Aquatic Toxicologist - King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (Job)
Description:
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.
You will help us accomplish our goals in the following ways:
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Investigate Groundwater: Guide investigation of PFAS in groundwater at landfills and work with utility staff to develop and implement a monitoring program.
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Analyze Risk: Collaborate with other team members to interpret wastewater and biosolids PFAS data and prioritize risks to people and the environment.
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Plan Investigations: Assist with planning investigations of PFAS and other toxic contaminants in the wastewater conveyance system.
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Design Studies: Write study plans (SAP or QAPP) and coordinate sampling and analysis with King County’s Environmental Laboratory.
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Innovate: Help develop a Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Prioritization Tool and track stormwater treatment options for PFAS.
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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.
Skills/Eligibility:
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:
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Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
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Strategic Mindset: Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
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Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
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Demonstrates Self-Awareness: Using a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses.
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