Environmental Scientist III

King County Metro Transit Facilities Division has an exciting opportunity for an Environmental Scientist III to provide environmental compliance oversight for King County Metro Transit Operations. The selected person will join a small work team of Environmental Scientists and Equipment Operators. In this role, you will: Ensure compliance with environmental regulations such as stormwater and industrial wastewater discharges, spill response, underground storage tanks, hazardous waste, and air quality. Coordinate and implement projects that mitigate the environmental impacts of bus activities. Establish and manage a comprehensive recycling/waste minimization program. Educate fellow employees on these efforts. The Environmental Scientist III will also be required to perform both office and field duties throughout King County, share in 24/7 on‑call duties, spill response, conduct training, and otherwise work closely with Metro Transit, Sound Transit, and regulatory personnel. Some of this work will be hands‑on as the Environmental Scientist III will be expected to actively take part in addressing environmental concerns. Key Traits Motivated self‑starter, with a can‑do attitude in settings of ambiguity. Build relationships through shared goals and influence. Lifelong learner with a curiosity mindset. Effective open‑minded communicator, organized. Adaptable to change, remaining positive and solutions oriented. Resilient, open to feedback, and not afraid to fail. Key Responsibilities Manage Transit's solid, universal, biomedical, and dangerous waste programs, including waste minimization and recycling. This may include rail, bus, and marine operations for Transit. Ensure compliance with spill prevention, control, and countermeasure regulations. Ensure compliance with stormwater and industrial wastewater discharge regulations. Support field crew stormwater inspection requirements. Ensure compliance with air quality regulations. Ensure compliance with Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know requirements. Provide technical training, leadership, and day‑to‑day direction to unit staff. Review proposed regulations and evaluate their impacts on Transit operations. Identify budget and operational impacts and submit this information to Transit management. Review Safety Data Sheets for environmental concerns including disposal of the product. Provide input on and oversee environmental‑related contracts such as those pertaining to spill response, waste oil, underground storage tank work, and dangerous waste disposal. Assist in processing invoices for environmental services. Conduct field inspections and sampling at Transit worksites to ensure compliance with applicable environmental regulations. Work with site management to resolve any issues. Act as the department's liaison with regulatory agencies. Participate in inspections and resolve any compliance issues generated during the inspections. Act as the department's environmental compliance liaison with support agencies. Respond to and resolve any compliance issues raised by these agencies. Coordinate the work of two Equipment Operators assigned to the Environmental workgroup. Foster an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment. Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Increasingly responsible professional experience working in the environmental compliance field in either private or public sectors in an environmental‑related position for at least 3 years. Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline, environmental field, or closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. Ability and willingness to attend work on altered schedules including swing and graveyard shifts as needed when providing environmental training to staff. Ability and willingness to periodically be on‑call 24/7 Monday through Friday for responding to environmental emergencies including spills. Ability to travel across King County to perform fieldwork. Demonstrated experience interpreting analytical data and writing technical reports. Demonstrated experience managing an environmental compliance program. Demonstrated knowledge of small‑project management techniques and organizational skills. Strong oral and written communication skills, including experience presenting to groups. Demonstrated ability to draft, proofread, edit, compile, and finalize official and technical documents. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Demonstrated ability to document, prepare and communicate information to staff. Skill in interpreting plans, specifications, drawings, and technical maps and documents. Skill in researching, analyzing, and interpreting technical data. Skill in applying principles of customer service and continuous quality improvement. Skill in promoting mutual respect and acceptance and maintaining effective working relationships with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Skill in group problem‑solving and decision‑making. Effective communication and interpersonal abilities, including working collaboratively, listening, managing conflicts or crises, and dealing with difficult situations. Customer service orientation and skill in building partnerships with other agencies, organizations, and employers. Demonstrated ability to work successfully with a diverse group of individuals from a variety of different positions and backgrounds. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Ability to stand and walk, often under adverse field conditions. Willingness to wear protective clothing and PPE (must be worn when working in areas where exposure to hazardous materials and/or pollutants might occur). Desirable Qualifications Professional experience developing and delivering an environmental compliance training program for staff. Professional experience in a vehicle maintenance organization or other workplaces employing skilled trade workers (e.g., mechanics, electrical workers, machinists, etc.). Working knowledge of environmental regulations covering stormwater and industrial wastewater discharge, underground and aboveground storage tanks, dangerous waste generation, and air quality. Experience providing technical training, leadership and/or day‑to‑day direction to employees. Five or more years of experience working in the environmental compliance field in either the private or public sector. Certifications and Other Requirements 24‑hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Hazardous Materials Transportation (Federal DOT hazmat training) Right of Way Worker Safety Confined Space Entrance First Aid/CPR Special Requirement A valid Washington State driver's license is required and an acceptable driving record. If you possess an out‑of‑state driver's license, you must obtain a WA state license within 30 days of hire. To Apply Please submit an online application through our careers site. Update your application with all relevant work history, detailed job duties, dates of employment, and clear explanations for reasons for leaving. Attach a cover letter, resume, and fully respond to all supplemental questions. Required Application Materials Online application through the career site Cover letter / letter of interest Resume Responses to all supplemental questions Selection Process Applications will be screened to determine whether candidates meet minimum qualifications and are clear, complete, and responsive to the application instructions. Highly competitive applicants may be asked to interview. Formal offers will be finalized after successful completion of pre‑employment processes, such as reference checks. Work Schedule This position has a standard 40‑hour work week with on‑call responsibilities. Alternative work schedules may be considered. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. Work Location This position is expected to work on‑site and will initially be located at South Facilities, 11911 East Marginal Way South, Tukwila. Work may be assigned to a location within the King County Metro Transit service area, including Seattle, Renton, Tukwila, Bellevue, and North Seattle. Work Environment Work may be performed indoors or outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather. Tasks may require a respirator and the position is subject to respirator fit testing. Indoor work may include exposure to exhaust and fumes. Protective equipment and safety clothing, including hearing and eye protection, are required when warranted. Physical Requirements This position requires frequent lifting and carrying of objects up to 50 pounds and may involve lifting up to 100 pounds with assistance. Frequent walking, reaching, climbing, kneeling, stooping, and safe operation of equipment are also required. Duties may require working at heights with mechanical lifts and fall protection. Union Membership This position is represented by PROTEC17. CLASS CODE / PAY GRADE 7530300 / 64 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. For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Daniel Russell, Talent Advisor, darussell@kingcounty.gov #J-18808-Ljbffr