Environmental Field Specialist presso City of Seattle, WA

About the Department

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU)  is seeking an Environmental Field Specialist for the Household Hazardous Waste and Landfill Division. SPU's Environmental Field Specialists work to protect human and environmental health by accepting unwanted hazardous materials at the city's two Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection facilities.
 
This position may report to either of the two HHW collection facilities located in Seattle - 12550 Stone Ave North or 8100 2nd Ave South. The work schedule for 12550 Stone Ave North is Sunday through Wednesday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The work schedule for 8100 2nd Ave South is Wednesday through Saturday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
 
About Seattle Public Utilities:  
    
Seattle Public Utilities is a Community Centered Utility working to make Seattle the best place to live for everyone. We deliver high quality, vital services, across four major lines of business: providing water, solid waste, drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses. In addition, SPU provides drinking water for 1.5 million regional customers in Seattle and other municipalities. Our customers depend on us to deliver high quality, reliable, and cost-conscious utility services and to achieve the highest benefits possible for every investment we make.
    
SPU commits to Our City Values and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We support and hold ourselves accountable to this commitment by eliminating barriers to access and providing employees with equitable opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
    
Enjoy the following benefits (and more): 

• Opportunities for career advancement    
• Family- friendly multi-cultural work environment    
• Competitive health care plans    
• Free public transportation options    
• 10 paid holidays and two (2) additional personal holidays    
• 12 paid days of vacation per year     
• 12 paid days of sick leave per year    
• Deferred compensation plan    
• Employer/employee contributions to City pension plan

Position Duties

• Greets customers, obtain questionnaire information, screens waste according to permitted categories, unloads acceptable waste, monitors and safely directs vehicle traffic, answers customer questions and provides waste reduction information.   
• Pick up unwanted household hazardous waste from homebound residents.  
• Identifies and sorts waste into regulatory and contract categories by waste type; conducts chemical property screening tests to identify unknowns; sorts materials and prepares containers for storage and shipment according to Department of Transportation Regulations, Dangerous Waste Regulations and provisions of disposal/recycling contracts; and coordinates pickups with disposal contractor. 
• Prepares detailed records including drum logs and related documents and maintains working knowledge of waste handling and disposal regulations and procedures.  
• Inspects and maintains facility and equipment in accordance to regulatory requirements, operations manual, spill and emergency response procedures and safe operating conditions.  
• As needed, assists staff at other City facilities with environmental compliance or other related issues and assists in assessing, updating and revising written environmental procedures.  
• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience/Education:  

• Requires two years of experience receiving, identifying and processing hazardous waste materials and using precision testing equipment.
• Or two years of experience in solid waste management operations.
• Or two years providing utility customer service. 
• Two years of college-level education in environmental sciences, environmental health, mathematics or similar course work may be substituted for one year of experience (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

License, Certification and Other Requirements:  

• Current Washington State driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
• Required to work weekends and holidays. 
• Must successfully complete HAZWOPER training and obtain asbestos work certification within six months of employment.
• May be required to be on call 24 hours/day to respond to emergency situations.
• Required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.  Sometimes in a noisy environment. 
• Frequently required to lift over 50 pounds. 
• Frequent exposure to potentially hazardous conditions relative to working in Household Hazardous Waste collection facilities, such as toxic, carcinogenic and flammable materials.  Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Required to work outdoors in all types of weather.      
• A physical working test will be required for finalists of this position.
• A WA State Driving Record will be required for those selected for interview.

Ideal Candidate Profile: 

• Willingness to work weekends and holidays .
• Experience with hazardous material sorting, packing and shipping at Household Hazardous Waste collection site.
• Dependable team player with a positive attitude.
• Safety conscious.

Other Qualifications

The full salary range for this position is $40.02 – $46.60 hourly. 

Benefits Statement: 

• The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

Who may apply: 

• The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

For questions, please contact Danielle Sheridan via [email protected]

Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities at our web page www.seattle.gov/util/