Solid Waste Planner/Grants Specialist
As our community responds to the public health emergency, the Department of Ecology's priority is to keep our staff, candidates and the public safe. We are experiencing some delays as we transition to a virtual recruitment process. Thank you for your patience and we will be in touch as soon as we are able. We encourage you to apply to open postings.
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
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. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.
The Solid Waste Management (SWM) program is looking to fill a Solid Waste Planner/Grants Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training) position. This position will be located in our Southwest Regional Office (SWRO) in Lacey, WA.
The Solid Waste Planner/Grants Specialist position serves as a senior staff environmental specialist and regional expert for implementing the Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance (LSWFA) Program in the Southwest Region. This position manages LSWFA grants awarded to local governments in the Southwest Region to support local solid waste management or solid waste regulatory programs consistent with local comprehensive solid and hazardous waste management plans and pertinent regulations and guidelines. This position provides consultation and technical assistance to grant recipients, evaluates grant projects and applications, and negotiates grant agreements resulting in projects which promote solid waste reduction, reuse, and recycling and environmentally protective sustainable resource management practices, including innovative materials management.
We are looking for applicants who possess excellent people skills, the ability to quickly assess a situation and make a decision and the ability to communicate with a diverse audience.
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.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
Duties
The mission of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) program is to reduce wastes through prevention and reuse, keep toxics out of the environment, and safely manage what remains.
Some of the key work activities of the Solid Waste Planner/Grants Specialist position at the Environmental Specialist 4 level are:
Senior Environmental and Regional Local Solid Waste Financial Assistance Program (LSWFAP) Implementation and Grant Project Management – independently provides administrative, planning and technical assistance to local governments related to solid waste implementation and solid waste enforcement grants, and administers regional implementation of the LSWFAP.
Tasks and Responsibilities include:
- Grant Project Proposal Assistance.
- Grant Administration and Project Management.
- Grant Program Coordination.
Regional Solid and Hazardous Waste Planning Implementation and Program Management - independently serves as the technical and procedural resource for counties updating comprehensive solid and hazardous waste management plans by providing guidance, support, and review. Supports implementation of these plans by guiding improvements to existing county programs and encouraging the creation of new programs that are eligible for LSWFAP funding.
Tasks and Responsibilities include:
- Assistance to Local Government Planning.
- Administration of Local Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plans.
- Coordination of State and Local Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Planning.
This position works collaboratively with solid waste agencies on identifying waste management strategies and negotiating and managing financial agreements. This position offers the opportunity to advocate for real work solid waste solutions. The team is committed to continued process improvement.
To broaden the candidate pool, we will consider candidates that qualify at the Environmental Specialist 3 and 4 levels. Please read the qualifications section below to learn more about this exciting career growth and in-training opportunity.
The positions will remain open until filled, with the initial screening scheduled on March 15, 2021. To be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application and required materials on or before March 14, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment at any time after the initial screening date.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
At the Environmental Specialist 4 level Pay Range 55 ($4,509 - $5,913 monthly) Goal Class
Education involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.
Professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
Possible Combinations.College credit hours or degree.Years of professional level experience.Combination 1No college credit hours or degree9 years of experienceCombination 2I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.8 years of experienceCombination 3I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).7 years of experienceCombination 4I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.6 years of experienceCombination 5 A Bachelor's Degree5 years of experienceCombination 6 A Master's Degree3 years of experienceCombination 7 A Ph.D 2 years of experience
At the Environmental Specialist 3 level: Pay Range 49 ($3,887 - $5,102 – monthly)
Education involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.
Professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.
Possible Combinations.College credit hours or degree.Years of professional level experience.Combination 1No college credit hours or degree6 years of experienceCombination 2I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.5 years of experienceCombination 3I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).4 years of experienceCombination 4I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.3 years of experienceCombination 5 A Bachelor's Degree2 years of experienceCombination 6 A Master's Degree1 year of experienceCombination 7 A Ph.D no experience required
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience and/or academic training in solid waste management, waste reduction, reuse, and recycling and/or sustainable resource management practices. Be willing and able to keep abreast of state-of-the-art technology, research and innovation in waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling, and other sustainable resource management practices.
- Experience and/or training in providing direct customer service, especially with customers that are dissatisfied, irate or do not want to do what is being asked of them. Experience working as a member of a team assigned to create and complete a project. Training related to developing interpersonal communication skills or providing good customer service.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Must hold a valid Driver's License or be able to obtain one within the first month of employment.
Why work for Ecology?
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 the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.
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
Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information
Supplemental Information
Application Instructions:
Please complete the short on-line application, supplemental questions and upload:
- Your current chronological resume;
- A cover letter explaining how you fit the requirements of the position;
- Three professional references with current contact information.
Important Note:
When attaching documents to your application (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.
It is in the candidate's best interest to submit all of the documents requested above. Applications without these documents may be declined.
Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.
Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume," may disqualify you from further consideration.
.
Department of 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 at (360) 407-6186.
If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."
Other Information:
If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Peter Lyon at: peter.lyon@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Peter to inquire about the status of your application.
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.
This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.
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.
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.