Shorelands/Wetlands Permit Specialist
(Environmental Specialist 4)
- Description
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Keeping Washington Clean and EvergreenProtecting 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 Wetlands/Shorelands Permit Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4). This position will be located in our Central Regional Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
The Wetlands/Shorelands Permit Specialist position serves as a senior section environmental specialist with responsibility for implementation of the Shoreline Management Act (SMA of 1971 (Chapter 90.58 RCW)) and its rules and state adopted Shoreline Master Programs. Responsibilities include negotiating technical and legal details on major shoreline and wetland proposals with local, state, and federal entities on project actions that may have inter-related environmental impacts. The position also serves as a senior environmental specialist on matters pertaining to wetlands, federal and state wetland guidance, and antidegradation policies contained within (Chapter RCW 90.48) and coordinates the state level permitting response to federal permits issued under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, issuing permits under Section 401 of the Act.
We are looking for applicants who possess excellent people skills, the ability to thoroughly analyze land use proposals to make regulatory decisions, and the ability to communicate complex permitting information to highly diverse audiences.
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.
Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts - Duties
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The mission of the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program is to support community conservation efforts for our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains.
Some of the key work activities for the Wetlands/Shorelands Permit Specialist include:- Serves as a senior environmental section specialist with responsibility for implementation of the Shoreline Management Act (SMA of 1971 (Chapter 90.58 RCW)) and its rules and state adopted Shoreline Master Programs.
- Provides scientific and technical expertise in both wetlands and shorelands environments.
- Identifies, analyzes, and makes recommendations to local government officials on the identification and delineation of the Ordinary High Water Mark to determine the regulatory boundaries of Chapter 90.58 RCW, Shoreline Management Act.
- Analyzes GIS layers and soil typing and performs field reconnaissance to identify and delineate wetlands utilizing standardized protocols in the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region, Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region.
- Provides senior level technical review and evaluation of project impacts, shoreline and wetland mitigation plans according to state guidance.
- Makes recommendations to department management and other local, state, and federal authorities involved in complex wetland and shoreline regulation and management actions.
- Serves as a senior environmental section specialist with responsibility for negotiating technical and legal details on major shoreline and wetland proposals with local, state, and federal entities, including briefing upper management on specific shoreline and wetland projects and issues, as needed.
- Reviews, analyzes, and makes recommendations to the section supervisor as to consistency with the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) and as to whether Ecology should deny or appeal permits for developments that would adversely impact shoreline or wetland resources.
- Prepares policy analysis for signature of supervisor.
- Drafts appropriate scientific and technical permit conditions to ensure consistency with the SMA, its rules, policies, regulations, and state-adopted plans.
- Does field reconnaissance/site research to determine the extent of SMA jurisdiction including associated wetlands boundaries and to evaluate shoreline resources, development proposals and their potential impacts.
- Acts as reviewer and coordinator for US Army Corps of Engineers’ permits issued to private and public entities in the North Central Region under Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act.
- Is responsible for issuing 401 Water Quality Certifications. Responds to inquiries from and corresponds with applicants, agents and other agencies regarding application requirements, procedures and status.
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be May 18, 2017. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before May 17, 2017. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date. - Qualifications
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Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND five (5) years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.
OR
A Master’s degree in one of the above fields and three (3) years of professional – level experience as required above which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
OR
A Ph.D. in one of the above fields and two (2) years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
OR
Two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3.
Desired Qualifications:- A 40 hour Wetland Delineation Course, and course completion for the Washington State Wetlands Rating System for Eastern 2014 or Washington State Wetland Rating System for Western Washington 2014.
- Experience delineating wetlands using Regional Supplements to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West and Western Mountains and Valleys.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:- Must possess a valid driver’s license.
- Current certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), or the ability to obtain and maintain professional certification as Wetland Professional In-Training (WPIT) or a Professional Wetland Scientist.
- Supplemental Information
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Application Instructions:Please include the following documents as an attachment to your application:
- A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
- A resume outlining your professional experience.
Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile’s resume text field.
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 at (360) 407-6186.
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 call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or 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 Gary Graff at: gary.graff@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Gary 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.
- Agency
- State of Washington
- Address
- View Job Posting for Agency InformationView Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504.
- Website
- http://www.careers.wa.gov