Careers

Description:

The On-site Sewage System (OSS) Permitting Program is seeking to fill two (2) full-time career service On-site Sewage System Inspector - Health & Environmental Investigator III positions. These positions will review a wide variety of land use proposals, especially OSS designs and installations, working with designers and property owners in navigating the OSS permitting process. The incumbents will provide technical assistance, education, and regulatory compliance advice to a wide variety of audiences including on-site sewage industry, real estate industry, the public and others.

These positions also support owners of properties served by individual wells with permitting, trouble shooting, data analysis, updating website information, and technical assistance related to new and existing wells.

This work is completed using digital technologies including Office 365, Envision, Bluebeam, Tyler EPL, and OnlineRME. The preferred applicant will have strong computer skills and be willing to learn and use these technologies.

Background

Through the work of over 160 dedicated employees, the Environmental Health Services (EHS) Division identifies and sustains environmental conditions that promote health equity and healthy people and communities in Seattle and King County. Our vision is healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free of health disparities based on race, gender, or economic status. The Division’s core values include equity and social justice, integrity, community service, collaboration, a supportive work culture, and learning from each other and the communities we serve.

Why Join Us?

You should apply for this position if you are passionate about regulating On-site Sewage Systems (OSS) and solving wastewater issues. If you have skills in working with colleagues, professionals, and property owners to consistently apply OSS Codes and you have an interest in water quality and OSS you will be a great fit with our team.

We offer a flexible work environment that includes extensive time working alone in outdoor, rural environments. This position requires a mixture of field work and office reviews. We have a great team that works together to find solutions to challenging land development scenarios.

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional career service, term limited temporary (TLT), short-term temporary (STT), or special duty assignment (SDA) vacancies over the next 6 months. 

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation’s history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule

This position typically works 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week anytime between 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flexible work schedule, rare weekend/evening work needed. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible.

Work Location

The work associated with this position will be performed predominately through a hybrid work schedule of onsite at the King County Eastgate Public Health office located at 14350 SE Eastgate Way Bellevue, WA 98007 and remote work. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. The Environmental Health Division reserves the right to place staff at worksite locations or transfer staff to new worksite locations that best support the efficient delivery of services. 

Teleworking:

Some of the work associated with this position will be performed through teleworking, and will report to office location and to meetings as needed. Travel to other work locations may be necessary. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. 

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.  To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team.

Job Duties

As a member of the Environmental Health Services Division, On-site Sewage System (OSS) Permitting team, you will work on establishing and advancing the goals and objectives of the OSS Permitting team, creating alignment with the vision and mission of the organization, and ensuring work is effectively accomplished. This involves work as a technical expert, plan reviewer, and team lead with extensive knowledge in health and/or environmental regulatory compliance, investigation, and technical oversight. This may include resolving politically sensitive and/or controversial situations that require tact, diplomacy, cultural competency, and sensitivity when communicating in person or in writing. The work takes place on vacant parcels and existing homes to help property owners ensure proper wastewater treatment and safe drinking water.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop, edit, and provide culturally competent education, technical assistance, and regulatory compliance advice to industries, facilities, the media, and the public about water and wastewater requirements.
• Convey and interpret public health and environmental codes, regulations, policies, and technical regulatory information to diverse audiences.
• Conduct inspections to ensure compliance with current public health and environmental codes, regulations, and policies.
• Develop and present environmental health program rules, regulations, and policies for elected agencies; represent the Department in legal proceedings, at public meetings, and in administrative hearings.
• Determine if regulatory violations have occurred, document violations, and establish schedule for corrections, and make recommendations for follow-up