Careers

Description:

As an Environmental Inspector, you will help prevent environmental contamination by protecting the land, water, and air of the state through regulatory oversight of underground storage tanks (UST). In this role, you will visit gas station owners throughout the region, to help them understand why monitoring of their USTs is so important, and make sure their testing and monitoring fall within our state regulations. If necessary, you will issue penalties. You will work with a senior UST inspector and shadow them on inspections until you are ready to be on your own.
 
The mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is to protect Washington’s human health and the environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution and supporting sustainable communities and natural resources for the benefit of future and current generations.

What makes this role unique?
Because underground storage tanks (USTs) are out of sight, people do not realize the threat they pose. Petroleum contamination represents the largest percentage of polluted sites in the state of Washington. The Environmental Inspector’s role of preventing leaks from tanks is critical. This job is also the public face of Ecology, so excellent communication skills are required. 
 
What you will do:

• Complete Underground Storage Tank (UST) inspections.
• Conduct initial investigations in response to petroleum product spills.
• Help owners and operators understand how to achieve compliance.
• Work to help decommission outdated or non-functioning USTs.
• Provide oversight on UST installations and retrofitting.
• Respond to any UST complaints.
• Take enforcement action(s) as necessary.

Skills/Eligibility:

Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. see below for how you may qualify.

A total of six years of experience and/or education as described below:
Professional experience in: environmental analysis or control, including enforcement, or environmental planning. Work experience should demonstrate experience in the following: 

• Conducting inspections, and assisting in achieving compliance.
• Complaint response and/or resolution.
• Conducting investigations.
• Enforcement action(s).
• Providing expertise and education regarding pertinent regulations.
• Working in coordination with other government agencies.

Education involving: major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:

OR
One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2, at the Department of Ecology. 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

• Knowledge of UST systems.
• Compliance and enforcement experience.
• Strong capacity for scientific data assimilation and analysis.
• Experience in regulation interpretation and reporting.
• Routine work with database and spreadsheet software for data management and interpretation.
• Completion of the 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operator Certificate training.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.