Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is recruiting for an Aquatic Pesticide Permitting Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5) in the Water Quality Program. This position serves as the senior program expert on aquatic plant and animal control. This position advises agency management, other agencies, permittees, and the public regarding aquatic plant and animal control and management, and serves as the senior permit writer for aquatic pesticide use.

We are looking for applicants who possess excellent communication skills, and are comfortable talking to the public and stakeholders about controversial and politically sensitive aquatic issues.

This position is located in our Headquarters 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

• Leads the development of general permits and individual permits including: the Aquatic Mosquito, the Aquatic Noxious Weed Control, the Aquatic Plant and Algae Management, the Aquatic Invasive Species, and the Japanese Eelgrass Control general permits, and the Fishery Resource Management and the Gypsy Moth Control individual permits. These permits span from public health issues (mosquitos) to federally regulated invasive quarantine pests (invasive species permit and invasive moth permit).
• Develops permits, which includes writing permits and factsheets, issuing draft permits, conducting public hearings, working with stakeholders, planning outreach and informational meetings, developing a formal response to comments received on draft permits, and issuance of final permits.
• Develops or reviews risk assessments and/or environmental impact studies on pesticides and other management products. These assessments and environmental impact studies are important to determine which pesticides are appropriate for use under these permits, and where risk to humans, livestock, pets, plants and property can be mitigated using permit conditions.
• Implements aquatic pesticide permits, which includes providing technical assistance, developing technical/educational materials, and representing the Agency on questions related to permitting aquatic plant and animal control, and management.
• Represents the program on lake issues related to aquatic plant and algae management, and identifies critical issues and recommends preventative or corrective measures. This may include site visits, assisting with aquatic plant surveys, presenting permitting, aquatic plant and algae management information to lakes groups or representing the agency at rapid response planning workshops for invasive species.

A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND six years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning, which includes two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above

OR

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields AND four years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning, which includes two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above

OR

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND three years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning, which includes two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above

OR

One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 4.

NOTE: Additional qualifying experience will substitute year for year for education.

Desired Qualifications:

• Three or more years of experience that demonstrates the ability to read and understand scientific or technical literature and interpret data
• The ability to interact with scientists, and communicate complicated concepts to a wide range of audiences
• Master’s or Ph.D. in biology, botany, toxicology, environmental sciences, aquatic ecology, limnology, or related field.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Must possess a valid driver’s license.

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