Solid Waste Addendum Only - Environmental Specialist I

Snohomish County; Snohomish (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Snohomish County's Environmental Service Section is seeking an Environmental Specialist I to assist in monitoring and maintaining landfill gas and leachate systems, water quality, and stormwater across Solid Waste facilities. This entry-level role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and hands-on field work in varied weather conditions.

The position involves on-call rotations, data recording, and sample delivery to laboratories, with prerequisites including driver’s license, HAZWOPER, and First Aid

Qualifications

• 15 credits of vocational or college coursework in two fields such as chemistry, CS, geology, math, natural sciences or water quality.
• At least 1 year of experience in solid waste or related industry.
• Must pass job-related tests.

Responsibilities

• Visually inspect landfill gas and leachate facilities and report issues.
• Monitor leachate collection systems; track flow, temp, pump operation, pH.
• Collect samples and prepare data reports; deliver to labs.
• Monitor groundwater at sites; collect wells samples for labs.
• Monitor surface and storm water runoff; collect samples and field tests.
• Maintain gas extraction and flaring facilities; record data.
• Assist with on-call standby duties for ESS functions.
• Perform annual inventory with ESS Supervisor.

Skills

Personal computer usage

Analytical problem solving

Mathematics & chemistry

Word processing software

Spreadsheet software

Education

15 credits in science/engineering fields

Tools

HAZWOPER 40-hour certification

Driver's License (Washington)

First Aid Certification

Wastewater operator certification (Group OIT)

Job description

OPEN TO MEMBERS OF AFSCME 109 PUBLIC WORKS - SOLID WASTE ADDENDUM BARGAINING UNIT ONLY

This job posting is to fill an Environmental Specialist Iposition open to the following employees:

• All current regular AFSCME 109 Public Works-Solid Waste Addendum Bargaining Unit employees. Current Solid Waste regular employees will have precedence based on seniority date.
• Current AFSCME 109 Public Works-Solid Waste temporary employees.

Come join the Environmental Service Section (ESS) of the Solid Waste Division (SWD)! We are currently seeking qualified candidates to fill an Environmental Specialist I position.

This position will assist the ESS workgroup in a variety of tasks throughout the Snohomish County Solid Waste Facilities including:

• Environmental monitoring, inspection, and maintenance of landfill gas and flaring facilities;
• Leachate collection systems monitoring, sampling, treatment, conveyance system maintenance, and troubleshooting; and
• Stormwater, surface water and groundwater quality monitoring and sampling at all SWD facilities.

This is a hands-on field role that requires working around leachate, wastewater, strong odors, solid waste facilities, and all types of weather. Candidates must be reliable, safety-focused, proactive, quick to learn, able to apply new information, communicate clearly, and work well both independently and with a team.

The position also requires participation in a rotational on call/standby schedule with other ESS staff, including responding to after-hours (weekday and weekend) calls, system alarms, and emergencies as needed.

For information about this job opportunity and posting, please email: SPW-Recruitment.

BASIC FUNCTION

The Environmental Specialist I is an entry level position in the Environmental Services Section (ESS) where employees gain basic knowledge on assisting in the environmental monitoring, inspection, and maintenance of landfill gas and flaring facilities, leachate collection treatment and conveyance systems and water quality monitoring sites at ESS controlled functions.

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1. Visually inspects landfill gas and flaring facilities and leachate collection and conveyance facilities for alarms, equipment irregularities or malfunctioning systems; calls on outside assistance as necessary; maintains daily records of equipment operations.
2. Assists in maintaining and monitoring the leachate collection and conveyance facilities at solid waste facilities; monitors such things as flow, temperature, pump operations and pH content.
3. Assists in collecting samples and assists in preparing field data reports documenting readings and observations; delivers samples to the proper laboratory as required.
4. Assists in monitoring ground water at solid waste sites; assists in collecting ground water samples from monitoring wells utilizing approved collection techniques; delivers samples to the proper laboratory as required.
5. Assists in monitoring surface and storm water runoff at solid waste sites; assists in collecting surface and storm water samples utilizing approved collection methods; assists in field tests conducted to determine field constituents of each sample; delivers samples to the proper laboratory as required.
6. Assists in the maintaining and monitoring of gas extraction and flaring facilities; assists in recording required information on a data recorder.
7. Assists in the monitoring of vactoring operations at solid waste facilities.
8. Cleans and assists in maintaining monitoring equipment.
9. Assists the ESS Supervisor in performing annual inventory.

STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Performs routine labor as assigned.
2. Performs related duties as required.

Fifteen (15) credits of vocational or college level course work in at least two (2) of the following fields: chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, natural sciences or water quality; AND one (1) year of experience in the field of solid waste or related industry. Must pass job related tests.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• A valid Washington State Driver’s License is required for employment.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a 40-hour certification in Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) within six (6) months of employment.
• A valid First Aid Card is required within six (6) months of employment.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination prior to employment.
• Participation in a medical surveillance program that includes baseline, periodic, and exit monitoring.
• Ability to pass the annual lung capacity test for wearing respirators.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a Washington State Department of Ecology Group OIT Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's Certification within twelve (12) months of employment.

A job offer will be conditioned on satisfactory results of a post offer medical examination or inquiry.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• use of personal computers
• analytical problem solving
• general mathematics and chemistry
• word processing software
• spreadsheet software

Ability to:

• communicate professionally and effectively both orally and in writing
• work effectively with the general public, the business community and co-workers
• diagnose and troubleshoot routine electrical and mechanical problems
• read, understand and follow safety rules and regulations
• understand and execute oral and written instruction
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors and co-workers, consultants and representatives of government agencies
• understand and interpret work related laws, regulations and procedures
• make independent decisions under pressure
• defensive driving practices and procedures
• manage time and meet deadlines

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

Lifting in excess of fifty (50) pounds of tools and sampling devices in awkward positions is required. Walking long distances over rough terrain and working in confined spaces with hazardous gases and obnoxious odors present is required. Manual dexterity is required for the operation of assigned equipment and personal computers.

SUPERVISION

The employees in this classification report to the Environmental Monitoring Supervisor and receives technical oversight from the Environmental Specialist Lead. The monitoring functions are performed independently at worksites throughout the county. Work submitted may be spot checked for completeness and accuracy.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work is performed in an office environment and outside in all types of inclement weather conditions at solid waste disposal sites throughout the county. The employee is exposed to unpleasant odors, dust and debris. The employee is required to wear county supplied safety equipment and coveralls when in the field or operating assigned facilities. This position may be assigned to a rotational weekday or weekend standby/call-out duties to support system alarm, emergencies and other ESS functions as needed.

Snohomish County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.

Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.

EEO policy and ADA notice