Senior Air Monitoring Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

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. 

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.

Duties

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:

• Independently plan, prioritize, implement and perform activities to locate, install, operate, and review data from new and existing air monitoring sites within Ecology’s Southwest Region that will help the Air Quality Program characterize air quality, meet federal air pollution standards, and ensure clean healthy air.
• Coordinate with agency and community partners to implement environmental justice-oriented expanded air monitoring for the Climate Commitment Act and other programs in overburdened communities with air pollution impacts within the region.
   
• Perform and coordinate with contractors on installation of new monitoring locations (site prep, power, fencing, etc.) to ensure sites are installed properly and state resources are used responsibly.
• Install monitoring equipment including site shelters and air monitors and coordinate with appropriate AQP teams to configure air monitors with data logging equipment.
• Install and operate temporary monitors and low-cost air sensors as needed to respond to wildland fire smoke and other emergent events.
• Implement special project monitoring to help prevent nonattainment.
• Develop and teach classes to professional-level air monitoring operators on the operation, calibration, and quality control of air monitoring instrumentation.
• Diagnose problems, conduct repairs and calibrate air monitoring equipment of various complexity, including computer/microprocessor-controlled analyzers in the laboratory and in the field to help the program collect accurate data to characterize air quality and inform the public about air pollution and its health impact.

Qualifications

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.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

At the Environmental Specialist 3 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 53, $4,740 - $6,384 monthly

Six years of experience and/or education that includes a combination of:

• 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.
   

Examples of how to qualify:

• 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)

Pay Range 59, $5,501 - $7,400 monthly

Nine years of experience and/or education that includes a combination of:

• 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.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 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.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Scott Dubble at Scott.Dubble@ecy.wa.gov.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Air Quality Program (AQP)

The Air Quality Program’s mission is to protect and improve air quality in Washington. AQP, the Environmental Protection Agency, Tribes, and local clean air agencies maintain a network of air monitoring stations to measure air pollution in Washington. Using continuous monitoring data, we let you know when air pollution reaches unhealthy levels. Based on this near-real-time air quality information, you can change your daily activities to reduce the amount of air pollution you're exposed to. The ambient air monitoring data this position collects and analyzes are essential to the Air Quality Program’s efforts to:

Determine if air quality is meeting federal standards
 

Forecast air quality

Make daily burn decisions and curtailment calls
 

Assist with permitting activities
 

Evaluate the effectiveness of air pollution control programs
 

Evaluate the effects of air pollution on public health

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: 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, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.