Environmental Lab Scientist- Field

Summary

This is a great opportunity for an energetic and enthusiastic person with excellent scientific and technical skills to join our team. The Field Science Unit is a group of active and innovative scientists. We are looking for an Environmental Laboratory Scientist, someone excited about science and the health of our region’s people and ecosystems. If you are interested in a position that combines your technical talents with an opportunity to support efforts to protect our environment actively, this job may be for you!

The Field Science Unit (FSU) provides outstanding sampling and data collection services for King County’s Water and Land Resources, the Wastewater Treatment Division, other King County agencies and regional partners. FSU works within King County and beyond, utilizing vehicles and vessels to conduct operations on land and water. This demanding but rewarding in‑person job involves environmental sampling outdoors in all types of weather.

FSU scientists spend a large amount of time in the field using state‑of‑the‑art equipment to collect samples and data. Responsibilities include in‑lab tasks as well as field assignments, routine scheduled samplings of marine and freshwater bodies, and monitoring in King County sewage and stormwater facilities. Each team member coordinates field aspects of specific projects, develops sampling plans, prepares bottle kits, schedules work, processes field data, maintains field instruments and equipment, and manages and maintains remote monitoring buoys and moorings.

The new hire will also manage the FSU fleet of Sea‑Bird instruments and data produced by them.

The FSU is made up of approximately nine people who share a variety of indoor and outdoor functions. Employees collaborate to complete tasks and solve problems and frequently spend long days in vehicles or aboard vessels. The successful candidate will function well independently or as part of a team, bringing energy, curiosity, self‑motivation and strong technical and problem‑solving skills. Prior experience in environmental monitoring is desired, particularly with Sea‑Bird Scientific instrumentation and water‑quality buoys and moorings.

New members receive training and progressive oversight, while the culture promotes cross‑training and continuous learning.

King County is a diverse and vibrant community. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. As an Environmental Lab Scientist – Field (Environmental Laboratory Scientist II) you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

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.

• Perform environmental sampling and data acquisition using a variety of equipment, instrumentation and methods. Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAPs) and Quality Assurance Plans (QAPs).
• Function as a deck hand/scientist/technician on research vessels (e.g., R/V Sound Guardian); safely trailer and operate smaller boats; safely operate motor vehicles.
• Calibrate, operate, deploy, maintain and troubleshoot field instrumentation; perform and document associated QC tasks.
• Work collaboratively with the Field Science Unit team, lab personnel and project planners/customers to accomplish sampling and data quality objectives.
• Follow safety requirements and guidelines, maintain situational awareness in a fast‑changing outside‑of‑lab environment; recognize and react appropriately to potential hazards; identify and utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Perform in‑lab tasks such as preparing instruments/equipment, preparing field sampling kits, entering field data to the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), scheduling sampling events, and collaborating on project planning and management tasks.

• Experience and…