Health & Environmental Investigator I (3 Positions)

  • KING COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF WATER & LAND RESOURCES
  • Seattle, Washington
  • May 08, 2024
Full Time Criminology and Forensics Environmental Services Public Health
  • Salary: $75,649.60 - $95,888.00 Annually USD

Job Description

Summary

These three (3) positions are open to all qualified applicants, but first consideration will be given to King County Council 2, Local 1652R bargaining unit members.

Are you inspired to improve human health and the environment while supporting small businesses?
Do you prefer working outside and serving diverse communities?


About the Role: The Hazardous Waste Management Program (Haz Waste Program) seeks three (3) talented individuals who are passionate about protecting public health and the environment to help fulfill its vision in making the Puget Sound region the cleanest in the country. As part of the Haz Waste Program’s Business Services Field Team, you will partner with stakeholders in government, non-profits, and small businesses to educate and support safer alternative practices and management of hazardous materials and waste.

This is a rewarding career with the potential for job progression and professional development. You will work with a team of 13 members, and independently in the field, with businesses and communities. You will meet a variety of people to learn about different industry businesses and help them adopt safer work practices to protect human health and the environment. You will also work with refugee, immigrant and BIPOC businesses and community groups to educate and advise on ways to protect their health and the environment.

These positions perform work remotely and onsite.

About the Team: The Haz Waste Program is a regional coalition working to protect public health and the environment. The Haz Waste Program is mission-driven and seeks to eliminate the risks of hazardous materials to King County communities and the environment. The Haz Waste Program serves all jurisdictions within King County, helping residents and businesses reduce the threats posed by the production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials by providing a range of services, including policy initiatives, prevention programs, and collection and disposal. For more information on the Haz Waste Program, visit www.kingcountyhazwasteWA.gov .

The Water and Land Resources Division is at the forefront of King County’s efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 400 supported by an annual budget of ~$250 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies for protecting working farms and forests, restoring habitat, protecting water quality, and ensuring people have equitable access to green space. We reduce flood hazards, manage stormwater facilities, and reduce toxic threats. Our Environmental Lab and Science section maintain high-quality data sets used in long term-water quality trend analysis and use Best Available Science to inform decision making. We house three salmon recovery forums and support the Land Conservation Initiative, which will preserve our last, most important natural lands and urban green spaces over the next 30 years. Our forestry and agricultural programs help people protect their lands and support local food production.

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 Health & Environmental Investigator I, 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 Water and Land Resources Division of 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.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:
  • Review hazardous material and hazardous waste (HM/HW) management at business sites.
  • Look deeper into the most common HM/HW problems and research solutions or identify safer alternatives using trusted resources.
  • Offer incentives, waste collection services, or other targeted services.
  • Participate in community events, workshops, presentations, etc.
  • Record site visit observations, recommendations, changes made by the customer and health/environmental benefits achieved.
  • Collaborate with businesses, trade associations, agencies, and the public to develop best management practices, and identify cost-effective pollution prevention options.


Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:
  • Bachelor's degree OR any equivalent education/experience in chemistry, natural, physical/environmental sciences, engineering, and other related fields.
  • Ability to clearly express technical material to a variety of non-technical audiences orally and in writing.
  • Experience with community-based education and outreach methods.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of common information technologies and savvy computer skills. Proficient in the use of MS Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
  • Demonstrated skills for maintaining positive and productive working relationships, such as patience, flexibility, active listening, resolving conflicts and problem solving.
  • Skilled in providing excellent customer service, solving issues with tact and diplomacy.
  • Basic understanding of current environmental regulations that are applicable to small business operations.
Competencies You Bring:
  • Tech Savvy: Anticipating and adopting innovations in business building digital and technology applications.
  • Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
  • Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
  • Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
Required License:
  • Valid Washington State Driver's License and the ability to travel throughout the County in a timely manner.
It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:
  • Experience building partnerships with people of color, people with low incomes, immigrants, refugees, and communities that use limited English.
  • Ability to speak, read or write, any language other than English.


Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:
  • Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in these roles work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically 3 times per week. 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). This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department’s vision of Green Where We Work .
  • Work Schedule: These full-time positions work a 40-hour work week. These positions are covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and are overtime eligible.
  • Union Representation: These positions are represented by King County Council 2, Local 1652R.
  • Physical Requirement: Ability to lift up to 40 pounds in order to load and unload materials needed for business site visits.

Application and Selection Process:
These three (3) positions are open to all qualified applicants, but first consideration will be given to King County Council 2, Local 1652R bargaining unit members. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience 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 these roles to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

To apply, submit a:

  • Complete Application
  • Cover Letter
  • Supplemental Questions
Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact:
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Deena Prasad at deprasad@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-0101.

Discover More About the Water and Land Resources Division: Visit our website !

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

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.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite activity centers
  • Employee Giving Program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 5/28/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Base Pay

75,649

Job Address

Seattle, Washington United States View Map