Operator Certification Program Lead (Environmental Specialist 4)

Salary : $67,992.00 - $91,464.00 Annually

Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA

Job Type : Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment : Flexible / Hybrid

Job Number : 2025-WQ0226-06756

Department : Dept. of Ecology

Division : Water Quality

Opening Date : 10 / 02 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

Salary Information : The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring an Operator Certification Program Lead (Environmental Specialist 4) within the .

Location :

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

Schedule :

Application Timeline :

Duties

In this role, you will support Ecology's mission by serving as the Senior Environmental Specialist and Program Lead for the Wastewater Operators Program. You will provide excellent customer service to wastewater operators across the state. You will ensure water quality by making sure operators have the knowledge and skills needed to safely operate facilities.

We are seeking an experienced, curious professional who can operate independently and run the team efficiently. If you have excellent organizational skills and a desire to provide the highest level of customer service, this job may be for you!

What you will do :

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications :

Nine (9) years of experience and / or education as described below :

Program Administration - Ability to apply and interpret laws, rules, and policies while managing programs, leading projects, and guiding staff to ensure activities are fair, accurate, and efficient.

At least ONE year of experience must include working with municipal wastewater treatment technologies associated with NPDES or State Waste Discharge (SWD) permits.

Examples of how to qualify :

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment :

OR

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 .

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 DEIRis 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 :

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

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 :

Questions?

About the Water Quality Program

The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington's waters to sustain healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures that state waters support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and 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 : , , , , , & , , , , , , ,

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore , 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.

#LI-Hybrid

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits :

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note : If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note : Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and / or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note : Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 07-21-2025

01

How did you hear about this job?

02

If you selected Community Based Organization, Community / Technical College, Job Board, Job Fair, LinkedIn Group, Newspaper, Other State Agency, Other Website, Professional Association, University Job Board, WorkSource, or Other, please share which one.

03

Have you ever worked for the Department of Ecology in any capacity including : Permanent, Non-permanent, Project, Intern, or Volunteer?

04

How many years of experience do you have performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the essential functions and key activities of the position, that includes one or more of the following : o Program Administration - Ability to apply and interpret laws, rules, and policies while managing programs, leading projects, and guiding staff to ensure activities are fair, accurate, and efficient.o Compliance Oversight - Ability to review and enforce rules and standards to make sure participants meet professional and organizational requirements.o Evaluation and Assessment - Ability to interpret and apply certification standards to ensure participants meet required skills, knowledge, and competency standards. o Communication and Support - Ability to explain rules and program requirements clearly and provide technical guidance to participants and partners for better understanding and collaboration.o Policy and Process Improvement - Ability to research, develop, and update policies, procedures, or guidelines to ensure programs meet legal requirements while operating efficiently and effectively.Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets : o Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.o Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.o Conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.Please include any experience gained through employment, internships, and / or volunteer positions. Note that experience gained from academic coursework, class projects, or other degree requirements is assessed in later questions.

05

Do you have at least ONE year of experience working with municipal wastewater technologies associated with NPDES or State Waste Discharge (SWD) Permits?

06

Please provide additional details to support your responses to questions 4-5 above. The following information is needed : position title(s), specific duties, and periods of employment. Make sure your response specifically addresses the qualifications above. An incomplete answer, including "please see resume" may remove you from further consideration.

07

This position requires possession of a current Wastewater Operator Certification in Washington State OR completion of the Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants Volume I / Ken Kerri California State University Correspondence Course with a competency level of 80% or better within six (6) months of appointment to the position.Please describe your eligibility : indicate if you (1) have a current Washington State Wastewater Operator Certification (include number & expiration), (2) have completed the Ken Kerri course (include date & score), (3) will complete the Ken Kerri course within six months (include expected date), or (4) have not completed the course and will not do so within six months.

08

What is your level of education?

09

If you have college credits or a degree, please list your major(s) or field(s) of study and any degree(s) earned. If you don't have this education, put N / A.

10

The State of Washington and the Department of Ecology, play a vital role in fostering a Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Respectful (DEIR) workplace and contributing to equitable outcomes for the communities we serve. We view DEIR 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. We believe it is everyone's job to contribute to a DEIR workplace. What experiences have you had working with people whose backgrounds are very different from your own? What impact did those experiences have on how you worked?

11

I understand that Ecology does not use the E-Verify system and is unable to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Required Question