecting human health and the environment.

What you will do:

• Serve as Washington State’s lead representative responding to and cleaning up complex hazardous materials spills.
• Act as a unit expert, training and mentoring others responding to and cleaning-up oil and hazardous materials spills and responding to illegal drug labs.
• Perform hands-on clean-up work, including opening unknown drums/containers, sampling, overpack chemicals, and transports waste.
• Complete case documentation in support of enforcement and cost recovery actions.

Please Note: This position is required to serve as a duty officer for after-hours, on-call pager duty on a regular rotation. Upon completion of the required training and successful medical surveillance baseline examination, the candidate will be assigned to the Emergency Spill Response Team and will be eligible for a 10% assignment pay. Likewise, Spill Responders are periodically required to be on call outside of scheduled work hours and are paid an hourly Standby Rate of 7% of the regular hourly rate. Also, if you work on a response activity outside of your scheduled work hours, you will receive Responder Pay of 150% of your regular hourly pay.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Nine years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the duties of the position that includes one or more of the following:
  
  • Responding to spills or other emergencies
     
  • Conducting sampling and analysis studies
     
  • Working with monitoring instrumentation
     
  • Managing hazardous waste disposal
     
  • Performing cleanup or restoration actions
     
  • Writing scientific or analytical reports
     
  • Hazardous materials emergency response
     
  • Responding to natural disasters.
• Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or closely related field.

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
 

• Experience directing cleanup work on environmental spill emergencies or hazardous materials cleanup sites.
   
• 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.
   

 Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of 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.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

For all education levels:
Hazardous Materials Technician Certification per WAC 296-824 and 296-843 is required. Must have prior hazardous materials emergency response experience.

ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 certification is required at the time of application.  

Free online ICS training and certification is available at:

ICS 100:https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.c

ICS 200:https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-200.c

ICS 700: https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-700.b

ICS 800:https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-800.c

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must pass employment medical surveillance physical and demonstrate and maintain the ability to wear respiratory protection and chemical protective clothing.
• Must pass a physical agilities test.
• 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 required to maintain a personal level of fitness necessary to pass a periodic medical surveillance exam, which may include a stress test.
• This position is identified as an Essential Agency Employee and is expected to work during facility closures and natural disasters.
• 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 90-minute commuting distance of the Northwest Shoreline Office.

Desired Qualifications:

• Team leadership experience.
• Working Knowledge of the NW Area Contingency Plan.
• Familiarity with Washington Labor and Industry HAZWOPER safety regulations and experience developing site-specific health and safety plans.
• Experience working in Unified Command with the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Coast Guard, and Tribes.
• Possess a high level of knowledge using electronic tools and integrating them into emergency responses, such as GPS devices, wireless networks, and data systems.
• Worker safety and Community Air Monitoring experience.
• Experience collecting waste and environmental samples.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

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.

Application Process

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 job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Robert Walls at Robert.Walls@ecy.wa.gov
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program

The Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program’s mission is to protect preserve, and restore Washington’s environment. The Spill Program’s vision is to create a zero spills world. 

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology 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. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

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.

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.

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 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

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.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

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.