Salary : $74,748.00 - $100,488.00 Annually
Location : Kitsap County - Manchester, WA
Job Type: Agency Internal - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-EAP3991-07617
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Environmental Assessment
Opening Date: 09/16/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
This recruitment is open only to current Department of Ecology employees, including those on temporary or project assignments, and Ecology's Washington Conservation Corps members.
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Chemist 3 within the .
Location:

Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected duty station.
Manchester Environmental Laboratory near

Schedule:

This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
A minimum of 3-5 days per week is required in the office. Some telework is available to do data management and data reviews.
Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

Apply by September 27, 2026
Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties
As a member of Manchester Environmental Laboratory within the Environmental Assessment Program, you will perform chemical analysis for organic parameters on water, soil, tissue, and consumer products to generate legally defensible analytical data for environmental clients.

What you will do:

Perform chemical analysis on water, soil, tissue and consumer product samples for the determination of pesticides, PCBs, fuels, volatile organic compounds, and other organic compounds by GC-ECD, GC-FID, GC-MS, and other analytical techniques.
Ensure analytical data meets QC criteria or take appropriate corrective actions.
Review analytical data packages of other chemists for completeness and accuracy.
Troubleshoot analytical and preparation issues as needed.
Serve as a backup chemist for analyses as needed.
Ensure optimal performance of instruments and perform routine maintenance.

Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our
Required Qualifications:
8 years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

Attention to Detail - Ability to review data, documents, and instrument outputs to ensure work is accurate and reliable.
Problem Solving - Ability to identify issues, determine causes, and take effective corrective actions to maintain workflow and data quality.
Communication - Ability to clearly share findings, document actions, and notify others of issues to support informed decision-making.
Time & Workload Management - Ability to organize tasks and manage competing priorities to meet required timelines. Ability to monitor workload, track sample progress, and communicate status or concerns to support smooth operations.
Quality Assurance and Data Integrity - Ability to follow QA/QC procedures and review data to ensure scientific and legal defensibility.
Scientific Documentation and Reporting - Ability to create clear worksheets, notes, procedures, and reports that support consistent and compliant lab operations.
Method and Process Improvement - Ability to contribute to developing, refining, or updating methods and procedures to improve efficiency or accuracy.
Instrument Operation and Maintenance - Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments to ensure reliable analytical performance.
Sample Preparation and Chemical Analysis - Ability to prepare samples and conduct analytical testing using established methods to generate high-quality results. Ability to prepare standards and perform instrument calibrations that ensure accurate quantitation.
Data Processing and LIMS Use - Ability to evaluate instrument output, apply data flags, review QC results, and manage data in the LIMS for accurate reporting.

Education involving a major study in chemistry or a related degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry.
Examples of how to qualify:

8 years of experience.
7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree).
5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
4 years of experience AND a Bachelor's degree.
2 years of experience AND a Master's degree.
1 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Must successfully pass a federal ePASS background check in order to have access to the federal facility that houses the Ecology laboratory.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

Experience analyzing and preparing samples following EPA methodologies for organic analyses for pesticides, PCBs, SVOCs, VOCs, fuels, PBDEs, and other organic compounds using GC, GCECD, GCFID, GCMS or GCMSMS techniques.
Knowledge of EPA Methods 8081, 8082, 8260, 8270, 1668, 1628, and the State of Washington's petroleum hydrocarbon methods.

Supplemental Information
Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit
Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology's work.
Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.
Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply

Click "Apply" at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see resume" may be considered incomplete.
For detailed application information, please visit our
Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

Please contact us at [click to reveal phone number]360-407-6186 or
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Joan Protasio at
If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at

About the Environmental Assessment Program

Program Mission Statement: The mission of the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) is to measure, assess and communicate environmental conditions in Washington State. EAP's vision is improving the environment for current and future generations through innovative and excellent science and thriving partnerships. Commitments include: professional, respectful, responsive, timely, innovative, exceptional customer service, partnerships, cooperative relationships, and continuous improvement.

The Department of Ecology's Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) is the state's primary environmental laboratory, providing high-quality, scientifically defensible data that support Washington's environmental protection, regulatory enforcement, and natural resource management efforts. Through rigorous analytical work and a comprehensive Quality Management System, MEL ensures that Ecology and partner agencies have reliable information to assess environmental conditions, guide policy decisions, and safeguard public and ecological health.

Located in Manchester, Washington, near Port Orchard on the Olympic Peninsula, the Department of Ecology's Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL) operates within a federal facility shared with the EPA Region 10 Environmental Laboratory. This co-location supports strong collaboration between state and federal scientists, enhances access to high-quality laboratory resources, and helps ensure that Washington receives scientifically robust data to guide environmental protection and regulatory decision-making. Employees must obtain federal security clearance and maintain their security clearance during their employment at the Department of Ecology's Manchester Environmental Laboratory (MEL).
About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington's environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington's environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: , , *, *, , , & , , , , , , , *Click here for more information
To learn more about Ecology, please visit our , explore , check out our , and connect with us on , , , , or our
Equal Opportunity Employer: 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, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.
#LI-DNI
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01

How did you hear about this job?

Community Based Organization
Community / Technical College
Ecology Employee
Ecology Recruiter
Ecology Jobs Page
Facebook
Job Board
Job Fair
LinkedIn
Newspaper
Other State Agency
Other Website
Professional Association
Twitter
University Job Board
WorkSource
Other

If you selected Community Based Organization, Community / Technical College, Job Board, Job Fair, LinkedIn Group, Newspaper, Other State Agency, Other Website, Professional Association, University Job Board, WorkSource, or Other, please share which one.
03

Have you ever worked for the Department of Ecology in any capacity including: Permanent, Non-Permanent, Project, Intern, or Volunteer?

How many years of experience do you have related to the duties of this position? Please include any experience gained through employment, internships, and/or volunteer positions. Note that experience gained from academic coursework, class projects, or other degree requirements is assessed in later questions.

One year
Two years
Three years
Four years
Five years
Six years
Seven years
Eight years or more
None of the above

Please provide additional details to support your response above. The following information is needed: position title(s), specific duties, and periods of employment. Make sure your response specifically addresses the qualification above. An incomplete answer, including "please see resume" may remove you from further consideration.
06

What is your level of education that includes a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college level chemistry?

30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits
60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree)
90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Ph.D.
None of the above

If you have college credits or a degree, please list your major(s) or field(s) of study and any degree(s) earned. If you don't have this education, put N/A.
08

The State of Washington and the Department of Ecology, play a vital role in fostering a Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Respectful (DEIR) workplace and contributing to equitable outcomes for the communities we serve. We view DEIR through a broad lens including: race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. We believe it is everyone's job to contribute to a DEIR workplace. What experiences have you had working with people whose backgrounds are very different from your own? What impact did those experiences have on how you worked?
09

I understand that Ecology does not use the E-Verify system and is unable to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT).

How would you rate your ability to detect errors, verify data accuracy, and consistently produce error-free work when reviewing laboratory information?

None - No experience reviewing lab data or documents for accuracy.
Foundational - Basic awareness of accuracy needs; may notice obvious errors during review.
Intermediate - Able to review data and documents and catch most issues with some guidance.
Advanced - Independently identifies discrepancies, performs thorough checks, and consistently produces accurate work.
Expert - Serves as a quality resource; mentors others and establishes or improves review practices to ensure exceptional accuracy.

How would you rate your ability to recognize technical or workflow issues, diagnose causes, and apply effective solutions in a lab environment?

None - No experience identifying or resolving lab-related issues.
Foundational - Can recognize simple problems but needs direction to resolve them.
Intermediate - Able to analyze issues and propose solutions with some guidance.
Advanced - Independently troubleshoots problems, identifies root causes, and implements reliable corrective actions.
Expert - Provides leadership in resolving complex issues; guides teams in problem-solving and improves troubleshooting processes.

How would you rate your ability to communicate technical information, document lab results, and inform others of problems or decisions?

None - No experience communicating or documenting lab-related information.
Foundational - Can share basic information when prompted.
Intermediate - Communicates clearly and documents work with occasional guidance.
Advanced - Independently prepares clear documentation, shares findings effectively, and proactively notifies others of issues.
Expert - Shapes communication expectations; mentors others and prepares highly influential lab communication and documentation.

How would you rate your ability to prioritize tasks, manage workflow, and meet deadlines in a laboratory environment?

None - No experience managing time or workload for lab tasks.
Foundational - Can complete assigned tasks with guidance on priorities.
Intermediate - Manages workload effectively with some direction; meets most deadlines.
Advanced - Independently organizes work, balances competing priorities, and consistently meets timelines.
Expert - Optimizes workflows, mentors others, and leads efforts to improve workload management processes.

How would you rate your ability to follow QA/QC requirements and verify that analytical data meets quality and defensibility standards?

None - No experience with QA/QC procedures or data integrity checks.
Foundational - Basic awareness of QA/QC concepts; may follow simple procedures.
Intermediate - Performs QA/QC tasks with some guidance and identifies basic data integrity issues.
Advanced - Independently conducts QA/QC reviews and ensures generated data meets defensibility standards.
Expert - Considered an authority on QA/QC; leads improvements and trains others on best practices.

How would you rate your ability to produce clear scientific documentation, including lab notes, worksheets, SOPs, and formal reports?

None - No experience creating scientific documentation.
Foundational - Can produce basic notes and simple records with guidance.
Intermediate - Writes clear documentation and follows reporting requirements with occasional support.
Advanced - Independently prepares high-quality, compliant documents and reports.
Expert - Sets documentation standards, develops procedures, and coaches others in producing clear scientific records.

How would you rate your ability to identify improvement opportunities and contribute to updating lab methods or processes?

None - No experience with method or process improvement.
Foundational - Can offer basic suggestions when prompted.
Intermediate - Contributes ideas and participates in improvement efforts with some guidance.
Advanced - Independently identifies inefficiencies, recommends solutions, and helps implement method updates.
Expert - Leads method or process improvement initiatives; recognized for setting direction and innovation in workflows.

How would you rate your ability to operate lab instruments, perform routine maintenance, and troubleshoot performance issues?

None - No experience operating or maintaining laboratory instruments.
Foundational - Can perform basic operations with instruction.
Intermediate - Operates instruments and performs routine maintenance with some guidance.
Advanced - Independently operates, maintains, and reliably troubleshoots instruments.
Expert - Recognized as an authority on instrument performance; trains others and leads maintenance or troubleshooting protocols.

How would you rate your ability to perform sample preparation, prepare standards, conduct chemical analyses, and ensure accurate instrument calibration?

None - No experience preparing samples or performing chemical analyses.
Foundational - Can perform simple sample preparation tasks with instruction.
Intermediate - Prepares samples and standards and conducts analyses with some guidance.
Advanced - Independently performs accurate sample preparation, calibrations, and analyses following established methods.
Expert - Provides leadership in analytical technique and preparation; optimizes methods and trains others.

How would you rate your ability to process analytical data, interpret QC outputs, apply flags appropriately, and enter or manage data in a LIMS?

None - No experience evaluating data or working in LIMS.
Foundational - Can perform basic data entry or review with guidance.
Intermediate - Reviews data and uses LIMS with some support; applies basic flags.
Advanced - Independently processes data, evaluates QC results, and accurately manages all relevant information in LIMS.
Expert - Serves as a LIMS or data processing authority; leads improvements, trains others, and sets data-handling standards.

Required Question

Chemist 3

Chemist 3

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