Permit Writer/Manager- Quincy Ground Water Management Subarea

(Environmental Specialist 3)

Salary
$42,264.00 – $55,476.00 Annually
Location
Spokane County – Spokane, WA
Job Type
Full Time – Permanent
Department
Dept. of Ecology
Job Number
2017-WR3780-06242
Closing
Continuous
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. If you want to join a highly effective, collaborative team in exciting work dedicated to managing a sustainable water supply in Central Washington, this may be the position for you.

The Water Resources (WR) program is currently looking to fill a Permit Writer/Manager-Quincy Ground Water Management Subarea (Environmental Specialist 3) position. This position will be located in our Eastern Regional Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.

The Permit Writer/Manager-Quincy Ground Water Management Subarea position serves as a staff permit writer with a customer service focus. The position performs the following tasks: Management of water rights and investigation of water right applications and applications for changes to water rights. The primary responsibility of this permit writer/manager position is to manage applications and permits for Artificially Stored Ground Water (ASGW) in support of Ecology’s role in the ongoing effort to regulate the Quincy Ground Water Management Subarea (QGWMS). It requires extensive knowledge of the Washington State water code and an ability to interpret WACs 173-134A and 173-136 to water right applicants and other interested parties statewide.   

We are seeking a motivated and ambitious applicant who has extensive knowledge of statutes and regulations that comprise Washington’s water code. This individual must have strong interpersonal and problem solving skills, excellent oral and written communications skills, be capable of performing field work, working efficiently, effectively, and independently, in a timely manner. The successful canadidate will also have strong negotiation skills, collaborative partnership building skills, and training and experience using GIS software. Ability to understand and map legal descriptions.
   
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 TwitterFacebookInstagram 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 Water Resources (WR) program is to manage water resources to meet the current and future needs of the natural environment and Washington’s communities.

Some of the key work activities of the Permit Writer/Manager-Quincy Ground Water Management Subarea are:

Develop permit decisions and track the amount of water available for appropriation from the Quincy Basin ASGW program as authorized in WACs 173-134A and 173-136.

  • In consultation with the lead permit manager or watermaster for the basin: plan research, collect, analyze, and interpret technical field and water right data pertinent to applications for new water rights and applications for changes to existing water rights.
  • Prepare maps in GIS for assigned projects.
  • Use sound judgment in making decisions.
  • Review applications for technical accuracy; mitigate conflicts when resolution is possible.  Coordinate the QGWMS technical committee composed of state and federal staff that reviews applications and permits for both ASGW and naturally occurring groundwater for compliance with applicable state and federal requirements.

Manage existing water right authorizations.

  • Work under general direction and receive the assistance of lead permit writer or watermaster to review requests for extension, administrative splits and assignments.
  • Maintain files incorporating field notes, updating progress sheets and under the guidance of the regional public disclosure coordinator identifies potentially public disclosure exempt materials.
  • Track project development – ensure permits are in compliance with development schedules and work to bring permittees into compliance with applicable federal and state requirements.
  • With general supervision, and guidance of senior staff, investigates complaints received by Ecology.
  • Respond to telephone, office and field contacts, and written inquires on water rights, the water right process and water law.
  • Participates and represents Ecology at public workshops and hearings related to agency programs.
  • Assist the Washington State attorney General’s office in case preparation by developing factual data and exhibits to support Ecology’s permitting decisions regarding water right applications.
  • Testify before the Pollution Control Hearing Board.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be July 25, 2017.  In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before July 24, 2017. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

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 two (2) years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year-for-year, for education.
   
A Master’s degree in one of the above fields will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

OR

A Ph.D. in one (1) of the above fields.

OR

One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2.
 

Desired Qualifications:

Strong interpersonal and problem solving skills. Excellent oral and written communications skills. Must be capable of performing field work, working efficiently, effectively, and independently, in a timely manner.  Extensive knowledge of statutes and regulations that comprise Washington’s water code. 
Strong negotiation skills.  Collaborative partnership building.  Knowledge of water measuring techniques and equipment use.  Experience with legal proceedings and procedures.  Training and experience using GIS software.  Ability to understand and map legal descriptions.    

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:

Must possess a valid driver’s license.



Supplemental Information

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 Dan Tolleson at: Dan.tolleson@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Dan 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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