The program’s Response section at our Headquarters building in Lacey, WA is currently looking for a Natural Resources Damage Assessment Specialist (ES5).

This position serves as the agency technical and policy expert for Natural Resource Damage Assessments (NRDA) and evaluates, develops, and implements policies for the Spills Program and agency. This position has responsibility for the preparation of damage claims for oil spills to water and directing settlement discussions, litigation, and enforcement actions related to natural resource losses. During significant and complex spill emergencies, has direct management of state, federal, and tribal natural resource trustees in seeking a coordinated settlement for natural resource losses. Serves as chair of the Resource Damage Assessment Committee and leads interagency interdisciplinary teams statewide to conduct NRDA work. Chairs the Coastal Protection Fund Steering Committee, which reviews and approves oil spill related habitat and restoration plans. Directs and maintains the NRDA after-hours emergency response team. This position is required to perform after-hours on-call duty and work overtime during spills.

This position also provides high-level policy support to the Ecology Spills Program Response Section by evaluating state and national response policies, developing agency procedures, performing spill data analysis, developing performance measures, and performing outreach presentations to stakeholders. This position will also develop and manage spill response equipment grants to local and tribal governments.

This position performs strategic policy development and serves as the regulatory expert developing spill response and natural resource damage assessment policy, rules, procedures, and guidelines.

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in an environmental, physical, or natural science, environmental engineering, environmental planning, or closely allied field; AND six years of professional experience in environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, or environmental restoration, including two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.

OR

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields and four years of professional experience as required above which includes two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.
Desired Qualifications

A Master’s degree or higher in a science or natural resource field is preferred.

Knowledge and experience with natural resource damage assessments, environmental policies, federal and state environmental regulations, impacts of oil pollution on marine and freshwater natural resources, and methods of identifying, analyzing, and documenting the consequences of oil spills.

Thorough knowledge of oil spill sampling procedures and knowledge of case documentation and evidence collection.

HAZWOPER certification at the technician level.

Knowledge of the Northwest Area Contingency Plan and Geographic Response Plans.
Special Requirements

Must be able to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) which includes a detailed background check.

Must maintain HAZWOPER Technician (40-hr) Certification and stay current with annual refresher training.

Must have NIMS ICS certification for 100, 200, 700 and 800 levels.

Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license upon entering the position and maintain it during employment.

Must pass medical surveillance physical and demonstrate and maintain the ability to wear respiratory protection and chemical protective clothing. Must pass a physical agilities test. This position is required to maintain a personal level of fitness necessary to successfully pass periodic medical surveillance exams, which may include a stress test, as detailed in spill response procedures.

Must maintain a valid passport or other document to travel to Canada in the event of a transboundary spill or drill.

Working Conditions

Works in the office, as well as in the field. Travels by helicopter, small aircraft, and land and water vehicles on very short notice to respond to oil spill emergencies. Spends extended amounts of time in the field during oil spills. Works extended hours as needed including on evenings and weekends. Required to travel for up to 3-days on 1-hour notice.

For immediate consideration, please apply online at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1037181.