Hazardous Waste Environmental Program Specialist 1/2/3 (PCN 187884)

NOTE: The recruitment period for this vacancy has been broadened and extended to allow for a larger applicant pool. This position is open to Alaska Residents only. Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

This position is being recruited for in Anchorage, Soldotna, Wasilla, Fairbanks, or Juneau. Pay will be determined based on location and level of selected individual.

Anchorage, Soldotna, Wasilla salary: $27.46 / $31.54 / $36.34 Fairbanks salary: $28.28 / $32.49 / $37.43 Juneau salary: $28.83 / $33.12 / $38.16

What you will be doing: The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation was recently approved by EPA to administer the Hazardous Waste Program for Alaska. This position is your opportunity to help develop and implement a new program that will regulate and assist hazardous waste handlers, statewide. You will be involved with receiving training and gaining expertise on hazardous waste regulations, inspections, permitting, and compliance. You will also be working directly with hazardous waste generators and facilities to provide technical assistance and education, conduct inspections, and enforce regulations. Core responsibilities and duties are focused on these areas:

• Technical Assistance: Provide technical and compliance assistance to hazardous waste generators and facilities. Work collaboratively with regulated facilities and the public to manage hazardous waste efficiently and effectively within the regulations.
• Compliance, Inspections and Regulatory Enforcement: Review, interpret and understand state and federal hazardous waste regulations. Complete facility and generator inspections and produce reports and recommendations for enforcement action based on violation(s) of the regulations.
• Outreach & Education: Produce and present outreach and education materials in collaboration with the Hazardous Waste Team to help ensure that facilities, generators, and the public are aware of the potential impacts of hazardous waste and the regulations and proper handling requirements.

Our organization, mission, and culture: The mission of the Hazardous Waste Program is to protect human health and the environment by ensuring hazardous wastes are properly managed and disposedof. Hazardous waste management impacts all people in Alaska, so we work and interact with individuals, companies, and agencies throughout the state, as well as many other programs within the Department. This is a new program for Alaska, so you will be contributing to the initial implementation of the program. The issues we will deal with arise from a variety of circumstances and can include multiple disciplines, which provides a variety of opportunities for personal growth and learning. As a team, we will work individually and collaboratively to find solutions to hazardous waste problems ranging from the very simple to the very complex.

The benefits of joining our team: The benefits of joining the Hazardous Waste Program include:

• Collaborative Environment: We are a small team of six, so we work together to achieve our goals. We share ideas and resources so that each of us can succeed. As we meet our goals, we determine our path forward together, as a team.
• Support & Growth: Benefit from accessible management, on-the-job training, and pathways for advancement in this flexibly staffed position. We provide onboarding mentorship and professional development as you move towards becoming an expert in the field.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy State benefits including leave accrual, state holidays, and premium health benefits.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: We believe in a work-life balance and offer flexible scheduling and the potential for a hybrid work environment once trained.
• Meaningful Work: The Hazardous Waste Program offers the opportunity to do work that matters and protects the people of our state. Our mission is important to the health, environment, and the future of Alaska. Each day provides interesting challenges and includes a variety of work in environmental regulation, outreach and education, and engineering.

The working environment you can expect: The Hazardous Waste Program offers the opportunity to do work that matters and protects the people in your own community as well as throughout the State while working flexible work hours with a small, fun, cohesive team. We value each member of our team, and we work individually and collaboratively to ensure we employ rational, defensible decision making that protects public health and the environment. This position may be located at ADEC offices statewide. While primarily an office job, duties include travel for site inspections and public outreach with flexible working hours and locations. You will interact regularly with the Hazardous Waste Program team and staff from other programs.

We are looking for a candidate that has experience in the following areas:

• Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.

• Critical Thinking: Analyzes and evaluates data to draw logical and well-reasoned conclusions.

• Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

If you are eager, motivated, and possess some of these skills, and would like to work with our team, please apply through Workplace Alaska.

Special Notice: • Valid driver`s license.

• State of Alaska Inspector Credentials (or attain within 1 year).

Competency Based Minimum Qualifications Instructions This job class uses competency based minimum qualifications. Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer experience (duties summary), training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors (competencies) and that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class. Competency Description The competency description(s) listed below have been designed to promote a common understanding of the essential elements of the job class. They highlight the more general and customary knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), tasks, and behaviors used to describe the competency. They typically list expectations, as opposed to specific tasks, and are to be used only as parameters and guidelines. A competency’s description is not intended to exclusively define every KSA, task, and behavior needed to successfully meet the competency, but rather to provide the manager/agency with a broad reference of options as to how an applicant can meet the job expectation.

Environmental Program Specialist 1 (range 14): Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the following competencies

• Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
• Research - Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources.

Environmental Program Specialist 2 (range 16): Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the following competencies

• Environmental Science - Knowledge of the interdisciplinary concepts, principles, theories, and methods of investigating the natural and physical environment, including examination of ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, plant science, zoology, mineralogy, oceanography, limnology, soil science, geology and physical geography, atmospheric, and other related sciences in the protection and improvement of the environment and its resources.
• Scientific Research - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific principles related to environmental, ecological, biological, or physical science and the methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Critical Thinking - Analyzes and evaluates data to draw logical and well-reasoned conclusions.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources. AND Professional experience developing knowledge and skills in environmental regulations, pollution control, environmental damage recovery, or programs to improve or protect environmental quality; or learning to evaluate the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of construction projects; prepare environmental documentation; and determine, negotiate, and monitor permitted activities.

Environmental Program Specialist 3 (range 18): Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with the following competencies

• Scientific Research - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific principles related to environmental, ecological, biological, or physical science and the methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.
• Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance.
• Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in an environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources. AND Professional experience developing knowledge and skills in environmental regulations, pollution control, environmental damage recovery, or programs to improve or protect environmental quality; or learning to evaluate the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of construction projects; prepare environmental documentation; and determine, negotiate, and monitor permitted activities. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

• A complete resume including names, addresses and telephone numbers of previous employers.
• Copies of academic transcripts if using education to demonstrate how you meet position-specific competencies AND knowledge, skills, and abilities that are desired/contribute to success in the position.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF THE INTERVIEW

• Contact information for three (3) professional references.
• A professional writing sample less than 10 pages.
• Pre-Employment Certification Form, a copy of which will be provided to you prior to the interview.

FLEXIBLY STAFFED This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s credibly possessed and proven competencies. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work.

LEGAL EMPLOYMENT The State’s online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor. THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY Please be sure to check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

EDUCATION To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Omission of required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration.

NOTE: The State of Alaska does not provide VISA Employer sponsorships.

WORK EXPERIENCE When using work experience not already documented in your application, please provide the employer's name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported, and minimum qualifications are clearly met. Work experience needed to meet the minimum qualifications must be documented in the application. If the application does not support minimum qualifications, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment. A resume will not be used to determine that minimum qualifications have been met for the position in which you are applying.

If you are currently or previously been appointed to a flexibly staffed position, please ensure your work experience within a flexibly staffed position indicates the actual dates employed at each level. Ensure your time and any subsequent flex promotion(s) are documented as a separate position. This is required as there are minimum qualifications that require experience at a particular level in which the lower level may not be considered. If this information is not accurately reflected in your application this may cause the processing of your application for consideration to be delayed.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

APPLICATION NOTICE You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or via hardcopy application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal such as AlaskaJobs or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to successfully apply. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska "How to Apply" webpage, found here: http://doa.alaska.gov/dop/workplace/help/

NOTICE Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095. If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the ‘governmentjobs.com’ domains. For information on allowing emails from the ‘governmentjobs.com’ domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

EEO STATEMENT The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to [email protected].

For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPasswordFor specific information about the position please contact the hiring manager: Lori Aldrich Hazardous Waste Program Manager 907-269-0116 [email protected]