Senior Waste Inspector / Waste Stream Compliance Specialist

King County; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

King County's Solid Waste Division seeks a Senior Waste Inspector / Waste Stream Compliance Specialist committed to environmental stewardship. This role oversees regulatory compliance at the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill and supports diverse waste management initiatives. Ideal candidates will possess strong skills in solid waste compliance, data analysis, and stakeholder communication.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits

Training opportunities

Work-life balance initiatives

Qualifications

• Ability to manage regulatory compliance in solid waste handling.
• Experience in writing and maintaining standard operating procedures.
• Skills in data forecasting and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Inspect waste loads and manage compliance at Cedar Hills Regional Landfill.
• Train and guide Waste Inspectors on procedures and data collection.
• Conduct desk-based investigations related to waste compliance enforcement.

Skills

Solid waste regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Customer communication

Staff training

Scheduling

Report writing

Education

HAZWOPER Certification

DOT Driver Certification with Hazmat

AHERA Building Inspector Certification

RCRA Washington Dangerous Waste Management Training

Washington State Patrol Junk Vehicle Inspector Certification

Job description

The King County Solid Waste Division (Division) is excited to welcome applicants for a Senior Waste Inspector / Waste Stream Compliance Specialist (Health & Environmental Investigator II classification) position in our Recycling and Environmental Services (RES) Section. If you are passionate about protecting the environment, public health, safety, and welfare, this position may be your perfect fit!

We are filling one Career Service (i.e. regular) position and may use this recruitment to create a list of candidates for any potential vacancies in similar positions within the next 12 months.

About the Role:
As part of the Division’s Recycling & Environmental Services Section (RES) Waste Stream Compliance & Enforcement Unit (WSCE), the Senior Waste Inspector / Waste Stream Compliance Specialist (HEI II) will serve in one of two roles, as driven by business needs, and assigned.

• Senior Waste Inspector – This role includes escorting customers at Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, inspecting waste loads from both commercial and self-haul customers ensuring compliance with King County’s Waste Acceptance Rule, and managing regulated waste materials. The Senior Waste Inspector will provide training, guidance, planning, and oversight to Waste Inspectors (HEI I’s), currently consisting of two team members. Responsibilities include maintaining the Waste Inspection Standard Work library and ensuring quality control in data collection and reporting. The Waste Inspection team plays a crucial role in regulatory compliance, worker and facility safety, and environmentally sound waste management at county recycling and transfer stations, drop boxes, and the landfill.
• Waste Stream Compliance Specialist – This role delivers service to King County property owners, residents, and partner agencies through several unique programs. It also supports waste compliance enforcement through desk investigations and preparation of educational/warning letters, citations and notice and orders.

About the Team:
The King County Solid Waste Division (KCSWD) is responsible for the public solid waste system that services the people and communities of unincorporated King County and most cities within King County. KCSWD is the lead King County agency for delivering the Zero Waste of Resources goal for the region, which will reduce valuable materials sent to the landfill by up to 70%. KCSWD operates the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, ten transfer facilities, nine closed landfills, and many programs to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use and regenerate natural systems.

The Recycling and Environmental Services (RES) Section leads the Division’s efforts on prevention, reuse, recycling, product stewardship/EPR, policy, market development, environmental stewardship, the circular economy, green building, household hazardous waste collection, school education, grant program management, and resource recovery, waste stream integrity and several compliance programs including waste stream compliance and enforcement.

Opportunity to Learn More:

We invite you to join an MS Teams Open House Meeting to learn more about this position. A current supervisor from the RES section will be available to describe the work culture and job duties and there will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions. We will hold this event on Monday, June 9, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m, Pacific Standard Time. To participate in the meeting, click here. To join by audio-only, please dial 425-653-6586 and use the Meeting ID: 657 990 634#

If you are unable to join us during that time and have questions about the position, you may contact Nathan Freytag at [phone] or [e-mail].

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Senior Waste Inspector / Waste Stream Compliance Specialist (Health & Environmental Investigator II), you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Solid Waste Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

What You Will De Doing:

• Plan, develop, and evaluate the Waste Inspection, Landfill Service and Materials Management Programs, monitor key performance indicators that measure efficiency, effectiveness and progress towards established objectives.
• Maintain schedules based on workload and management directives. Assign tasks and oversee projects related to Waste Inspection and Landfill Service.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and hands on assistance to Waste Inspection team on Inspection process, Landfill service, and Materials Management.
• Develop and assist in the development of Internal/External procedures, policies and program guidelines.
• When assigned to work in the Enforcement Program perform desk-based investigations, draft educational letters, warning letters, citations, and notice and orders for approval and issue.
• Deliver Junk Vehicle Affidavit Service, including customer intake, site visits, vehicle inspections, ownership investigation, preparation and mailing of legal documents, and data entry/management.
• Administer Disposal Assistance Voucher Program, including training code enforcement officers on program use and access, coordination of issuing vouchers, program budget tracking, data entry/management.
• Provide technical support and guidance to Division Customer Service team members who enter complaints into the Report Illegal Dumping system for distribution to the jurisdictions responsible for cleanup

Qualifications You Bring:

• Knowledge of and skills related to solid waste regulatory compliance and hazardous and special waste handling
• Experience in scheduling staff tasks and managing workload priorities
• Experience in writing, following, and maintaining standard procedures
• Experience in training staff
• Skills and experience in data analysis to include forecasting, scheduling and trend analysis.
• Ability to engage with and correspond clearly and professionally with customers and individuals at all levels of King County management
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft 365
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• A valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to travel to other sites in a timely matter during the course of the workday/shift

Required Licenses Within the First Six (6) Months:

• Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)
• DOT Driver w/ Hazmat Security Awareness
• AHERA Building Inspector
• RCRA Washington Dangerous Waste Management Training)
• Washington State Patrol Junk Vehicle Inspector Certification

Physical Requirement:Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs multiple times per day. Must be able to push a Hand Truck up a loading ramp with up to 100 lbs. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment physical.

Workplace Exposures:This position requires outdoor work in various weather conditions for long periods of times. Exposure to Hazardous Materials and multiple kinds of regulated waste to include Dangerous Wastes (Radioactive, Explosive, Toxic and Biomedical Wastes). Exposure to loud noise in industrial areas.

Competencies You Bring:

• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Manages Conflict: Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Courage: Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Asbestos Building Inspector Certification
• 40-hour HAZWOPER training

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work primarily onsite; after six (6) months determined by business need and work remotely from a home location. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104) and other King County locations (e.g. Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station, Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, etc.). This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance.
• Remote Work Location Requirement:Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week; Mon – Fri 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation:This position is represented by Protec 17.

Application and Selection Process:

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experiences and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in a skills assessment and one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit (1) a Complete Application, and (2) a Resume.

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact [e-mail].

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. Guided by our True North, we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.