Water Resources Rule Development Lead (Environmental Planner 5)

Salary
$62,748.00 – $82,344.00 Annually
Location
Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Job Type
Full Time – Permanent
Department
Dept. of Ecology
Job Number
2018-WR3963-02475
Closing
Continuous
Description
An image without description     An image without description     An image without description     An image without description     An image without description

An image without description

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.

The Water Resources program (WR) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Water Resources Rule Development Lead (Environmental Planner 5) position. The position is located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.

The Water Resources Rule Development Lead position facilitates resolution of water resource conflicts by determining water allocation. The work is critical to maintaining and restoring stream flows necessary to protect and recover salmon populations in Washington. This position supports the Program Manager in coordinating efforts between regions, between programs and between agencies to develop rules that comply with water resource statutes and the Administrative Procedures Act, working closely with staff outside the program, including agency managers, policy staff, watershed planning groups, economists, attorneys, and scientists and a variety of other stakeholders.

We are looking for applicants who have strong communications skills are able to handle conflict in a positive and respectful manner and are able to work in a changing environment.

As an agency, 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.ecology.wa.gov.

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts
 

Duties
An image without description

Agency Mission:  Ecology’s mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment and to promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations.

Program Mission: The mission of the Water Resources program (WR) 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 Water Resources Rule Development Lead position are:

  • Leads team efforts to establish and implement rules to protect stream flows.
  • Evaluates laws and court decisions for implications to the streamflow protection program, and writes guidance to implement the changes.
  • Provides technical and policy guidance to management, often working with a team, about issues related to streamflow protection and instream resources.
  • Prepares agency responses to petitions for rule amendment, repeal, or adoption under the Administrative Procedures Act.
  • Submits the annual report to the legislature on instream flow setting.

This position:

  • Writes rules and guidance documents.
  • Drafts letter responses to stakeholders on a wide variety of topics and issues.
  • Creates a collaborative environment in all team efforts that they lead.
  • Develops external relationships with stakeholders, and partner agencies, and build trust.

This position has an opportunity to:

  • Solve a wide range of problems relating to protecting instream resources. Understanding and addressing the legal, social, and technical drivers for the needed level of instream flow protection. Developing instream flow protection regulations that can be effectively administered with available resources. Addressing basin-specific needs while trying to achieve consistency state-wide.
  • Manage complex, controversial rule adoption processes, managing timing constraints, and complying with the Administrative Procedures Act.

Interesting aspects of this position:

  • This position gives you the chance to influence how our state protects vital resources as the population increases.
  • It’s never boring. It is a good job for someone with lots of innate curiosity.
  • Water is becoming the most valuable natural resource in many parts of the world, understanding the legal and technical framework for water management will be an increasingly valuable skill set for any environmental manager.
  • So much of water management is driven by history, it is fascinating to learn about.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be April 2, 2018.  In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before April 1, 2018. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

A Master’s degree with a major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental or natural resources planning or management, environmental law, environmental or public policy, or closely related planning or science field

AND

Five (5) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental or natural resources planning or management, environmental law, environmental or public policy, or closely related planning or science field.

A PhD in one of the above-fields may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Desired Qualifications

Knowledge and experience in the following areas:

  • Watershed planning and management.
  • Land use planning under Washington’s Growth Management Act.
  • Water resources laws, water resources policy and science especially related to instream flow protection and enhancement.
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 Dave Christensen at: davc461@ecy.wa.gov.  Please do not contact Dave 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.

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work. Check with the agency human resource office for specific benefit information.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.  There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.  Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.  Employees are also covered by basic life and long term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.  To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems‘ web site.
 
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
 
Vacation (Annual Leave)
You begin accruing vacation starting your first month of employment. Since we value your loyalty, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Vacation accrues for full-time employees per WAC 357-31-165.

Holidays

Full-time employees are entitled to eleven* paid holidays:

HOLIDAY
DATE
New Year’s Day
January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday
Third Monday in January
Presidents’ Day
Third Monday in February
Memorial Day
Last Monday in May
Independence Day
July 4
Labor Day
First Monday in September
Veterans’ Day
November 11
Thanksgiving Day
Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day
December 25
Personal Holiday
Employee’s selection each calendar year

*Employees who are members of certain Unions are entitled to an additional personal leave day of their choice. Please refer to specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

 
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Paid sick leave may be used for reasons included in WAC 357-31-130.
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information.
01
How did you learn about this job posting?

  • www.careers.wa.gov
  • Community Based Organization
  • Community / Technical College
  • Ecology Employee
  • Ecology Recruiter
  • Ecology Jobs Page
  • Facebook
  • Job Board
  • Job Fair
  • LinkedIn
  • Newspaper
  • Other State Agency
  • Other Website
  • Professional Association
  • Twitter
  • Radio
  • University Job Board
  • WorkSource
02
If you selected Community Based Organization, Community / Technical College, Job Board, Job Fair, LinkedIn Group, Newspaper, Other State Agency, Other Website, Professional Association, Radio, University Job Board or WorkSource location then please share which one.
03
Which statement best describes your education with a major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field?

  • I have a Master’s Degree.
  • I have a PhD.
  • None of the above statements apply.
04
Please indicate your degree(s) and major.
05
Please select the statement that best describes your professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resources planning, and/or program development?

  • I have at least four years of experience.
  • I have at least five years of experience.
  • None of the above statements apply.
06
Please provide additional information to support your response to question number 5. The following information is needed: position title(s), specific duties, and periods of employment. Make sure your responses specifically address the qualifications above. An incomplete answer, including “please see resume” may remove you from further consideration.

Required Question

Agency
State of Washington
Address
View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Phone
View Posting for Agency Contact