Aquatic Toxicologist

Summary

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future Water Quality Planner/Program Manager II positions within the Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) or throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six (6) months.

Protect People and Wildlife from the Invisible Threat of Toxic Chemicals!

Toxic contamination often hits our most vulnerable communities the hardest-and you can help change that. King County is seeking a passionate Aquatic Toxicologist to spearhead our fight against "forever chemicals" (PFAS) and other Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs). In this role, you will do more than write reports; you will drive the science that protects the aquatic food web-from the orcas in the Sound to the fish on our dinner tables. If you are driven to address health disparities through rigorous science and want to protect those with the least resources from toxic contaminants, we want to hear from you!

About the Role: Join our team as we protect our most vulnerable communities and aquatic life, such as fish and orca, from toxic chemicals in the environment. Your work will help King County identify PFAS contamination in our wastewater and landfill systems. In doing so, you’ll help us better protect people and waters of King County.

We need a CEC expert who is driven to apply their scientific training to understand contaminants in our wastewater, stormwater, and landfill systems when the contaminant science is new and quickly evolving. If you love to work collaboratively with other scientists and utility managers to protect people and the natural environment from the hazards of PFAS and other CECs, this job is for you!

You will help us accomplish our goals in the following ways:

• Investigate Groundwater: Guide investigation of PFAS in groundwater at landfills and work with utility staff to develop and implement a monitoring program.
  
  
• Analyze Risk: Collaborate with other team members to interpret wastewater and biosolids PFAS data and prioritize risks to people and the environment.
  
  
• Plan Investigations: Assist with planning investigations of PFAS and other toxic contaminants in the wastewater conveyance system.
  
  
• Design Studies: Write study plans (SAP or QAPP) and coordinate sampling and analysis with King County’s Environmental Laboratory.
  
  
• Innovate: Help develop a Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Prioritization Tool and track stormwater treatment options for PFAS.
  
  
• Interpret Data: Interpret PFAS data for wastewater influent, effluent, biosolids, and groundwater by putting it into context relative to regulatory standards, other available data, and potential risk to the environment.
  

About the Team: The Science and Technical Support Section is a unique workplace where scientists build the scientific frameworks informing evidence-based policies and management decisions. We are a Seattle-based team of more than 40 technical staff producing credible and innovative, applied science and technical guidance to benefit people and the environment.

We lead environmental investigations, manage monitoring programs, and support clients and partners with technical services. We regularly collaborate with many County sections, local jurisdictions, universities, and state agencies and strive to protect the most vulnerable community members first.

This position is in the Toxic Chemical Assessment unit in this section, which conducts fish monitoring and designs studies to answer questions for utility and natural resource managers about toxic chemicals in our systems and the environment.

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 an Aquatic Toxicologist (Water Quality Planner/Program Manager 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 Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) 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:

• Work with utility staff to develop and implement a monitoring program for PFAS in groundwater.
• Assist utility staff with planning investigations of PFAS and other toxic contaminants in the wastewater conveyance system.
• Write study plans (SAP or QAPP) and coordinate sampling and analysis with King County’s Environmental Laboratory.
• Analyze and interpret PFAS data for wastewater influent, effluent, biosolids and groundwater by putting it into context relative to regulatory standards, other available data and potential risk to the environment.
• Support and manage other projects related to CECs such as 6PPDQ in receiving waters, wastewater, stormwater and landfills.
• Assist with centralization of unit chemistry data into new data lake system.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

QUALIFICATIONS YOU BRING:

• Ability to interpret environmental chemistry data with regard to aquatic toxicity and mitigation needs outside of a CERCLA site process.
• Experience writing environmental science-focused sampling and analysis plans
• Excellent writing skills with experience writing about science in plain English.
• Project Manager experience leading environmental investigations that include coordinating with a field team and analytical chemistry lab.
• Ability to manage and analyze environmental chemistry data

COMPETENCIES YOU BRING:

• Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
  
• Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies .
  
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives .
  
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness: Using a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses .
  
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.
  

As part of our interview and professional development processes, we align with a competency-based framework. Korn Ferry offers a publicly available resource that describes many of the competencies we consider during hiring and performance discussions.

You’re welcome to review these materials to get a general understanding of the types of competencies we may be looking for:
https://www.kornferry.com/fyi-resources

Please note that while we draw on this model to inform our practices, we use it in a way that is tailored to our organization’s needs.

IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU ALSO BRING:

• Professional experience interpreting PFAS groundwater, soil, or wastewater data for ecological or human health risk.
  
• Professional experience in chemistry database management.
  
• R and Python/SQL coding skills.
  
• Geospatial analysis or geospatial data management skills.
  
• Education or work experience in wastewater or solid waste facility operations or management.
  

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Work Location: The team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson, Seattle, Washington 98104.
  • Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
  • King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117.
• Physical Requirements:
  Must be able to go to field sites like landfills and wastewater treatment plants which might include uneven ground and walk around for at least 45 minutes at a time.

Application and Selection Process: We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

We will review applications based on clarity, completeness, and alignment with the qualifications outlined in this posting.

When you apply, make sure your materials clearly show how you meet the core technical requirements. Highlight your experience interpreting environmental chemistry data-specifically regarding aquatic toxicity and PFAS in matrices like wastewater, biosolids, or groundwater . Call out the specific Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAPs or QAPPs) you have authored or co-authored, noting the experimental design and the study questions they addressed .

For project management, be specific about environmental investigations where you coordinated with independent field teams and analytical labs ; please note that solo academic thesis work does not count toward this requirement . If you list geospatial skills, go beyond basic map-making: describe your experience with spatial interpolation or kriging , specify whether you managed raster or vector data , and list the tools used (such as ArcGIS Pro) . Finally, detail your proficiency with R, Python, or SQL , specifically describing how you have used them to automate statistical testing or visualize large datasets ,

To apply, please submit the following:

• Complete Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Answers to supplemental questions (We’re looking for original answers that showcase your relevant job experience(s). The answers to the supplemental questions will be used in the screening process)

Note: A resume and cover letter are optional and will be reviewed if submitted. Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jamie Jensen-Young at 206-263-8779 or jjensenyoung@kingcounty.gov.

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:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• 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: eligible King County employees may 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: 12/21/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• King County Water and Land Resources Division

• 206-477-4800

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