The Environmental Assessment Program provides a range of scientific, monitoring, laboratory, and quality assurance services. Its mission is to measure and assess environmental conditions in Washington State. 

Some of the key work activities of the Environmental Specialist 1 positions include:

• Under direct or close supervision: conducts routine data collection and analyzes, evaluates, and interprets data; analyzes and/or interprets information requirements and assists in the coordination of information gathering for a team or other assignment outside of a team; writes reports and/or reviews draft reports; conducts water quality monitoring projects using appropriate scientific knowledge field work and quality assurance.
• Ensures project data is accurately entered into the agency data repository. Field-related work typically includes pre-calibrating, programming, installing, and removing remote-monitoring equipment; collecting water quality samples; and making field measurements.
• Conducts water quality monitoring projects using established protocols or appropriate scientific knowledge, including project scoping, monitoring plan design (including assisting with setting project objectives), field work, quality assurance and on-going communication with the client and other stakeholders
• Develops GIS projects and coverages for the data in Arcview; ensures project data is accurately entered into the agency data repository.
• Assists with reviewing quality assurance management plans, SOPs, and other reports prepared by consultants, conservation districts, tribes, counties, and others for accuracy, completeness, and consistency with agency objectives.
• Participates in unit, section, program, and agency committees and groups to make recommendations on improving protocols and procedures. Obtains training for maintaining and improving skills.
• Assists with providing mentoring to less experienced staff.
• Obtains training for maintaining and improving skills.
• Assists with procuring sampling permits from all appropriate entities.

Participates in the following WHM data management activities:

• Data quality assurance reviews.
• Conducts data analysis, including simple data preparation and manipulation; graph, chart, and map preparation in ACCESS, EXCEL, GIS, and other software.
• Assists with formulating and justifying conclusions and recommendations sections of monitoring reports.

Please Note: The positions are temporary and will end by October 30, 2017.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s of Science degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, natural sciences, or other closely related field.

Experience at or above the Environmental Technician level or equivalent will substitute, year for year, for education. 
 
Desired Qualifications:

• Coursework in Environmental Science/Engineering, Natural Sciences, Stream Ecology, Fisheries Biology, Chemistry, Forestry or related field would be advantageous.
• Ability to conduct field work under a variety of conditions.
• Experience collecting water samples and measuring streamflow is desired.
• Ability to operate cars, vans and pickup trucks in various weather conditions and after dark.
• Some experience with data analysis and data management.
• Good communication and writing skills.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Application Instructions:

In order to be considered, applicants MUST attach the following documents as an attachment to their application:

• A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required/desired qualifications of this position.
• A resume outlining your professional environmental experience.

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume” may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”

Other Information:

If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Jennifer Wolfe at: jennifer.wolfe@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Jennifer to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology. All employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the WFSE will, as a condition of employment, either become members of the WFSE and pay membership dues or, as non-members, pay a representation fee as described in the CBA, no later than the 30th day following the effective date of this CBA or the beginning of their employment.

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 or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.