Outdoor Burn and Monitoring Unit Manager

 

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.

Ecology's Air Quality Program (AQP) has an exciting and dynamic position open in our Spokane Office. The Outdoor Burn and Monitoring Unit Manager (WMS Band 1) position is located in our Eastern Regional Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.

The Outdoor Burn and Monitoring (OB&M) Unit Manager position is responsible for managing and administering all state and federal air quality regulatory activities related to agricultural, non-agricultural burning, woodstove use and AQ Monitoring within the Eastern Regional Office (ERO) Section. These activities include support, supervision, work task coordination, administrative and personnel requirements of five professional and technical staff that implement state and federal air quality requirements within the Eastern Region. The OB&M Unit manager is directed by the AQP Section manager, and also advises and informs the Section manager regarding all burning and smoke management regulatory issues except silvicultural burning and all AQ monitoring activities. This position participates at a state wide level on AQP policy and rule making. The position also advocates change within the AQP, especially on how to conduct our regulatory responsibilities in a manner that is both effective and efficient in the current political and fiscal climate. 

 

We are looking for applicants who possess excellent customer service skills and patience, the ability to quickly assess a situation and make a decision, the ability to communicate with a diverse audience, and the ability to supervise a team.

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

 

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like, or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

 

 

 

Duties

 

The Eastern Regional Office (ERO) Section of the Air Quality Program (AQP) is responsible for regulatory implementation in 12 eastern Washington counties. The Outdoor Burn and Monitoring Unit (OB&M Unit) is responsible for implementing air quality burning regulations for agriculture, non-agriculture and woodstove activities. The OB&M unit is also responsible for monitoring PM-10, PM 2.5, Ozone, and weather/Met stations throughout Eastern and Central Washington and acts under contract with three Washington Tribes for monitoring on their lands. 

 

Some of the key work activities of the Outdoor Burn and Monitoring (OB&M) Unit Manager position are:

Successfully reduce or eliminate smoke intrusions from agricultural, outdoor, and residential burning in Eastern Washington. This position does this by ensuring that Ecology's Burn Unit efficiently oversees burn permits or penalties, correctly decides and communicates a daily burn decision to permit holders, educates the public on burning laws and regulations, and maintains positive professional relationships with the public and the agricultural community.

 

Public complaints related to agricultural, outdoor, and residential smoke intrusion within the 12-county jurisdiction of Ecology's Eastern Region. This involves speaking with the complainant about the problem, calling or visiting the suspected burner, assessing the particular situation in person, and talking with them about smoke laws. Sometimes formal warnings or monetary penalties are issued.

 

Ecology's air quality program works hard to protect the air we breathe in Washington. Being able to educate the public, resolve a problem with air pollution, or work together with citizens and farmers in Washington to ensure communities are not affected by smoke gives a good feeling of making a positive contribution to society through work in an environmental regulatory field. For more information: Air & Climate.

 

The Burn Unit makes daily burn decisions and answers burn calls 7-days a week, including holidays. They do this by staggering shifts between the 5 staff members (including this position). As they become skilled, they may be able to do this work remotely on weekends or holidays. This position also takes complaint calls, sometimes from upset or confused callers. This position may also go on site to visit and speak with owners of potential illegal burns.

 

We feel that ERO's Air Quality section (which includes the Commercial/Industrial Unit) is a friendly and likeable group with a great sense of humor. The Burn Unit team supports each other very well, such as offering to take the weekend burn call if a team member has plans or obligations. The work-life balance is excellent and encouraged here. Management is supportive, flexible, and considerate. We also have quarterly (or spontaneous) after-work social events, especially during summertime and the holidays.

 

 

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in environmental, physical, or natural science.

 

 

Five years of experience managing environmental work activities or experience as a senior environmental specialist working on complex and highly technical projects.

 

 

A Master's degree in one of the above fields AND three (3) years of professional-level experience as required above.

 

 

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two (2) years of professional-level experience as required above.

 

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment.

A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS),  Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth

 

Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

 

Supplemental Information

 

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume" may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."

 

 

If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email David Knight at: dkni461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact David to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.