Solid Waste Addendum Only - Environmental Specialist I

Snohomish County; Washington; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Snohomish County Environmental Service Section is seeking an Environmental Specialist I to assist with environmental monitoring, inspection, and maintenance of landfill gas and flaring facilities, leachate systems, and water quality at ESS sites. This entry-level role includes fieldwork, data collection, and lab sample delivery across county facilities.

Ideal candidates will have coursework in chemistry or natural sciences, plus one year in solid waste or related industries, and must pass

Qualifications

• Fifteen credits in chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, natural sciences or water quality.
• One year of experience in solid waste or related industry.
• Pass job-related tests.

Responsibilities

• Visually inspects landfill gas and leachate facilities for alarms and irregularities; records operations.
• Monitors leachate collection facilities; checks flow, temperature, pump operation and pH.
• Collects samples and prepares field data reports; delivers samples to labs.
• Monitors groundwater at sites; collects samples from wells and submits to labs.
• Monitors storm water runoff and collects samples; performs field tests as needed.
• Maintains gas extraction and flaring facilities; records data.
• Supports monitoring operations at solid waste facilities.
• Maintains and inventories equipment with ESS supervision.

Skills

Analytical problem solving

Communication

Safety awareness

Time management

Education

Vocational/college coursework in chemistry or natural sciences

Tools

Personal computers

Word processing software

Spreadsheet software

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 I position 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.

Selection Process

Qualified applicants will be required to pass a:

• Written exam: Qualified applicants will be emailed instructions to schedule an in-person written exam.
• Interview: Applicants who pass the written exam and are selected to advance to the interview phase will be notified by email with instructions to self-schedule their interview.
• Professional reference checks and credential verification
• Criminal Background Check
• Post-offer medical examination and a Physical Abilities Evaluation (PAT) performed by a qualified healthcare professional selected by Snohomish County.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their Snohomish County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

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.