Industrial Waste Compliance Investigator II at King County in Seattle, WA

Summary

About the Role:
The King County Wastewater Treatment Division is seeking dedicated, talented staff to help support the Industrial Waste program. We need compliance investigators who will leverage their pretreatment knowledge and expertise to strategically address and resolve challenges and effectively improve our program that serves our industrial customer base.

The Environmental and Community Services Section advances the values of King County and the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) by protecting public health and the environment and providing equitable, inclusive services to residents and businesses across King County. To our agency, success means providing clean water safely and reliably to the next generation. It also means being accountable to our ratepayers and operating a well-managed agency. We are committed to the principles of equity and social justice. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences in our workforce and are committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.

The Compliance Investigator II position is an important, mid-level position for the unit by performing core work such as issuing control documents, inspecting industrial facilities, and taking enforcement actions. The Compliance Investigator II position is expected to participate on special projects and work groups.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a progressive utility focused on providing essential wastewater services to the public in an equitable and inclusive environment. Openings for Compliance Investigator II positions are infrequent, and experience working as an Investigator II is a good career path position which can eventually lead to advancement as an Investigator III, or future management position.

This position performs work remotely and onsite.

*Note: Effective 1/1/2025, salary steps will include an additional 5.5% general wage increase per the agreement reached between King County and the Coalition of Unions agreement.

About the Team:
Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 900 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.

We partner with regulatory agencies to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that serves over 2.3 million King County residents. Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to safeguard our precious water resources.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Industrial Waste Compliance Investigator II, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). 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.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

Regulate the discharge of industrial and commercial wastewater to the sanitary sewer system to ensure compliance with national and local pretreatment standards.
Write and manage waste discharge permits and other types of discharge authorizations. Review and approve permit applications as part of the permitting process.
Respond to and investigate violations, complaints, spills and emergencies. Conduct enforcement actions for violations and participate in any appeal processes.
Participate in special projects and initiatives to support the IW Unit.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

Verifiable experience of at least 2 years conducting investigator work associated with industrial waste pretreatment programs including permitting and enforcement actions.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local pretreatment regulations and procedures. Ability to research, interpret, and implement rules in a defensible manner.
Ability to conduct planned and impromptu field inspections in a safe and productive manner.
Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion, environmental stewardship, and public health in the implementation of industrial waste program elements.
Be exceptionally dependable in accomplishing work assignments with minimal assistance required and a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
Skillful in project management.
Uses independent reasoning, sound judgment and rational thinking to problem solve and guide decisions.
Strong Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and experienced skills and abilities with database management systems.

CompetenciesYou Bring:
Customer Focused - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Resourcefulness - Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
Optimizes Work Processes - Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
Self-Development - Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
Required Licenses:
Washington State Driver's License.
It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:
Demonstrated experience and skill in working with internal and external partners and the public to address concerns and improve programs and processes.
Ability to quickly learn new systems and processes for managing work.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:
Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements maybe up to 10 times per quarter. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department's vision of Green Where We Work.
Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.
Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
Union Representation: This position is represented by Washington State Council of County and City Employees, Council 2, Industrial and Hazardous Waste.

Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. First consideration will be given to current employees who are Local 1652R union members. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.
To apply, submit a:
Complete Application
Optional Resume (will be reviewed if submitted)
Cover Letter
Responses to the supplemental questions
Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.
Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Diana Eberly at diana.eberly@kingcounty.govDiscover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our websiteand check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and the WTD Blog.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our DNRP website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alertsto be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.