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Site Hazard Assessment and Ranking Process (SHARP) Tool Specialist (Natural Resource Scientist 3)



Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Toxics Cleanup Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Site Hazard Assessment and Ranking Process (SHARP) Tool Specialist (Natural Resource Scientist 3) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
 
The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is developing the Site Hazard Assessment and Ranking Process (SHARP), and as the SHARP Tool Specialist, you will help conduct research related to its development. Your research will include assessing site data and SHARP tool results to determine if the tool is scoring contaminated sites correctly. In this role, you will have a special focus on ranking contaminated sites, which will help TCP make educated decisions on where to deploy limited cleanup resources.
 
Agency and Program Mission. The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s land, air, and water for current and future generations. The mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program is to protect Washington’s human health and environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution, supporting sustainable communities, and protecting natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. We envision a clean, healthy, sustainable environment supporting livable communities and a vibrant economy throughout the State of Washington.

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position has the opportunity to telework up to 90%. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. Looking ahead, Ecology has recently updated the agency policies on telework and flexible and compressed work schedules. Applicants with questions about position location options, telework, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” 
 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of September 7, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 6, 2022 The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.


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.

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. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • 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. 

 
Duties


What makes this role unique? 
In this role, you will develop and implement studies to assess potential impacts and the most effective methods to effectively cleanup contaminated sites, with a focus on ranking sites with the Site Hazard Assessment and Ranking Process (SHARP) tool. Your research will require ingenuity in the application of techniques where precedents can be limited, and the objective and scope of the research may only initially be broadly defined due to limited knowledge about the scale of the release early in the investigations.
 
What you will do:
  • Perform independent research and reviews to determine if sites are in compliance with administrative orders and decrees according to the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), Sediment Management Standards (SMS) and natural resources damages requirements. 
  • Analyze and apply related research conducted by others for the protection of human and ecological pathway exposure routes. 
  • Maintain current scientific knowledge related to remediation and restoration (e.g. new remediation technologies, emerging contaminants, chemical standards, etc.) and communicate these to other cleanup project managers and TCP management.
  • Advise management on emerging issues with SHARP Tool of critical or controversial agency interest in cleanup sites pertaining to human contact and ecological processes.
  • Develop and/or review and implement studies to assess contaminants in the environment and the most effective methods for cleanup of contaminated pathways and addressing ecological damages.
  • Research and define remediation objectives of cleanup for complex chemicals (e.g. bioaccumulatives and emerging contaminates) for which cleanup standards may not be well defined, and make sure the SHARP Tool accurately aligns with these objectives.
  • Network with other scientists and sediment cleanup professionals; participate in seminars; attend approved conferences, workshops, or courses; and read professional literature to maintain up-to-date knowledge of advances in cleanup and restoration.
  • Define and peer review research required to delineate the nature, extent, and impacts of groundwater, surface water, soils, and to a lesser extent, sediments, to determine remediation goals and ensure this information is accurately represented in the SHARP Tool.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.
Option 1:
A Bachelor’s degree with major study in a natural science AND four (4) years of professional research work experience in the field of environmental analysis or control. 
 
Option 2:
A Master’s degree with major study in a natural science AND two (2) years of professional research work experience in the field of environmental analysis or control. 
 
Option 3:
A Ph.D. with major study in environmental analysis or control.
 
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 
  • Must 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.

  • Working knowledge of the Model Toxics Control Act, Chapter 173-340 WAC, and/or Comprehensive, Environmental Response and Liability Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Experience with sampling and analysis techniques, cleanup process and remediation, and natural resources recovery technologies as they relate to leaking underground storage tanks.
  • Working knowledge of the Sediment Management Standards, Chapter 173-204 WAC; familiarity with sediment assessment and cleanup techniques, aquatic toxicology, sediment chemistry and biology, related testing protocols (including bioassay), sediment remediation technologies, and sediment regulatory programs.
  • Strong negotiation and facilitation skills.
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Supplemental Information

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 1-800-833-6388.
  • 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.
  • Three professional references.

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 Kris Grinnell at: Kristopher.Grinnell@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Kris 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.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedInTwitterFacebookInstagram 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 1-800-833-6388.

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.