Industrial Waste Compliance Investigator I

Summary
About the Role:
The King County Wastewater Treatment Division is seeking dedicated, talented staff to help support the Industrial Waste program. We need compliance investigators who will leverage their pretreatment knowledge and expertise to strategically address and resolve challenges and effectively improve our program that serves our industrial customer base.

The Environmental and Community Services Section advances the values of King County and the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) by protecting public health and the environment and providing equitable, inclusive services to residents and businesses across King County. To our agency, success means providing clean water safely and reliably to the next generation. It also means being accountable to our ratepayers and operating a well-managed agency. We are committed to the principles of equity and social justice. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.

The Compliance Investigator I position is an entry level position for the unit that performs core work such as issuing simpler forms of control documents, inspecting industrial facilities, and assisting with enforcement actions. The Compliance Investigator I may be assigned to assist in sampling efforts. The Compliance Investigator I position is expected to assist Investigator II staff on special projects and work groups.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a progressive utility focused on providing essential wastewater services to the public in an equitable and inclusive environment. The Compliance Investigator I works under close supervision and learns to perform assigned investigator and associated duties with increasing technical independence. Experience working as an Investigator I is a good career path position which can eventually lead to advancement as an Investigator II

This position performs work remotely and onsite.

*Note: Effective 1/1/2025, salary steps will include an additional 5.5% general wage increase per the agreement reached between King County and the Coalition of Unions agreement .

About the Team:
Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 900 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.

We partner with regulatory agencies to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that serves over 2.3 million King County residents . Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to safeguard our precious water resources.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Industrial Waste Compliance Investigator I , you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.
Job Duties
What You Will Be Doing:

• Learn to conduct inspections of commercial and industrial entities to determine the nature of their discharge processes and to determine compliance with pretreatment regulations.
• Inspect less complex industrial and commercial dischargers.
• Maintain records of inspections and correspondence.
• Learn to write and manage industrial waste discharge permits and other discharge authorizations for less complex facilities in accordance with pretreatment regulations.
• Participate in establishing compliance schedules, fines and other enforcement measures.
• Participate in conducting enforcement actions, including representing King County in appeals processes.
• Provide general information and technical assistance to the public and businesses regarding source control and discharges to the sewer.
• Learn to identify, respond to and investigate violations, complaints, spills and emergencies.
• Respond to the less complex complaints, spills and emergencies.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications You Bring:

• Basic knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations as well as hazardous waste handling, pollution prevention and chemical storage requirements.
• Basic knowledge of safety hazards associated with sampling, industrial inspections and wastewater treatment and conveyance systems.
• Basic knowledge of environmental monitoring; including sample collection, handling, analysis, interpretation, and documentation.
• Skill in using computers and applications such as databases and MS Office products. Skill in reading and interpreting graphs, maps, and plans.
• Ability to set priorities and manage workloads with multiple competing priorities. Skill in using independent reasoning and judgment.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining working relationships with coworkers and customers. Ability to deal effectively with groups and individuals in difficult circumstances.
• Skill in oral and written communication including conveying technical information to a variety of audiences.

Competencies You Bring :

• Customer Focused - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Resourcefulness - Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
• Optimizes Work Processes - Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Self-Development - Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.

Required Licenses:

• Washington State Driver's License.

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting as well as individually.
• Be dependable in meeting deadlines and setting work priorities.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements maybe up to 10 times per quarter. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department's vision of Green Where We Work.
• Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by Washington State Council of County and City Employees, Council 2, Industrial and Hazardous Waste .

Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. First consideration will be given to current employees who are Local 1652R union members. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Optional Resume (will be reviewed if submitted)
• Cover Letter
• Responses to the supplemental questions

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

W ho to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Diana Eberly at diana.eberly@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and the WTD Blog.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our DNRP website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

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.

Closing Date/Time:

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• King County Wastewater Treatment Division

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