Ecology Transportation Liaison
- Description
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Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
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 an Ecology Transportation Liaison (Environmental Specialist 4). This position will be located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
The Ecology Transportation Liaison position serves as a senior environmental section specialist with responsibility as an Ecology Transportation Liaison working on review of Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) projects, such as the highway projects from the Connecting Washington funding package that enhances the statewide transportation system and maintains critical infrastructure. This position makes recommendations to management on decisions for Clean Water Act 401 Water Quality Certifications and Coastal Zone Management Act Consistency Determinations after thorough coordination with the transportation liaison team, Federal Permitting/401 team, and other Ecology technical leads for stormwater and wetlands.
We are looking for an experienced water quality permitting expert with the ability to review and understand complex technical documents, capable of effective communication, the ability to work effectively as part of a coordinated team, and to effectively apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
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 of the Ecology Transportation Liaison position are:
Transportation Liaison/Federal Permit Manager:- Serves as a senior environmental section specialist with responsibilities for implementing federal and state guidance, and anti-degradation policies contained in Chapter RCW 90.48. Duties includes coordination of the state level Clean Water Act Section 401 permitting response to federal permits issued under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) dealing with program policy and interpretation of the enforceable policies, rules, regulations and procedures and the coordination of the state level permitting response to CZMA Federal Consistence.
- Independently provides technical assistance and compliance guidance for Section 401 Certifications, coordinates with other Ecology staff and applicants on violations of Section 401 conditions or state water quality standards, initiates and participates in enforcement actions.
- Independently resolves issues related to Section 401 appeals to the Pollution Control Hearings Board. Works directly with the Assistant Attorney General and other parties (including local planners, attorneys, and citizens)
Coordination and Team Participation:- Coordinates externally with WSDOT Liaisons Manager, WSDOT project offices, and other federal and state permitting agencies on review of transportation projects.
- Coordinates with other Ecology staff for review of transportation projects.
- Participates in regular Ecology 401/Federal Permitting Team meetings and activities.
Please Note: This is a project position that is scheduled to end June 30, 2019. - 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 (1) 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 (1) of the above fields AND two (2) years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one 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.
The experience as 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.
The experience as 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.
Desired Qualifications:- Knowledge of and/or experience in implementing environmental legislation and regulations at the federal and state levels, particularly the Clean Water Act; familiarity with construction techniques and sediment/erosion control best management practices, familiarity with permit review processes, and experience with linear transportation projects.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and speaking.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a coordinated team, to review and understand complex technical documents, and to effectively apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Must possess a valid driver’s license. - 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 Brenden McFarland at: brenden.mcfarland@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Brenden 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.
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- State of Washington
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View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504.
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- Website
- http://www.careers.wa.gov