Consumer Products Research Intern chez King County, WA

About the Department

Would you like to investigate consumer products for toxic chemicals and identify safer alternatives? Washingtonians who use chemical hair products that potentially exposed stylists and customers to chemicals of concern. This position offers an exciting opportunity to join our teams' efforts to better understand if these chemicals pose health risks to those using these products in King County.

The Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County (Haz Waste) is seeking an Intern III (Graduate Intern) to join its Research Service Team. The Haz Waste program, in partnership with the University of Washington Environmental Health Laboratory/Trace Organics Analysis Center (EHL/TOAC), plans to assess the presence and concentration of formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents in a selection of chemical hair products. This position would support this work, and other research projects for the team, to identify products with high levels of toxic chemicals and help us recommend safer alternatives for King County residents and small businesses. This internship is anticipated to last up to 12 months, with an expected start date in January 2026.

Learning Objectives

• Be trained to prep samples and use laboratory analytical equipment to sample consumer products for toxic chemicals.
• Build expertise with analytical laboratory methods.
• Better understand how chemicals pose health risks to those living in King County.
• Create technical reports, report findings and propose recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Help to optimize sampling methods and support the design of a laboratory exposure assessment.
• Gain technical skills to further the program's efforts to address toxic chemicals in chemical hair products.

Background

ABOUT THE HARZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

This position is located within The Haz Waste Program, which is a coalition of local governments working together for a healthier and cleaner King County. The program includes King County, Seattle Public Utilities, and the Sound Cities Association. All are focused on working with community to reduce unhealthy environmental exposures and reduce the threat posed by production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. It’s vision is healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free of health disparities based on race, gender, or economic status. The program’s core values include equity and social justice, integrity, community service, collaboration, a supportive work culture, and learning from each other and the communities we serve.

To learn more, visit our website at: https://kingcountyhazwastewa.gov/

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months. 

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule

This position will be 10-15 hours/week, Monday through Friday. The position will work a flexible schedule.

Remote and Onsite Work

The Haz Waste team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is Chinook Building, located at 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98104 on the 11th floor. Some of the work associated with this position will be performed also at the EHL/TOAC located at 4225 Roosevelt Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105. This position will report to office location and to meetings as needed. Travel to other work locations may be necessary.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Position Duties

• Conduct literature reviews on formaldehyde in chemical hair products and formaldehyde testing methods.
• Assist in effort to optimize and describe method for analysis of formaldehyde in products using High Performance Liquid Chromatography interfaced with Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/MS).
• Design a controlled simulation to sample hair stylist and customers breathing zone.
• Analyze data obtained from analytical methods.
• Report and summarize findings.
• Provide actionable recommendations for state and local agencies to address formaldehyde in chemical hair products.
• Share results with project stakeholders and develop community outreach materials to support safer product use.
• Potentially work with a team to draft technical reports, presentations, scientific publications, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Minimum Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):

• Current active enrollment in a Master's/PhD graduate degree program at the University of Washington.
• Pursing education in the field of environmental & occupational health sciences, public administration, community public health practice, or other related fields.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate information succinctly and clearly in written and oral formats.
• Strong time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to understand technical concepts related to indoor air quality and explain them in simple terms.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member while using initiative, attention to detail and follow through with work assignments.
• Competent in Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Word and Excel.

The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired): 

• Current active enrollment in a PhD graduate degree program at the University of Washington.
• Experience in a laboratory setting using analytical testing methodologies, including High Performance Liquid Chromatography interfaced with Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/MS) or other similar analytical equipment.

Other Qualifications

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply

Candidates with current active enrollment in a graduate degree program at the University of Washington. Eligible candidates must have an affiliation with the University of Washington in order to support a University of Washington led collaboration.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume (Outlining relevant experience)
• Cover Letter (Expressing interest in this position)

Please note: additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above. 

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en. 
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department. 
• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Union Membership

This position is not represented by a labor union.

Contact

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Salyse Duckworth, HR Analyst at [email protected].

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