Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.

The Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program is looking to hire a Regional Wetland Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4). The position will be located in our Northwest Regional Office (NWRO) in Bellevue, WA.

This lead position provides scientific and technical expertise to local jurisdictions, Ecology and other agency staff regarding wetlands and shorelands ecology, management, and regulation in the Northwest Region. The position involves project/permit review, field and library data collection and analysis, expert testimony at legal proceedings, public speaking, technical assistance and training. This position serves as the “face” and “voice” of the department of Ecology in the field and is instrumental in carrying out the agency’s mission.

We are looking for applicants to have good analytical and technical skills, are comfortable with public speaking, possess strong written and verbal communication skills and are customer service oriented.

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability. Maybe you’ve seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecy.wa.gov.

Ecology’s mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment, and promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations. Our goals are to prevent pollution, clean up pollution, and support sustainable communities and natural resources. The mission of the Department of Ecology’s Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program is to work in partnership with communities to support healthy watersheds and promote statewide environmental interests.

This position supports the agency’s and program’s mission and goals by working with a number of local governments on shoreline and wetland permitting that allows for development while also protecting the shoreline and water resources of the state within the parameters of the law.

Some of the key work activities for the Regional Wetland Specialist position include:

• Independently provides scientific and technical expertise in wetlands and shorelands identification and delineation, functional assessments, development of mitigation plans, and evaluation of project impacts.
• In connection with this work conducts field research including data collection and analysis, and makes recommendations to Department of Ecology management and other local, state, and federal authorities involved in wetland and shoreline regulation and management.
• Conducts ordinary high water mark determinations. Provides technical review related to steam science, stream restoration, and shoreline stabilization.
• Independently reviews, analyzes, develops and recommends wetland and shoreland policies, guidelines, and regulations to Ecology management and other government authorities involved in the administration of the Shoreline Management Act, Growth Management Act, and the state and federal Clean Water Act.
• Includes testifying at legal proceedings and public hearings, and negotiating resolution in the development of policies and regulations.
• Independently represents Department of Ecology as a wetlands and shoreline expert in enforcement actions, hearings and legal proceedings. Provides testimony for decisions involving the approval, denial, or conditioning of permits, or the imposition of civil penalties.
• Testimony may also form the basis for precedent-setting interpretations of agency jurisdiction and regulatory authority.

This position will remain open until filled. There will be an initial review on September 11, 2015. In order to be considered for the initial review, please submit an application on or before September 10, 2015. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied scientific field AND five years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above;
OR

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields AND three years of professional – level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above;
OR 
A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above;

OR  

Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 provided a Bachelor’s degree involving major study (as listed above) has been attained.

AND

Professional level experience must include at least two years of experience in wetlands delineation, hydrology, or plant science using the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delineation manual and applicable regional supplement(s).

The two years of experience equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 can include assisting in any of the following areas: 1) performing field surveys or studies, 2) responding to complaints involving scientific or technical content, 3) preparing public meetings and hearings, 4) assistance with routine inspections or investigations requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 5) responding to routine inquires or requests for technical assistance involving scientific content, 6) special projects that are scientific in nature, 7) conducting routine sampling and testing analyses, interprets data, writing reports 8) performing basic sampling data review, 9) maintaining an environmental data base to support technical projects, 10 providing routine environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.

The 1 year of experience equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 can include a combination of the following: 1) investigating and / or resolving complaints involving science or technology content, 2) performing inspections, 3) drafting technical evaluations and reports, 4) develops plans for researching information used for technical projects, regulatory or policy development, 5) plan and facilitate public meetings and hearings, 6) project work requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 7) providing technical assistance for complex scientific content and/ or support for implementing scientific content programs, 8) conducting tests, analyzing and evaluating data, 9) using environmental databases to support technical projects, 10) developing scientific studies and resource management plans, 11) providing environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.

Required Position-Specific Skills and Abilities:

• Possession of or ability to obtain certification from the Society of Wetland Scientists as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS).
• Demonstrated understanding of wetland and shoreline ecology and biology by independently providing scientific and technical expertise in wetlands and shorelands identification and delineation, functional assessments, development of mitigation plans, and evaluation of project impacts.
• Demonstrated ability to understand environmental legislation and regulations at the federal, state, and local level by independently reviewing, analyzing, developing and recommending wetland and shoreland policies, guidelines, and regulations to management and other government authorities involved in the administration of the local, state, or federal regulation. Testifying at legal proceedings and public hearings, and negotiating resolution in the development of policies and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to review and understand complex wetland regulatory and technical documents by providing technical review of documents prepared to support the development of local and state regulations, and providing the necessary and appropriate follow-up support to supervisors, Program Managers and others.
• Demonstrated ability to apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills by independently serving as a wetlands and shoreline expert in enforcement actions, hearings and legal proceedings; conducting field investigations, data collection, and analysis; and making recommendations to management and others involved in wetland and shoreline regulation and management.

For immediate consideration, please apply online at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1229031