Job Description

Salary: $108,652.75 - $137,723.66 Annually
Location : Chinook Building 401 5th Avenue Seattle, WA
Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)
Job Number: 2025SMD25361
Department: DPH - Public Health
Division: Environmental Health Svcs
Opening Date: 09/09/2025
Closing Date: 10/[click to reveal phone number]9/2025 11 :59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: D1 : WSCCCE L21HD-DPH
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time

Summary
Public Health is seeking a skilled Environmental Scientist III (Environmental Health Epidemiologist) with expertise in environmental epidemiology and toxicology to support the department's work in reducing exposure to harmful chemicals. The incumbent will report to the Environmental Health Services Division's Senior Toxicologist and work with a team of three providing expertise to the Environmental Health Services Division, and other Departments within King County government, with duties that include but are not limited to: serving technical needs for over 160 staff in the Division; enhancing understanding and reducing human and environmental exposures to toxic chemicals and environmental toxins; and identifying and utilizing health data that can be more effectively linked to toxic-related impacts.
The Environmental Health Scientist will apply quantitative and qualitative scientific research methods to characterize health effects of environmental exposures and work with colleagues and communication staff to share findings for a wide range of audiences, including the public. The candidate must be highly skilled in problem-solving, with expertise in epidemiology and a strong understanding of toxicology. Familiarity with and commitment to addressing environmental inequities in communities exposed to cumulative stressors through an equity and social justice lens is required. The successful candidate will be able to work independently on assigned tasks as well as with team members and other partners.
Background

ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION

The Environmental Health Services (EHS) Division identifies and sustains environmental conditions that promote health equity, healthy people, and communities in King County. Our vision is for healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free from health disparities based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The Division's core values include equity and social justice, integrity, community service, collaboration, a supportive work culture, and learning from each other and the communities we serve.
Temporary opportunity. Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last up to two (2) years, however, could be extended subject to funding.

This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. For Special Duty Assignment interest, you must be a Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.
Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.
Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all - in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
To learn more, please visit
Work Schedule

Typical work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. There may be occasional evenings and weekends and some travel. This is an Exempt position and is not subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible.
Work Location

The Environmental Health 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 the Chinook Building 401 5th Suite 1000, Seattle, WA 98104.

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 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 home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Job Duties
As the Environmental Health Epidemiologist, you will play a vital role to:

• Identify environmental health-related data sources and work to link them to the Departmental or other health assessment data to improve understanding of environmental and health outcomes, with a large focus on toxics.
• Design research and feasibility studies to anticipate future epidemiological needs of the community relevant to exposures to toxics and other environmental health hazards.
• Seek project funding and lead/advise grants or other projects related to toxics, biomonitoring, and health outcomes that link environmental concentrations to human exposures and health outcomes.
• Lead epidemiological analyses, including the identification of trends in health outcomes, risk profiles, and factors of specific communities, and program impacts on health risk behaviors.
• Apply scientifically rigorous quantitative methods to identify, evaluate, and characterize the magnitude, severity, and distribution of health effects.
• Interpret and analyze data and communicate findings to a wide variety of audiences (e.g., scientific publications, reports, lectures, seminars, press releases, social media, planning documents, and for community meetings, senior leadership, and policymakers).
• Participate in responses to environmental health emergencies related to toxic exposures, such as wildfires, extreme heat, flooding events, and acute toxic exposures, by designing and using quick-response disaster epidemiology studies.
• Advise on data quality and management and recommend/develop/implement new changes to surveillance systems and other data systems.
• Collaborate within the Department and with external partners (e.g., the state health department, academia, community) on relevant studies, data systems, and data collection.
• Stay up to date on the relevant scientific literature and new innovative approaches related to toxicology, environmental health, and contaminants of emerging concern.
• Foster awareness and practice of the principles of equity and social justice in alignment with the King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):

• Education and/or work experience equivalent to a master's degree in toxicology, epidemiology, exposure science, public health, or a closely related field.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to lead and apply epidemiological or other data management principles to environmental health conditions.
• Ability to perform and contribute to basic qualitative analyses and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience in environmental epidemiology (or similar field such as exposure science), or toxicology, and with knowledge of common pollutants and contaminants.

The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired):

• Experience in the design and use of advanced qualitative/quantitative analyses, mixed-methods research, and qualitative/quantitative software packages.
• Strong oral and written communication, especially in communicating scientific concepts effectively with a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Experience working on issues related to chemical exposures and health outcomes, and familiarity with identifying trends, cumulative impacts, and confounders.
• Experience working on issues related to environmental toxics monitoring, health data analyses, or large data sets, and disaster response.
• Familiarity and/or experience with biomonitoring studies and use of biomonitoring data to explore exposures and linkages to health outcomes.
• Experience providing technical assistance to multiple stakeholders and/or the public.
• Experience building academic or other partnerships.
• Knowledge of state and national toxics policy, risk assessment approaches, and regulations.
• Demonstrated track record of successful grant writing.

Supplemental Information
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 , 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.

Who May Apply

This position is open to all qualified candidates.
Application Process

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume (Outlining relevant experience)
• Cover Letter (Expressing Interest in this position)

Please note : Additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above.
Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to For tips on interviewing, please visit
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular . This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• 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 your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Union Membership

This position is represented by the Local21 labor union.
Contact

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Salyse Duckworth, HR Analyst at [click to reveal email address] sduckworth@kingcounty.gov .
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

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.
01

Please select the option below that best describes the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Some College.
• Vocational Degree or Certificate.
• Associate's Degree.
• Bachelor's Degree.
• Master's Degree.
• Ph.D.
• None of the above.

02

What is your major area of study? If you possess multiple degrees, please list each degree and major. (If this does not apply to you, please put N/A.).
03

Please select the option below that best describes the number of years of experience that demonstrates your ability to lead and apply epidemiological or other data management principles to environmental health conditions.

• No experience.
• Less than 2 years of experience.
• 2 years to 5 years of experience.
• More than 5 years of experience.

04

Do you have demonstrated experience in environmental epidemiology (or a similar field such as exposure science), or toxicology, and knowledge of common pollutants and contaminants?

• Yes
• No

05

If you answered yes to the question above, please briefly describe your demonstrated experience in environmental epidemiology (or a similar field such as exposure science), or toxicology, and knowledge of common pollutants and contaminants. If you answered no, type N/A.
06

Please provide some examples of how you would apply equity and social justice to your toxicology-focused epidemiology work.
07

Please briefly list the areas of toxicology where you have experience (e.g., disparity mapping, lead poisoning, school health, wildfire smoke impacts, etc.).
08

Please describe your experience with data sets and relational databases. Have you analyzed complex data sets with statistical tools and used relational databases to link multiple datasets and run queries (provide examples of tools and the databases/datasets used)?
09

Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? ANDIs this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? ANDDo you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?

• Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
• No.

10

If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided:1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice2. The department you worked in3. The effective date of your layoff
Required Question

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, Part time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Remote work, Trial period, Monday to Friday, Flexible hours, Night shift, Afternoon shift,

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