The Watershed Health and Effectiveness Monitoring Unit Supervisor position manages a highly technical staff of research scientists, environmental specialists, and biologists.  The position directs work activities in Stream Biological and Habitat Assessment and Effectiveness Monitoring studies as well as participates in policy and program development of applied environmental monitoring design activities. This position is critical to the agency’s understanding of our freshwater resources and is responsible for ensuring that staff findings are scientifically defensible. This position represents Ecology’s water quality interests when meeting with local government, state and federal agencies, business, industry, conservation districts and tribes regarding Stream Biological and Habitat Assessment and Effectiveness Monitoring studies.

Some of the key work duties and activities include:

• Manage the recruiting and hiring of staff in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement by and between the State of Washington and Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) and with civil service rules.
• Plan, lead, organize, and control the work performed by the unit. Ensure appropriate and optimal use of the unit’s resources and enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities. Support effective communications throughout the agency. Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the state’s goals for a diverse workforce.
• Plan and schedule unit workload, coordinate annual planning, establish priorities, assign tasks, facilitate intra – and inter-program project teams, monitor status of unit tasks and commitments, and ensure timeliness of employee assignments.
• Evaluate unit staffing needs, initiate personnel actions, prepare position descriptions and essential functions analyses, recommend staff hires, arrange training and professional development opportunities, evaluate staff performance, and initiate or recommend corrective actions.
• Manage unit budget and monitor expenditures; approve leave, timesheets, training requests, travel expense vouchers, and purchasing requests.
• Assure the timely completion of required or appropriate scientific reports, technical publications, Environmental Indicators, and other required products. Provide a detailed review of QAPPs, memoranda, and technical reports to ensure the scientific validity of research methods, SOPs, findings, and recommendations. Ensure that staff findings and recommendations are consistent with state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines.
• Assure the long-term storage, archival, maintenance, and public access of quality assured Stream Biological and Habitat Assessment and Effectiveness Monitoring data.
• Prepare unit goals and objectives; communicate section, program, and agency activities to unit staff; communicate staff recommendations to management; coordinate monitoring activities with other unit supervisors; and prepare the unit’s monthly report.
• Serve as lead contact for policy and program development for the WHEMU (Stream Biological and Habitat Assessment and Effectiveness Monitoring) and serve as a program liaison on inter-program and inter-agency work groups; and coordinate with relevant governmental, professional, and industry officials.
• Serve as the Management Sponsor for TMDL TCT Field Focus Group.
• Serve as the agency representative on the PNAMP (Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership) Steering Committee.
• Participate in the NW Chapter, Society for Freshwater Science. Annual fall meetings rotate between WA, ID, OR and provide communication among federal, state, local, and private biological assessment organizations.

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 have specific questions about the position, please email Jessica Archer at:
Jessica.Archer@ecy.wa.gov.  Please do not contact Jessica Archer 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.

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.