Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are 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, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.

Are you a problem solver that enjoys a challenge? Do you want to make a difference by making a positive impact on the environment? If so, then join a great team that shares your interests!

The Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response program (SPPR) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Senior Natural Resources Damage Assessment Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.

This position responds to oil spills and directs multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams to conduct natural resource damage assessments, conducts sampling and scientific studies, manages and evaluates data, and generates reports. The successful candidate will support the TRAP after-hours emergency response team, responds to spills of oil and hazardous materials, and is required to perform after-hours on-call duty and work extra time after-hours and weekends during spills. This position facilitates the Resource Damage Assessment and Coastal Protection Fund steering committees. This position also serves as the QA/QC coordinator for the Spills Program and maintains the program Data Quality Procedure.

We are looking for applicants who:

• Thrive in a response environment and are flexible to an environment of shifting priorities.
• Are analytical, organized and detailed.
• Have excellent communication and group facilitator skills.
• Are committed to public service and feel rewarded by achieving excellent environmental outcomes.

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

The mission of the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (Spills) program is to protect Washington’s environment, public health, and safety through a comprehensive spill prevention, preparedness and response program.

This position serves as a senior environmental specialist for the Ecology Spills Program Response Section.  With the ultimate objective of restoring public resources injured by oil spills, this position works independently, with the public and multiple stakeholders to apply the Washington State Oil Spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment law to process damage assessments and manage agency-funded restoration work.

This position is required to serve as a duty officer for after-hours pager duty on a regular rotation. 

Some of the key work activities of the Senior Natural Resources Damage Assessment Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) are:

• Processing Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) actions
• Facilitating the NRDA and Coastal Protection Fund Committees
• Responding to oil and hazardous materials spills
• Performing air monitoring
• Assisting with incident safety
• Serving as the Spills Program QA/QC Coordinator
• Maintaining CORE-15, Spills Sampling QA/QC and providing training to Spills staff
• Developing and processing Coastal Protection Fund grants in EAGL
• Supporting spill responses on an after-hour on-call duty team

Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental/civil/mechanical/chemical engineering, environmental planning, or closely allied science field (such as biology, chemistry, geology, public health, or toxicology). AND Five years of professional-level experience performing environmental restoration, environmental analysis and clean-up, or environmental response.

OR

The candidate may have a Master’s degree in one of the above fields AND three years of professional-level experience as required above.

OR

a Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two years of professional-level experience as required above.

This position requires knowledge of processing natural resource damage assessments, environmental policies, federal and state environmental regulations, impacts of oil pollution on marine and freshwater natural resources, and methods of identifying, analyzing, and documenting the consequences of oil spills.  Requires a thorough knowledge of oil spill sampling procedures and knowledge of case documentation, quality assurance/quality control measures, and evidence collection. HAZWOPER certification at the technician level is required.

Desired Qualifications:

A Master’s degree or higher in a science or natural resource field is preferred. Knowledge of the Northwest Area Contingency Plan. Familiarity with Washington Labor and Industry HAZWOPER safety regulations and developing site-specific health and safety plans. Experience administering grants and working with Ecology’s EAGL system is desired. Experience is also desired with air sampling and monitoring techniques for community and worker safety.

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:

Must be able to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC Card) which entails a detailed background check.  Must be prepared to travel for up to 3 days on 1-hour notice. Must possess a valid WA driver’s license, must have documentation (passport) and maintain the ability to travel to Canada for transboundary spills.

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 outlining your professional environmental 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.

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 or call 360-407-6186. 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 David Byers at: david.byers@ecy.wa.gov.  Please do not contact David 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.