Senior Environmental Inspector - Underground Storage Tanks; Environmental Specialist

Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Senior Environmental Inspector - Underground Storage Tanks (Environmental Specialist
4) within the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP).

Location:

• Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA.
• The salary listed includes 5% premium pay due to the position location in King County.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• This position is required to be in the office at least 10% of the time in a two week period. To maintain a permanent dedicated office space you must be in person at least 60% of the time.
• During the first six weeks of training, most of the time will be in the office and in the field with some teleworking.
• Once fully trained, you will perform field work 4 to 6 days per month. Field work will include travel within counties of the Northwest Region of Washington.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by February 22, 2026.
• 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.

As a Senior Environmental Inspector - Underground Storage Tanks (UST), you will play a critical role in protecting the state’s land, water, and air by preventing environmental contamination through regulatory oversight of underground storage tank (UST) facilities. As a regional UST technical specialist, you will ensure UST systems are operated and maintained in compliance with state regulations to prevent releases to the environment.

This position offers a dynamic mix of fieldwork, technical problem‑solving, and collaboration, including conducting UST inspections, educating facility owners on compliance, and issuing enforcement actions. You will serve as a trusted resource for interpreting and implementing the state’s UST laws, regulations, and standard operating guidelines, and as a key point of contact for resolving high‑priority and emerging UST issues in coordination with other Ecology programs.

In this role, you will support and mentor UST staff, collaborate with statewide peers, and engage with regulated entities and other interested parties. You will also have the opportunity to serve on the Statewide UST Task Team, helping shape technical and regulatory decisions that affect UST program implementation across the state. As a Senior UST Inspector, you will mentor, advise, and train junior inspectors, sharing your expertise in UST regulations and technical equipment.

Duties will include:

• Conduct UST inspections in accordance with EPA technical compliance guidance, independently applying professional judgment to identify violations and determine appropriate corrective actions.
• Perform UST system installation, retrofit, and decommissioning inspections to ensure work meets regulatory and environmental protection standards.
• Issue enforcement actions consistent with the UST Inspector Enforcement Manual and follow up with responsible parties to return facilities to compliance.
• Investigate complaints of suspected leaking underground storage tanks, documenting findings and recommending next steps.
• Provide technical assistance and education to UST owners, operators, contractors, and internal staff on UST regulations, forms, and compliance requirements.
• Provide testimony for Pollution Control Hearing Board hearings, case reviews, and court cases involving UST regulations and enforcements.
• Advise and train junior UST inspectors in all aspects of UST duties.
• Create and revise guidance documents and develop tools to assist UST inspectors.
• Coordinate with owners, operators, contractors, and local governments on complex UST projects, and contribute to special projects such as developing or updating guidance, tools, and resources for inspectors.
• Maintain accurate and complete UST files and databases by reviewing submittals, documenting compliance data, and supporting performance measures related to UST compliance.

For detailed…