The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has a full-time, permanent Environmental Specialist 4 position.  This position is located Lynden, Washington.

This position is available to current/internal WSDA employees who possess the required certification(s) only.

Within the Daily Nutrient Management Program, Inspectors implement the Washington State Water Pollution Control Act and the Dairy Nutrient Management Act.  Inspectors provide assistance to dairies and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in complying with multiple and complex laws and regulations related to water quality.  Inspectors ensure that nutrient management plans reflect technologies and management practices implemented at specific facilities and that CAFO’s meet nutrient management plans and permit requirements.  Inspectors conduct complex investigations of actual or potential water quality violations, identify corrective action, conduct follow up to ensure corrective actions have been implemented and recommend enforcement actions and penalties.

This position serves as a senior environmental specialist working with the dairy industry and local pollution prevention programs toward the goals of clean water and sustainable industry.  As an Environmental Specialist 4, you are expected to possess a high level of expertise in water quality monitoring methods, knowledge of agricultural production and manure handling, and experience with technical service and education for nutrient management.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Inspecting, managing and tracking a large caseload of dairy facilities located in Skagit, Snohomish, King, San Juan and Island counties to meet program goals of:
  • Inspecting new dairies within 60 days
  • Conducting routine inspections of dairies every 2 years
  • Conducting follow up inspections in timely manner
  • Updating information collected during inspections and investigations in the program’s database system
• Investigations
  • Respond to water quality related complaints through field assessments, recommending actions to mitigate risks and environmental impacts, and when necessary, recommend appropriate compliance actions
  • Ensure evidence and water samples are collected to be in compliance with Standard Methods and are defensible in court
• Regulatory Technical Assistance
  • Provide interpretation, guidance and regulatory assistance to dairy facility operators regarding water quality standards, water pollution control laws, federal NPDES permits, agriculture best management practices, sources of technical assistance and financial assistance, and anaerobic digester rules and regulations
• Work with a wide range of stake holders and dairies with highly contentious watersheds that have issues with surface and ground waters of the state
• Represent the agency and program at local watershed meetings in Puget Sound counties (Partner with Pollution Identification and Control Projects, TMDL projects).
  • Provide program information, input support for locally-based strategies to reduce impacts from agricultural operations to local watersheds
• Coordinate with Ecology to manage oversight of livestock operations that are covered by CAFO NPDES permit
  • Review nutrient management plans, conduct inspection and investigation activity, provide regulatory technical assistance, and recommend appropriate enforcement
• Coordinate with Conservation District and NRCS on technical issues, farm plan updates and best management practices
• Serve as DNMP senior specialist in administration of the NEP grant
  • Maintaining expertise in grant submittal and reward processes, grant reporting and effective management of grant resources including budgeting
  • Providing training to program staff regarding water sampling protocols, surveillance and documentation methods and meeting goals as outlined by NEP grant tasks
• Serve as DNMP senior specialist in Outreach and Educational materials specific to dairy nutrient management
  • Maintaining expertise in the development and review of educational materials and resources
  • Developing, reviewing, and distributing materials as needed for the program

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in natural, physical, environmental or agriculture science or geography or other allied field

• Two years of experience as Environmental Specialist 3 or above

Desired Qualifications:

• Expertise in water quality, agronomy, or best management practices (including expertise in solid waste, digester, composting, and other subjects related to managing livestock manure and process waste).
• 4 years journey level experience with Dairy Nutrient Management Program or 4 years of experience in water quality related regulatory experience.

Supplemental Information:
This position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License, the ability to travel as well as the ability to work in agricultural settings.

HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for this position you MUST complete your profile within www.careers.wa.gov and answer the supplemental questions in order to be considered.

Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying to the on-line profile.

If you are unable to apply on-line, please contact the human resource consultant listed below. Please include your last name and the position title in the subject line of your email.

If you are unable to apply on-line, please contact Lisa Biscay, Recruiter, at (360) 902-2020 or jobs@agr.wa.gov. Please include your last name and the position title in the subject line of your email.

The State of Washington actively supports diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants who need assistance in the application process or who need this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 725-5506 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-833-6388.