Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

TMDLs, or total maximum daily loads, describe the current state of water pollution, analyze what needs to change in order to meet water quality standards, and provide strategies for making these changes.

The Water Quality Program at the Department of Ecology is looking to hire a South Puget Sound TMDL & Nonpoint Implementation Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4). This position will develop and implement nonpoint source water pollution-reducing plans associated with TMDLs, Straight-to-Implementation projects, and other water quality assessments in South Puget Sound, Hood Canal, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca watersheds.

We are looking for applicants who are able to work with a diverse audience, able to handle competing priorities, have excellent written and verbal communication, and basic watershed management experience.

This position is located in our Southwest Regional Office in Lacey, WA.

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.  

To learn more about our agency, check us out on our website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

 
Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

The mission of the Water Quality program is to protect and restore Washington’s waters to support healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures state waters can support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.

As a senior inspector for the section in TMDLs, Straight to Implementation projects, and watershed assessments, the South Puget Sound TMDL & Nonpoint Implementation Specialist provides scientific and technical consultation to other agency staff, tribes, local and federal agencies including Conservation Districts, Dept.s of Health, Shellfish Protection Districts, US Forest Service, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Some of the key activities of this position include:

Applying enforcement actions using agency policies and requirements if necessary to address noncompliance with water quality laws and regulations:

• Responds to and investigates complex or highly technical complaints or violations associated with land uses causing nonpoint pollution.
• Prepares appropriate documentation and issues the enforcement action.
• Assists the Attorney General’s office in compiling the necessary materials for the preparation of cases to be presented before judicial courts and boards, and appears and testifies on behalf of the Water Quality program;
• Provides technical assistance on nonpoint concerns including water quality sampling and the policies, laws, and regulations through presentations, letters, telephone or other communication method.
• Responds to inquiries from other staff, the public, agencies, tribes and others regarding nonpoint source water pollution issues.
• Represents Ecology in public information and education activities for nonpoint water quality activities.
• Represents the agency as a senior environmental section specialist in public meetings, workshops and hearings, and attends Conservation District board meetings and technical workshops.
• Plans and participates in Watershed Assessments, utilizing GIS tools and resources, and helps prioritize findings and determine appropriate tools for dealing with identified water quality issues.
• Identifies critical water quality issues and concerns, correlates them to the 303d List and identify appropriate water quality improvement strategies and or plans, including TMDLs and STIs to address them.

 

Developing partnerships with communities, businesses, and interest groups in order to identify and respond to environmental issues including water quality impairments, nonpoint source pollution, and shellfish bed closures:

• Identifies and interacts with key interest groups and organizations.
• Assists with public involvement and outreach planning associated with implementation of nonpoint pollution control and watershed efforts.
• Helps identify land uses that constitute nonpoint pollution sources and develops strategies to bring these sources into compliance with state water quality laws.
• Assists Water Quality staff with policies and decisions associated with the Water Quality program’s water quality improvement initiatives.
• Develops plans and strategies in concert with identified stakeholder groups.
• Organizes public meetings, prepares information for public review, and coordinates goals with local groups.

This position will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be on June 19, 2017. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before June 18, 2017. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied 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.  

OR

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two years of professional level experience as required above.
 
OR

Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.



Desired Qualifications:

• GIS experience or certification
• Mediation Training
• Water quality sampling experience or training
• Laboratory experience
• Agricultural experience or agricultural related degree

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Please note the following benefit that isn’t listed in the Benefits tab:

Student Loans and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program:
Employees are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

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 Chris Montague-Breakwell at: chris.montague-breakwell@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Chris 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.