Undergraduate Intern - Enivronmental Health Services

Through the work of over 150 dedicated employees, the Environmental Health Services Division identifies and sustains environmental conditions that promote health equity and healthy people and communities in Seattle and King County. Our vision is healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free of health disparities based on race, gender or economic 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.

 What do you think will attract candidates to this position? The candidate will be able to contribute to the development of a regulatory program for biomedical waste, conduct research of emerging public health issues related to solid waste, and have the opportunity to shadow investigators on facility inspections in solid waste and pets, rodent and solid waste complaints, and see the two largest solid waste facilities in King County: Cedar Hills Landfill and Cedar Grove Composting facility.

The candidate will create a database of biomedical waste management generators to contribute in the development of our biomedical waste program and conduct research of:
 1) Successful models of regulating biomedical waste in other counties, and
2) Emerging Public Health issues associated with solid waste.

The growth opportunities are gaining work experience to go along with the degree, building your network and connections at the workplace, and understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with working in local government.

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 http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule:
 Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, Hourly status
*Able to accommodate Part Time 20hrs - Full Time 40 hrs*

Work Location:
 Chinook:
401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 Optional teleworking at their residence (address forthcoming) and monthly in-person meetings at Chinook with minimum weekly virtual check-ins with the biomedical waste team.
Teleworking:
 Hybrid and monthly in-person meetings at Chinook with minimum weekly virtual check-ins with the biomedical waste team.
 

 Job Duties:

We are developing a biomedical waste program to provide regulatory oversight of biomedical waste generators. The goals of this internship are:

• Determine biomedical and infectious waste generators in King County
• Research successful models for biomedical and infectious waste programs in other counties
• Conduct research on emerging solid waste and public health issues such as the disposal of Human Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) wastes.
• Meet weekly with Biomedical Waste team
• Contact potential biomedical/infectious waste generators
• Gather the following information:
  • volumes by weight of biomedical waste generated
  • types of biomedical waste generated
  • biomedical waste management plan contents
  • vendors used for disposal
• Develop generator categories based on collected information
• Map biomedical waste generators in King County
• Research and present on a topic on emerging public health issues relating to solid waste.
• Contact partners at Department of Ecology and Washington State Fish & Wildlife
• Consult partners at King County Solid Waste Division (KCSWD) and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU)
• Research infectious waste code requirements in the Seattle Municipal Code and the King County Board of Health code

 Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills:

(Desired):
Most competitive candidates will have the following qualifications: 

• Great organization skills
• Ability to engage people over the phone to obtain information
• Ability to receive constructive feedback
• GIS mapping skills
• Detailed-oriented, strong documentation skills, and public speaking skills

(Minimum):
Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following skill sets that would be useful:

• A demonstrated interest in Environmental Health and Solid Waste
• Inter-personal skills
• Ability to complete work/research independently
• Organizing Datasets
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools such as Excel and Forms

 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 "True North", 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
Any undergraduate student enrolled in their college or university to ensure they obtain school credit.

Application Process
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.
 
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
• Cover Letter/Letter of Interest

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
 
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 provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR ( if applicable).
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment. (and Pre-employment Physical, if applicable).
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
• 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 job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.

Union Membership
not represented
 
Contact
 For more information about the application process please contact Alexis Owens at Alowens@kingcounty.gov