Please see the following website for application link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2236346/aquaculture-specialist-environmental-specialist-5
The Department of Ecology is recruiting for an Aquaculture Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5) in the Water Quality Program. This position will be located in either our Southwest Regional Office in Lacey, WA or our Northwest Regional Office in Bellevue, WA, depending on the location of the successful candidate.
This position supports the program and agency goals as the program expert on aquaculture, including issues related to fin fish raising, fish hatcheries, shell fish farms and hatcheries, and fish processing.
We are looking for applicants who have an excellent science background as a foundation to develop creative solutions to challenging regulatory requirements for the permitting of fish and shellfish aquaculture facilities. Applicants should have excellent oral and written communication skills necessary to convey complex permitting concepts to permit applicants, members of the public, or elected officials. Applicants should have confidence in their abilities to provide leadership in the technical and regulatory aspects of aquaculture at a state-wide level.
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.
Program Mission: The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington’s waters to support healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures state waters can support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.
What does the Aquaculture Specialist do?
- Represents the Water Quality Program as the expert on aquaculture issues state-wide. Monitors current research, is the primary contact for aquaculture issues, and prepares agency regulatory and guidance documents for aquaculture facilities.
- Ensure the operation of aquaculture facilities support clean water and are regulated consistent with the Clean Water Act.
- ?Reviews plans and monitoring reports from regulated facilities including fish hatcheries, commercial net pens and other aquaculture facilities.
- Travels state wide, including on Puget Sound, to visit and inspect aquaculture facilities.
- Prepares documents for executive or legislative audience that articulate agency positions on the regulation and support of aquaculture facilities.
What challenges does this job face?
This is a challenging, multifaceted position that develops statewide policy and direction in aquaculture for the agency while preparing regulatory documents for individual facilities. This position operates with considerable independence and interacts with other local, state and federal agencies. This position:
- Reissues water quality permits and defends agency decisions.
- Provides technical assistance to operators of aquaculture facilities and prepares enforcement actions, as needed.
- Produces written documents on a tight timetable.
- Explains the agency’s regulatory requirements to stakeholders, interest groups and members of the public
- Works with the public and permittees on controversial issues, such as net pens.
- Requires occasional travel on small boats.
Please Note: The salary range shown above is for the Lacey location. If this position is located in Bellevue, the salary range will be 5% higher than standard Environmental Specialist 5 positions due to assignment pay that is given based on the location.
This position will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be on October 26, 2018. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before October 25, 2018. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree in one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied fields such as fisheries, oceanography, limnology, natural resource science, biology, or environmental science AND six years of professional level experience in environmental controls, fisheries management or fisheries research, applied oceanography or research, or fish aquaculture or research, which includes two equivalent to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.
OR
A Master’s degree in one of the above fields and four years of professional- level experience as required above which includes two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.
OR
A Ph.D. in one of the above fields and three years of professional-level experience as required above which includes two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.
Experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 can include any 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, or 11) providing environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience writing waste water discharge permits or water quality certifications.
- Investigator experience.
- Experience with enforcing Washington state laws or Federal Clean Water Act Requirements.
- Experience maintaining objectivity and composure in stressful or contentious situations.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Must 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
Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
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
Supplemental Information
- A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
- A resume outlining your professional experience.
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:
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 is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
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.