Full job details available here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2163484/eastern-washington-recycling-speciali...

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.
 
The Solid Waste Management (SWM) program is looking to fill an Eastern Washington Recycling Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3)(In-Training) position. This position will be located in our Eastern Regional Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA. or in our Central Regional Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.

The Eastern Washington Recycling Specialist position works under general direction and provides assistance to local governments and the waste management industry with building or enhancing waste reduction, recycling, and reuse programs throughout Central and Eastern Washington.Programs and materials targeted may include construction and demolition debris recycling, food waste prevention and recovery, contamination in recyclable and compostable materials, assisting local governments at community/school events, waste reduction and reuse activities, toxics reduction activities, providing education to waste industry partners, and helping with emerging issues.

We are looking for applicants who possess excellent people and communication skills to foster relationships with local government and internal teams. We seek a person that works well with teams and takes direction from lead staff, but is also a self-directed initiator who facilitates meetings with local governments and fosters partnerships with little direction. Applicants should enjoy travel throughout eastern and central Washington and be excited about promoting and expanding waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs.

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability. Maybe you've seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
 
To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov.

The  Solid Waste Management (SWM) program's mission is to reduce the amount and the effects of wastes generated in Washington State.

Some of the key work activities of the Eastern Washington Recycling Specialist include:
 
Promotion of Waste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, and Sustainable Materials Management:

Partnering with local governments and the private sector in eastern and central Washington to implement and expand waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs.
Helping with statewide sustainable material management projects in a team environment.
Researches successful sustainable materials management programs and approaches from across the country and around the world, coordinates with other Ecology staff, helps identify funding and other resources, plans and conducts meetings, facilitates implementation of projects, and reports on outcomes.

Educates local governments, waste handling facilities, and other stakeholders on opportunities to enhance or create programs via meetings, workshops, conferences, or other events.
Investigates and understands opportunities and obstacles for effective waste reduction, reuse, and recycling methods. 
Prioritizes efforts on materials which data show make up a large portion of the discarded waste stream or provide highest environmental benefits from waste reduction, reuse, or recycling.

Technical Assistance for Sustainable Materials Management Programs:

Responds to questions and requests for technical assistance using knowledge of sustainable materials management.
Provides scientific and technical consultation and assistance to other agency staff, local governments, and state and federal agencies on environmental impacts of various activities.
Assists local governments in Central and Eastern Washington in implementing their sustainable materials management efforts.  This may include helping with collection and educational events.
Conducts on-site visits of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling projects in order to learn best practices, provide assistance, or gain information useful to the goals of the position.

Qualifications

The goal class for this position is an Environmental Specialist 3 (ES3). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Environmental Specialist 2 or 3 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the Environmental Specialist 2 level then they will be hired in at that level and will be placed into a training program to become an Environmental Specialist 3 within a specified period of time.

Required Qualifications:
 
At the Environmental Specialist 2 Level – Pay Range: 43 ($3,267 - $4,275) Monthly

A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, or other allied field and one (1) year of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.

OR
 
One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 1.
 
OR

A Master's degree in one of the above fields. 
 
Additional qualifying experience will substitute year for year for education.

At the Environmental Specialist 3 Level – Pay Range: 49 ($3,592 - $4,715) Monthly

A Bachelor's degree a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, or other allied field and two (2) years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.

OR

A Master's degree in one of the above fields will substitute for one year of the required experience. 
 
OR
 
A Ph.D in one of the above fields.
 
OR
 
One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2.   

Additional qualifying experience will substitute year for year for education.
 
 
Desired Qualifications:

Experience with environmental planning and education, teaching, and public speaking.
Experience and/or academic training in solid waste management, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, Washington state laws, regulations, guidelines, and/or sustainable resource management practices. 
Able to keep abreast of state-of-the-art technology, research and innovation in waste management, reduction, reuse and recycling. 
Ability to understand, interpret, apply and provide technical assistance in accordance with these laws, regulation, guidelines, and other sustainable resource management practices.
Experience working as a member of a team assigned to create and complete a project. 
Training related to interpersonal communication skills or providing good customer service.

Supplemental Information

Application Instructions
 

In order to be considered, applicants MUST include the following documents as an attachment to their application:

A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
A resume outlining your professional experience.

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume" may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."
Other Information
 
If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
 
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Marni Solheim at: marni.solheim@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Marni to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.