The Department of Ecology is hiring a Senior Air Monitoring Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training) within the Air Quality Program. This is a project position that is funded until approximately March 2034. 

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Location:

• Southwest Region Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of three days per week is required in the office. 
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by March 3, 2025.
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after March 3rd may not be considered.

This is the perfect position for anyone who enjoys working outdoors and wants to apply their scientific expertise to help the Air Quality Program understand and reduce air pollution.

As Senior Air Monitoring Specialist, you will monitor the ambient air for fine and coarse particulate, ozone, and other criteria pollutants and their chemical constituents, at locations throughout Ecology’s Southwest Region. You'll focus on installation and operation of new ambient air monitors near the Bridge Point Tacoma distribution center, to characterize baseline and future air quality impacts associated with an increase of over 1,400 daily heavy-duty diesel truck trips to and from the facility. This neighborhood is part of the South and East Tacoma community that Ecology has identified as being overburdened and highly impacted by air pollution. You will frequently collaborate with ambient air monitoring personnel from Ecology, local air agencies, and Tribes throughout the state on exciting and interesting air monitoring projects and provide the highest level of technical assistance and training to your peers in the monitoring community.

Being a reliable self-starter, an excellent problem-solver, and a natural collaborator is a must as you will function both independently and as an integral member of our regional and statewide teams of dedicated air monitoring professionals.

What you will do:

This position offers an in-training plan and may be filled at the Environmental Specialist 3 or 4 level, depending on your qualifications. If you qualify at the ES3 level and are hired, you will progress through an in-training plan to become an ES4 within a specified time period.

Required Qualifications:

At the Environmental Specialist 3 level (In-Training)

• Experience performing environmental-based or related work which can include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
  • Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to perform work tasks
    
  • Reviewing and understanding information to apply it to the work
    
  • Assisting in research or data analysis
    
  • Using computer software for data analysis, graphing, or mapping
    
  • Operating, maintaining, repairing, or troubleshooting environmental monitoring or similar analytical, electronic, or pneumatic equipment following standard operating procedures or instrument manuals in laboratory or field environments
    
  • Maintaining accurate and complete records
    
  • Writing and presenting technical information to a variety of audiences
    
  • Understanding principles of environmental justice

• Higher education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position.
  

• 6 years of experience.
• 5 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 3 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 1 year of experience AND a Master’s degree or above.

At the Environmental Specialist 4 level (Goal Class)

• Experience performing environmental-based or related work which can include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
  • Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to perform work tasks
    
  • Reviewing and understanding information to apply it to the work
    
  • Assisting in research or data analysis
    
  • Using computer software for data analysis, graphing, or mapping
    
  • Operating, maintaining, repairing, or troubleshooting environmental monitoring or similar analytical, electronic, or pneumatic equipment following standard operating procedures or instrument manuals in laboratory or field environments
    
  • Maintaining accurate and complete records
    
  • Writing and presenting technical information to a variety of audiences
    
  • Understanding principles of environmental justice
• Higher education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position.

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience testing, deploying, and analyzing data from low-cost air sensors and Federal Equivalent Method/Federal Reference Method air monitors to characterize air quality.
• One or more years of experience in the operation, diagnosis, repair, and calibration of air sensors or other air pollutant and meteorological monitoring systems.
• Understanding of and experience with emerging technologies and techniques of air quality sampling, testing, data gathering, basic research and field investigation.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices and methods of air quality monitoring and assessment, environmental pollution prevention and pollution control.
• An advanced understanding of the principles involved in calibrating, maintaining, and operating air monitoring equipment.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.