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

This position serves as the senior environmental section specialist on the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) permit, and assists with development of aquatic pesticide permits. Some of the key activities of this position are:

• Leads assigned general permit development and implementation teams for CAFO permits.
• Leads general permit-related negotiations.
• Leads internal and external outreach activities to a variety of government and nongovernment stakeholder groups.
• Works with program management and staff on developing policies, priorities, and program/cross program issues related to general permits.
• Consults with agency management regarding general permit writing.
• Helps internal and external stakeholders implement general permits.
• Represents the agency at hearings and appeals.
• Uses advanced scientific knowledge to assist inspection staff and managers within Ecology, the Washington Department of Agriculture, and permitted facilities.
• Assists permittees with meeting procedural and technical requirements of general permits.

 
Please note: This position is being re-posted in order to increase the size of the applicant pool. If you previously applied you do not have to re-apply.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial review date for this position will be November 8,  2017. To be considered for the initial review date, please apply online by November 7, 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 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 Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
 
OR
 
Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3
 
 
Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.


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.
 
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.


Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Nutrient management experience (e.g. planning field nutrient budgets).
• Conversationally fluent in Spanish.
• One or more years of professional level experience in environmental permitting.

 

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:

Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Application Instructions

In order to be considered, applicants MUST attach the following documents as an attachment to their application:

• A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required/desired qualifications of this position.
• A Resume.

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position.

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.

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 e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not 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 Nathan Lubliner at: Nathan.Lubliner@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Nathan 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.