Safer Chemist Lead (Chemist 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen Are you passionate about protecting people and the environment from toxic chemicals? Do you want to be on the forefront of our state's efforts to reduce or eliminate toxics in product? The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program within the Department of Ecology is looking for a senior chemist to lead our Safer Products for Washington (SPWA) chemists. The office location for this position is listed as Lacey, Washington, however this location is flexible depending on where the person hired into this role resides. We have offices throughout the state, including in Spokane, Union Gap, and Shoreline. The mission of the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) Program is to foster sustainability, prevent pollution, and ensure safe waste management of the millions of pounds of hazardous substances used and disposed of each year by businesses and households in Washington State. Over the longer term, we work with businesses and governments to achieve a system where waste is viewed as inefficient, and where most waste and unnecessary use of toxic substances have been eliminated. 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. Join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, with leadership who embrace the value of people. Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering: * A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions. * An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns. * Continuous growth and development opportunities. * A wellness program that offers education, and fitness classes; an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings. * Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work. 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. During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is maintaining less than maximum building occupancy, and requiring masks, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of June 22, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before June 21, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date. What you'll do: In this position, you will have a lead technical role in building our safer alternatives program to strategically address goals of Safer Products for Washington (SPWA), promote the use of safer chemicals and invest in safer chemistry educational opportunities. A main focus for this position is to provide the team knowledge and experience in investing upstream in the development of safer chemicals, essential to the alternatives research conducted. The Safer Chemist Lead will also focus on connecting research across programs in Ecology, other state agencies, academia, industry, and other organizations. You will: * Assign work, maintain project timelines, provide feedback, evaluate progress and communicate goals and other need to other chemists in the unit, in particular for the SPWA project. * Research, interpret data, and share chemical information about potentially hazardous substances in the environment. * Conduct science-based research on safer chemical alternatives using the best science available. * Perform original safer chemistry program development, research and training on chemicals of concern and other chemical classes. * Prepare and conduct science-based policy presentations, testimony, and educational outreach as a recognized agency expert on state and national chemical priorities. * Develop and conduct chemical prioritization activities and alternatives using authoritative sources to identify chemicals of concern to Washington State. What makes this role unique? This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute in the development of the Safer Products for Washington Law, intended to protect Washingtonians from chemicals used in everyday products. This position will also help guide investments to safer products and have the opportunity to develop a robust educational program addressing important risks to humans and the environment. Required Qualifications: Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational, volunteer and lived-experience. See below for how you may qualify. Option 1: * A Bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry or a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry. * Six (6) years of experience in safer chemistry including alternatives assessment, hazard assessment and/or green chemistry. * One (1) year of experience leading or supervising professional chemists. Experience can be gained concurrently with the six years described above. Option 2: * A Master's degree in chemistry. * At least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry. * Four (4) years of experience in safer chemistry including alternatives assessment, hazard assessment and/or green chemistry. * One (1) year of experience leading or supervising professional chemists. Experience can be gained concurrently with the four years described above. Option 3: * A PhD in chemistry. * At least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry. * Three (3) years of experience in safer chemistry including alternatives assessment, hazard assessment and/or green chemistry. * One (1) year of experience leading or supervising professional chemists. Experience can be gained concurrently with the three years described above. Option 4: * One year of experience as a Chemist 3 at the Department of Ecology. * Three (3) years of experience in safer chemistry including alternatives assessment, hazard assessment and/or green chemistry. Experience can be gained concurrently with the one year of experience at Ecology as described above. * One (1) year of experience leading or supervising professional chemists. Experience can be gained concurrently with the one year of experience at Ecology as described above. Desired Qualifications: We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below. * Experience with Safer Products for Washington (RCW 70A.365) or Chemical Action Plans WAC 177-333. * Experience in green chemistry, product testing and alternative assessments. * Experience working with multiple stakeholders, in particular, industry, retailers and manufacturers. * Experience developing and facilitating safer chemistry trainings. Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool. 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 candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format? * Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist. * If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. * 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 are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology. Application Instructions: It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined. * A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position * A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable. For Your Privacy: When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.): * Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. * Do not attach documents that are password protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. Additional Application Instructions for Current 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. Application Attestation: 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. Other Information: If you have specific questions about the position, please email Lola Flores at: Lola.Flores@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Lola o inquire about the status of your application. To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov Why work for Ecology? 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. Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service 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. 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, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information Student debt: how working for Ecology can help The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details. To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog. Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative. 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. 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. 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.

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