On-site Sewage System Industry Quality Assurance Lead (Health and Environmental Investigator III)



On-site Sewage System Industry Quality Assurance Lead (Health and Environmental Investigator III)

Salary

$88,920.00 - $112,715.20 Annually

Location

Bellevue, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

Job Number

2021NH14926

Department

DPH - Public Health

Division

Environmental Health Svcs

Opening Date

05/04/2022

Closing Date

5/23/2022 12:00 AM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

C9C : PROTEC17-DPH, DCHS-EnvHlth Pro

Summary


This recruitment is being reposted to expand the applicants pool. If you applied between December 15, 2021 to March 3, 2022, you are not required to submit a new application. 

Are you interested in promoting excellent wastewater treatment and fair code enforcement? Are you passionate about building positive partnerships to find solutions that meet the needs of various stakeholders? If so, the On-site Sewage System Operation and Maintenance (OSS O&M) Program may be looking for you to be our OSS Industry Lead.
 
The OSS O&M Program is seeking to fill a full-time career service Health & Environmental Investigator III position. The OSS Industry Lead will work with the program supervisor and other health & environmental investigators to promote high-quality services by OSS industry professionals that comply with state and local codes, regulations, and policies. The incumbent will provide oversight over industry professionals’ activities, taking the appropriate investigative and enforcement measures to ensure that codes are met and OSS are properly installed and maintained. The OSS Industry Lead will work to build a cooperative environment where service provider and regulator can work in partnership to improve processes and advance wastewater treatment solutions. The ideal candidate will be skilled at building professional relationships of respect and trust, have experience developing creative solutions to complex problems, and have a thorough understanding of on-site sewage system technologies and science.
 
 
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION: 
The Environmental Health Services Division's mission is to identify and sustain environmental conditions that promote healthy people and healthy communities.  Through the work of over 150 dedicated employees, the Environmental Health Services Division identifies and sustains environmental conditions that promote health equity and healthy people and communities in Seattle and King County.  Our vision is healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free of health disparities based on race, gender or economic status.  The Division’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, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/ehs.
 
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: 
As the only jurisdiction in the world 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.
 
We have 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 vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
 
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Job Duties

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate risk-based, community-informed, equitable codes and policies for OSS industry oversight.
  • Respond to public complaints and inquiries related to OSS industry performance.
  • Collect information as needed to investigate reports of OSS industry violations, for example by performing field inspections and gathering information through interviews.
  • Determine if regulatory violations have occurred, document violations, establish schedule for corrections, and follow up with appropriate technical assistance or enforcement to ensure that code requirements are met.
  • Use computerized database management systems to maintain thorough and accurate records and support data system process improvement or transitions. 
  • Create and routinely run data reports to monitor certified OSS industry performance.
  • Provide leadership and support for the OSS technical advisory committee.
  • Lead and support ongoing operations and process improvement of OSS industry certification processes, including initial examination and certification and annual renewals.
  • Communicate OSS industry oversight policies to members of the public, elected officials, and program stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with local, state, and national agencies to invest in new opportunities to expand OSS industry, for example by developing trainings and apprenticeship programs with local college/university.
  • Evaluate individual actions and program policies and recommend and implement changes to increase racial, social, and economic equity in services.
  • Train, mentor, and assist other health and environmental investigators and permit technicians.
  • Perform other program tasks as needed (for example review building applications, record drawings, and time of sale applications).

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

  • At least three years of demonstrated work experience in on-site wastewater treatment.
  • Demonstrated experience researching, interpreting and applying public health knowledge and environmental codes, regulations, and policies, while considering the characteristics of individual situations.
  • Demonstrated skill in conducting complex environmental health or code enforcement investigations.
  • Demonstrated skill in building positive working relationship with individuals that you also regulate.
  • Demonstrated skill in synthesizing a variety of information, assessing organizational and political impact, and proposing solutions.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively use permitting, reporting, and data management software for data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
  • Demonstrated ability to appropriately respond to conflict and deescalate difficult situations to provide excellent customer service in broadly diverse populations.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple projects while working effectively as a team player to deliver quality and timely products.
 
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, or other related field.
  • Demonstrated experience in permitting, designing, and/or installing on-site sewage systems.
  • Demonstrated experience developing local environmental health codes and policies.
  • Demonstrated skill writing, analyzing, and presenting policies, regulations, and correspondence.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify and address individual and systemic barriers to compliance or participation.
 
LICENSING/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Within six months of hire, Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or from the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians (WSBRS).   Both NEHA and WSBRS provide applications for REHS/RS credentialing by examination or via reciprocity.  
 
REHS/RS credentialing information is available from NEHA at:  
www.neha.org/professional-development/credentials/rehsrs-credential 
 
REHS/RS credentialing information is available from WSBRS at:  www.wsbrs.org  

Washington State On-site Sewage System Designer License or Investigator Certification per Chapter 196-32 WAC within 24 months of hire date.
 
Valid Washington State driver's license.
 
All required licenses and certifications must be maintained in active status without suspension or revocation throughout employment.  

Supplemental Information

Forbes recently 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.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.

As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:

  • submit proof of vaccination, or
  • have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.

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: This position is open to all qualified candidates. Currently, we are recruiting for one full time Career Service position. In addition, applicants from this recruitment may be used to create a list of qualified candidates for future career service, term-limited temporary, and special duty assignment (SDA) positions that may occur in the next 6 months in this program. 
 
Application Process: 
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
  • An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the "Apply" link) including work history and position duties.
  • A cover letter describing your interest in this position and how do you meet the required qualifications for this job.
  • Responses to supplemental questions.
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.
  • The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
  • Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
  • Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location, and working hours.
Necessary Special Requirements
  • The selected candidate will be required to submit to a thorough background investigation. Records are not automatically disqualifying.
  • Candidates selected are required to pass a pre-employment physical exam.   
  • Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
  • Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required training on time.
 
Working Conditions and Physical Requirement
  • This position requires the ability to perform work duties both indoors in an office environment and in the field in a variety of weather conditions.
  • Exposure to individuals from the public who are upset, angry, agitated, and sometimes hostile, requiring the use of conflict management and de-escalation skills.
  • This position will require the incumbent to occasionally travel by ferry.

Work Schedule
This position is overtime eligible and is covered by the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.  The regular workweek is 40 hours, Monday to Friday.  Occasional evenings, weekends, on-call work, and some travel are required.
 

Work Location: 
Currently telework with occasional work at Eastgate Public Health Center, 14350 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue

The Environmental Health Division reserves the right to place staff at worksite locations or transfer staff to new worksite locations that best support the efficient delivery of services.
 

Temporary Telecommuting Requirement
Some work associated with this position will be performed remotely.  
 
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop  and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.  Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.  There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite.  Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer.
 
To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.  
 
Union Affiliation:
This position is represented by Protect Local 17 Union.

Contact:
If you have questions about the position, please contact Meagan Jackson at mejackson@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-0547. If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Nic Horea, Senior Human Resource Analyst at nicolae.horea@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-8736.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 12 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite gyms and activity centers
  • Employee giving program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
Are you:
  • Currently certified as Registered Sanitarian (RS) by the Washington State Board of Registered Sanitarians, OR
  • Currently certified as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist /Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) by the National Environmental Health Association, OR
  • None of the above
02
If you answered "none of the above" for question # 1, are you able to obtain one of the certification listed above within six (6) months of hire?
  • Yes
  • No
  • N/A
03
Do you have a good understanding of environmental health local, state, and federal codes and regulations, especially those that apply to on-site wastewater treatment?
  • Yes
  • No
04
If you answered yes to question #3, Please describe which codes you have worked with in the past. If you answered no, put N/A.
05
Do you have experience using permitting, reporting, and data management software for data collection, analysis, and interpretation?
  • Yes
  • No
06
If you answered "yes" to question # 5, please describe which software you used and how you used it for permitting, reporting, data management, and/or data analysis. If you answered no, put N/A.
07
Do you have experience conducting complex investigations regarding code violations?
  • Yes
  • No
08
If you answered "yes" to question #7, please describe your experience with code compliance investigations. If you answered no, put N/A.
09
Do you have experience building positive working relationships with individuals that you also regulate?
  • Yes
  • No
10
If you answered "yes" to question #9, , please describe your experience and list which regulatory fields you have experience in. If you answered 'no", type N/A
11
Are you applying to this position as an eligible Current or Previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
  • Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
  • No.
12
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

Required Question

Agency
King County
Address
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone
206-477-3404