The Water and Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks is looking for a Term-Limited Temporary Environmental Laboratory Scientist I for the Conventionals Unit.
 
The King County Environmental Lab is a full-service environmental laboratory supporting a range of King County wastewater treatment and environmental programs. (See http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/data-and-trends/environmental-lab.aspx
for more details.) This is an entry-level classification for conducting environmental laboratory analyses using a variety of complex analytical methods and advanced instrumentation to characterize environmental samples in the Conventionals Unit. Under supervision, this position performs and interprets a variety of environmental laboratory analyses using accepted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methods. Environmental Laboratory Scientist I incumbents develop their skills and perform a variety of analyses with training and progressively decreasing oversight.

Who is Eligible: This position is open to all qualified applicants. If the successful applicant is a King County Career Service employee, this position will be offered as a Special Duty Assignment (SDA). Employees must have their current supervisor’s approval to accept an SDA.

Duration: This Term-Limited Temporary position or Special Duty Assignment is expected to last two-years.

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.
 
Work Location:  Environmental Laboratory, 322 W. Ewing, Seattle, WA 98119-1507

Work Schedule: This term limited temporary full-time position is not exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible. This position is based on a 40-hour workweek, typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. Periodic extended hours and occasional weekend work is required and should be expected.

• Prepare reagents, standard solutions, laboratory equipment, and environmental samples for all types of Conventionals analyses (nutrients, chlorophyll, BOD, COD, TOC, ion chromatography, cyanide, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, turbidity, solids, sulfide, particle size distribution, and several others).
• Using standardized procedures, perform a variety of moderately complex Conventionals analyses using technical analytical instrumentation (autoanalyzers, autotitrators, Ion Chromatograph, TOC analyzers, UV-visible spectrophotometers, fluorometer, and a variety of manual procedures) and following standard operating procedures. Monitor analysis for instrument or analytical problems. Perform instrument calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting on laboratory equipment.
• Utilize computer software to prioritize work, track samples, acquire data, and perform calculations on results of laboratory tests. Transfer data into computerized databases to track data and sample analysis progress.
• Perform QA/QC activities to ensure that tests are in control and that quality of data meets project needs. Evaluate quality control results, identify deficiencies, and take appropriate corrective actions.
• Participate actively as a member of the Conventionals team. Keep co-workers informed on project status, problems with samples, instrumentation, etc. Constructively participate in group problem solving and decision making. Represent the Conventionals team on committees such as the safety and LIMS committees.
• Incorporate certification and other regulatory requirements and amendments into laboratory services with assistance. Write, review, and edit standard operating procedures in support of the quality assurance program and accreditation.
• Serve as a technical coordinator on project teams. Review and provide feedback on project documentation such as sampling and analysis plans (SAPs) and permits.
• Maintain an inventory and order routine laboratory supplies. Receive supplies and document appropriate paperwork.
• Follow chemistry laboratory safety requirements and guidelines. Recognize and correct potential safety hazards.
• Receive environmental samples into the laboratory, review and process accompanying documentation for appropriateness and completeness per project requirements. Enter sample receiving data and related information into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); review samples and documentation and notify appropriate personnel of any problems or discrepancies between samples and project requirements. Maintain knowledge with chain of custody, quality assurance and safety requirements and guidelines. Maintain knowledge with sample container and preservation requirements for analyses conducted within the laboratory.
• Subcontract samples to external laboratories. Prepare samples for subcontracting, arrange for shipment of samples, and track information from external laboratories. Assist in establishing contracts with external laboratories and in evaluating subcontracting work. Identify and implement improvements to subcontracting system.

Our Ideal Candidate will have the Following Competencies:

• Action Oriented: Enjoys working hard, is action oriented and full of energy for the things they see as challenging.  
• Functional/Technical Skills: Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.  
• Priority Setting: Spends their time and the time of others on what's most important.
• Peer Relationships: Can quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all, can represent their own interests and yet be fair to other groups, can solve problems with peers with a minimum of noise, is a team player and is cooperative, easily gains trust and support of peers, encourages collaboration, can be candid with peers.  
• Technical Learning: Picks up on technical things quickly and can easily learn new skills and knowledge.

• A Bachelor’s degree in chemistry OR an equivalent combination of experience and education is required.
• A minimum of one year of inorganic environmental lab chemistry experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of EPA, Standard Methods, and other approved conventional (physical / wet chemistry) analytical protocols.
• Skill in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting general lab equipment (motorized micro pipettes, balances, ovens, incubators, sonicators, and homogenization equipment) and moderately complex automated instrumentation (autoanalyzers, TOC analyzers, chromatography systems, spectrophotometers).
• Knowledge and understanding of principles of inorganic, organic, and analytical chemistry, and relevant mathematics and statistics.
• Working knowledge of computer applications including LIMS, Word, Excel, and vendor specialized software.
• Demonstrated ability to promote mutual respect and acceptance of all workers in a diverse work group.
• Proven effective communications skills (verbal and written, including professional report writing and standard operating procedures).
• Demonstrated ability to participate in team and committee efforts of problem solving and decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully under supervision and independently within a team environment. 
• Skill in prioritizing work and managing own time and in coordinating with others to facilitate teamwork.
• Proven ability in applying principles of effective customer service and continuous quality improvement.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines and be very detail oriented.
• Must be able to perform all of the primary job functions.

• Direct and recent experience in conventional chemistry procedures.
• Direct and recent experience with computer software applications including data acquisition and data processing programs, LIMS, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Direct and recent experience with physical and electronic sample login.

Application and Selection Process: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application, cover letter and resume, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

• King County application
• Resume
• Cover Letter detailing your background and what you can bring to this position
• Responses to supplemental questions