Health and Environmental Investigator I

Summary

Are you passionate about protecting public health and the environment? The Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County is seeking a Health & Environmental Investigator I to help advance our vision of making the Puget Sound region the cleanest in the country.

Step into a role where your work directly impacts and protects community health and the environment. As a Health & Environmental Investigator I with the Program’s Business Services Team , you’ll help small businesses reduce hazardous waste risks and improve environmental and public health outcomes. This position is ideal for someone who thrives on fieldwork, problem solving, and building trust with diverse communities. Your efforts will prevent pollution, reduce exposure to hazardous materials, and strengthen safety for those most impacted. Along the way, you’ll gain hands on technical experience, deepen your environmental health expertise, and grow within a collaborative, mission driven program.

About the Role: As the Health & Environmental Investigator I, you will provide onsite technical assistance to small businesses, offering guidance on hazardous waste management and supporting practices to safer alternatives. The ideal candidate brings experience working with businesses or communities to promote behavior change, along with a strong understanding of hazardous materials and waste management. You will assess common hazardous waste challenges, research solutions, and identify safer alternatives using trusted resources-all while applying best management practices that advance equity. This role is the entry point in a three-level career progression, offering a clear pathway from Health & Environmental Investigator I to III. You will be part of a 12-member team while also working independently in the field, engaging directly with businesses and community members. This role blends office and field work, giving you the opportunity to meet diverse businesses, learn about a wide range of industries, and guide them toward safer alternatives that protect health and the environment. You will also support communities and businesses most vulnerable to hazardous materials exposure by helping them adopt safer practices that reduce risk and promote long-term well-being .

About the Program: The Hazardous Waste Management Program is a regional coalition of governments that protects public health and environmental quality by helping residents and businesses reduce risks from the production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. The Program serves 2.3 million residents and 70,000 businesses across King County, supported by a $21 million annual budget and a staff of about 70. This position advances the Program’s mission through upstream systems change that reduces hazardous materials exposure for people and the environment. Our mission is to promote healthier communities and a cleaner environment by helping residents and businesses safely manage hazardous materials through collection and disposal services, prevention programs, and policy initiatives. Learn more at www.kingcountyhazwastewa.gov .

Who We Are: This position is part of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Water and Land Resources Division(WLRD), one of the Program’s key participating agencies. The Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) is at the forefront of King County’s efforts to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat and strengthen the resilience of communities, environment, and infrastructure in the face of climate change. We are a dedicated workforce of more than 450 supported by an annual budget of ~$280 million. WLRD has a strong track record of developing innovative strategies to protect working farms and forests, restore habitat, improve water quality, and provide county residents with equitable access to green space. We house the Land Conservation Initiative, which aims to preserve our last, most important lands. Our forestry and agricultural programs help individuals protect their lands and support local food production. We house four salmon recovery forums where we collaborate with scores of partners to plan, design, and build habitat projects. We partner with regional jurisdictions to help residents and businesses reduce the threats posed by production, use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. We are the primary service provider to the King County Flood Control District, contributing to flood preparedness and constructing and maintaining facilities that restore rivers and reduce risk. Our one true local service to unincorporated King County is stormwater management, protecting water quality, reducing flooding, and building and maintaining facilities. Finally, we provide regional science and laboratory services to an array of customers, maintaining high-quality data sets used to assess water quality and habitat trends, and provide Best Available Science to inform decision making. In two words, we are a watershed utility. For more information about the division, see Water and Land Resources Division .

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 Health & Environmental Investigator I, 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 Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD) 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:

• Conduct onsite reviews of hazardous material and hazardous waste (HM/HW) management practices. Review hazardous material and hazardous waste (HM/HW) management at the customer's site.
• Identify common HM/HW issues, research solutions, and recommend safer alternatives using trusted resources.
• Provide technical assistance, offer financial incentives that support behavior change, and coordinate hazardous waste collection services.
• Participate in community events, workshops, presentations, to educate and promote hazardous waste best management practices and services.
• Document site visit observations, recommendations, customer actions, and resulting health and environmental benefits.
• Collaborate with businesses, trade associations, agencies, and the public to develop best management practices, and identify cost-effective pollution prevention options.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

QUALIFICATIONS YOU BRING:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, natural, physical, or environmental sciences, engineering, or a closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and professional experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate technical or scientific information to non-technical audiences, both in writing and through presentations to groups or community stakeholders.
• Experience using community-based education and outreach strategies, including engaging diverse audiences and translating complex topics into accessible information.
• Proven ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships, demonstrate patience, flexibility, cultural awareness, and professionalism in diverse work and community settings.
• Proficiency with common information technologies and computer applications, including the ability to quickly learn and effectively use new software and digital tools.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience building partnerships with people of color, people with low incomes, immigrants, refugees, and communities that use limited English.

COMPETENCIES YOU BRING:

• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

Supplemental Information

Onsite Work Details:

• Work Location: The Hazardous Waste Business Services team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location is King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a in-home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
  
  
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
  
  
• Union Representation: This position is represented byCouncil 2, Local 1652R

Application and Selection Process:

To apply, submit your completed application materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Completed Supplemental Questions/Answers (Required)

Who to Contact: For more information regarding the Health & Environmental Investigator I recruitment, please contact William R. Herbert at wherbert@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Water and Land Division by visiting our website .

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

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 3/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Wastewater Treatment Division

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