Commercial and Industrial Air Quality Inspector; Environmental Specialist

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Commercial and Industrial Air Quality Inspector (Environmental Specialist
3) within the Air Quality Program (AQP).

• Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

• Apply by December 14, 2025
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

In this role, you will be able to work with a variety of businesses and citizens in our region to ensure that they’re operating within state and federal air quality regulations as well as their permit conditions. You’ll have the opportunity to educate permit holders on their expectations and help them come into compliance as needed. Besides your supervisor, you will also receive technical direction from a Lead Inspector position based out of the Eastern Region Office (ERO).

We’re also working to improve the coordination and consistency between ERO and Central Region Office (CRO), so you will have the opportunity to have a hand shaping that.

• Conduct Compliance Inspections; Independently plan, prioritize, and perform scheduled and unannounced on‑site inspections of minor industrial air pollution sources to determine compliance with state and federal air quality regulations and permit conditions.
• Perform File & Data Reviews; Review permits, emission data, facility records, and prior inspection files to identify applicable requirements, compliance issues, and questions in advance of site visits.
• Determine Regulatory Compliance; Evaluate industrial processes, equipment, and emissions and use applicable laws, regulations, and permits to make objective compliance determinations.
• Provide Technical Assistance; Educate facility staff on air quality requirements, control technologies, best practices, permit conditions, and corrective actions needed for compliance.
• Document Inspections & Maintain Records; Prepare written inspection reports, document observations, submit field data, and maintain accurate records in electronic and paper systems consistent with agency policies.
• Conduct Enforcement Actions; Initiate and support enforcement actions when violations are identified; collaborate with agency staff and the Attorney General’s Office, and testify in hearings as required.
• Manage Source Registration Information; Update and maintain source information in the registration system; notify facilities of overdue reports or fees; track compliance obligations.
• Respond to Complaints & Evaluate Source Tests; Investigate air quality complaints, document findings in the ERTS system, review source test protocols and results, attend tests, and compare outcomes to permit limits.

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

Six (6) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in performing environmental‑based work, or work related to the position, that includes two or more of the following:
  • Compliance Experience – Determining the compliance or status of an organization or group against a set of expectations, metrics or standards.
  • Regulatory Experience – Analyzing and understanding rules, regulations or laws and comparing business or operational activities in comparison.
  • Communications – Communicating complex requirements to individuals or organizations in a professional manner.
• Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
  • Using critical / analytical thinking and problem‑solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.
  • Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.
  • Conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Education…