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 Streamflow Restoration Implementation Lead positions are:

• Serves as a senior environmental planner and program expert implementing a new state law – (ESSB 6091) in assigned Southwest Regional watersheds.
• Chairs and coordinates the establishment of 1-2 Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Committees and leads the Committee’s plan development.
• Coordinates with state and local agencies, tribal governments, and external stakeholders, as well as internal Ecology technical experts, to develop recommendations for projects and actions that will:
  • Measure, protect, and enhance instream resources.
  • Improve watershed functions that support the recovery of threatened and endangered salmonids.
• Manages grant and contracts for work related to implementing ESSB 6091 in the designated watershed(s).
• Responds to inquiries from state, county and local governments, legal counsel, consultants and the general public concerning implementation of the new water law.
• Works with other senior environmental planners to ensure coordination across watersheds in the Southwest Region and statewide.
• There will be evening meetings, some travel (local within the Southwest Region), and facilitating or leading meetings where parties with opposing interests are present.

The positions are expected to accomplish the following:

• Lead the development and implementation of a Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Plan from initial formation to final plan development.
• The positions coordinate and serve as a liaison with other state and local agencies, Tribal governments, and stakeholders within the watershed(s) and internally with technical experts.
• In the planning process, the positions lead the committee through a collaborative effort to develop recommendations for projects and actions that will measure, protect, and enhance instream resources and improve watershed functions that support the recovery of threatened and endangered salmonids.
• Works with other watershed leads to develop best practices and guidance related to plan development. After plan recommendations are complete, future work could include plan implementation, project management, agreement oversight and/or rule-making efforts to implement Streamflow Restoration plans and projects.

Interesting aspects:

• There are many rewarding challenges to this job. Finding “water-for-water” replacement to restore streamflow is not a cheap or easy option. There are supporters and opponents to this effort, all with good reasons – economic development in stressed rural areas versus protection of healthy streamflows that migrating salmon need to spawning and rearing.
• Taking on a new environmental challenge and being part of a leading edge effort to restore streamflow can be an inviting opportunity to many in the environmental planner and profession.

Culture of the team:

Ecology’s Water Resources Program is a fun, innovative and very dedicated group of individuals in the Southwest Region, HQ and in the other Ecology Regions.
Our job is two-fold:

1. To protect senior water rights (including streamflows) and
2. To make effective water management decisions on issuing or denying new water right applications.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be April 9, 2018.  In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before April 8, 2018. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

A Master’s degree or above 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

AND 

Three (3) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

OR 

One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Planner 3.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience managing multi-stakeholder processes, including experience convening and managing large committees representing diverse interests and working towards a unified goal.
• Technical knowledge and familiarity with state and federal water law, and the State Environmental Permitting Process (SEPA).
• Working knowledge of ESRI Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and database software.
• Two (2) years of experience in an environmental, planning or management field and experience with multi-stakeholder process management, including experience managing large committees representing diverse interests and working towards a unified goal.

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:

Possess a valid driver’s license.

Why work for Ecology?

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State’s environment.

A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS),  Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth

More information about the Student Loans and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program:
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information

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 Mike Gallagher at: mgal461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Mike 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.