Spill Responder; Environmental Specialist ; In Training

Key Information

Title
:
Spill Responder (Environmental Specialist
3) – In Training

Location
:
Northwest Region Office, Shoreline, WA. Must live within a 60‑minute commute of the office. Salary includes a 5% location premium. Eligible for a 10% Spill Response Assignment Pay after completing required training. Position includes mandatory overtime and after‑hour on‑call duty.

Schedule
:
Telework and flexible schedule options available. Requires field work and emergency response; office work may be teleworked with occasional in‑person meetings.

Final date to receive applications
:
July 12, 2026.

In this role you will work with a multidisciplinary team to support the Department’s Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response program.

Duties include:

• Conduct responses to spills of oil, hazardous substances, abandoned waste, fish kills, and other environmental emergencies.
• Serve as initial incident commander and State On‑Scene Coordinator for spills of petroleum products and hazardous materials on water and land.
• Perform operations to control, contain, and clean up spills, investigate causes, direct contractors, and coordinate responses with private, local, state, and federal partners.
• Open unknown containers, take samples, overpack, and transport abandoned chemical wastes for final disposal.
• Provide technical assistance and limited regulatory interpretation during spill incidents and drug lab clean‑ups.
• Prepare and complete all incident documentation and reporting.

Educational Requirement
: A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, chemistry, biology, or a closely related field providing knowledge of emergency hazardous materials response. A master’s degree or higher is also acceptable.

Experience (5 years combined of education and experience):

• Incident Command and Emergency Response Leadership.
• Advanced Spill Response and Hazardous Materials Operations.
• Hazard Identification, Sampling, and Field Analysis.
• Dangerous Waste Management and Regulatory Compliance.
• Interagency and Law Enforcement Coordination.
• Emergency Spill Response Operations.
• Incident Command System Participation.
• Hazard Identification and Field Safety.
• Sampling, Monitoring, and Waste Handling.
• Regulatory Knowledge and Application.
• Contractor and Responsible Party Management.
• Technical Communication and Documentation.
• Equipment Operation and Readiness.
• Teamwork, Reliability, and Adaptability.

Must hold required certifications:
ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800
. Optional online training is available at the provided links.

Additional Competencies
:

• Critical/analytical thinking and problem‑solving.
• Data analysis and recommendation of decisions.
• Research skills on qualitative and quantitative data.

Educational Requirement
:
Same as above.

Experience (6 years combined):

• All the experience areas listed for the In‑Training level.

Must hold required certifications:
ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800
.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Pass employment medical surveillance physical; ability to wear respiratory and chemical protective gear.
• Maintain a level of fitness to pass periodic medical surveillance exams, including stress test.
• Pass detailed background check required to obtain TWIC.
• Complete SAFETRAC requirements and other required training within 6 months.
• Be prepared for a minimum 3‑day field deployment within 1 hour of notification.
• Maintain eligibility for travel to Canada (valid passport or enhanced driver’s license).
• Work during facility closures and natural disasters as an Essential Agency Employee.
• Complete after‑hours on‑call duty rotation.

• Prior hazardous materials, emergency response, or disaster response experience.
• Experience working in the Incident Command System.
• Hazardous Materials Technician or Specialist Certification per WAC 296‑824 and 296‑843.
• Familiarity with the Northwest Area Contingency Plan.
• Technical oversight of contractors and response resources.
• Responder safety and high‑risk work capability.
• Leadership, training, and mentorship skills.
• Technical communication, documentation, and data analysis skills.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal‑opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and disability status. We are committed to building a diverse workplace and respecting all identities.

This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.