Please see the following website for full job posting and application link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2284022/watershed-implementation-lead-environmental-specialist-4-3-positions

Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

 

The Department of Ecology is looking for three Watershed Implementation Leads in our Water Quality Program. These position develop and implement water quality improvement plans with a focus on increasing community involvement, and are located at our Eastern Regional Office in Spokane, WA.

We are looking for applicants who possess excellent people skills, have the ability to collaborate with diverse groups, and are passionate about protecting stream and rivers from non-point pollution.

The most qualified candidates will have the ability to communicate effectively with different audiences on complex water quality issues, and quickly assess situations and make decisions.

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.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and check us out on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

Duties

The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington’s waters to sustain healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures that state waters support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.

Watershed Implementation Leads identify pollution problems within streams, rivers, and lakes, and develop strategies to fix these problems. Each position will specialize on a specific geographical area or watershed, and will focus on specific skills including water quality monitoring, fisheries, non-point compliance/enforcement, complaint response, geographic information systems (GIS), state environmental policy act, CAFOs, etc. This focus will allow each position to understand each watershed’s specific situation, and come up with effective, tailored solutions.

What are these positions’ goals?

  • Improve water quality and aquatic health by implementing best management practices that are effective at protecting streams from land-use impacts.
  • Improve water quality and habitat for salmonids and other aquatic species.
  • Develop clean-up plans for polluted streams and then work creatively to implement those plans in order to meet water quality standards.

What does a Watershed Implementation Lead do?

  • Work with landowners, small businesses, and conservation organizations to improve stream health by implementing stream restoration activities.
  • Evaluate water quality impacts and stream condition for waterbodies that are polluted, and then develop clean-up plans designed to meet state water quality standards.
  • Work to protect and improve aquatic habitat including helping to recover Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed salmonids.
  • Provide oversight on state funded grant projects designed to reduce water pollution. Examples of projects include installing fence to protect streams from livestock, planting native vegetation, public outreach and education on non-point pollution, stream bank bioengineering, and installation of large wood structures.
  • Enforce state water quality law by requesting and potentially requiring practices, such as stream setbacks, that are known to be effective at protecting water quality.
  • Occasionally deliver tough or unpopular messages about what is needed to protect water quality.

Why join the team?

  • These positions often see the on-the-ground results of their work, such as restored stream reaches, implementation of conservation practices, and improving water quality.
  • These positions are part of a watershed team that cares deeply about our mission to protect and improve water quality, and is tasked with exciting, complex work that makes a difference. The team members bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to their jobs.
  • Team members are committed to supporting each other and they desire to see the all members be successful.
These positions are open until filled, with the initial screening on January 28, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before January 27, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Qualifications

 

Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, or other allied field AND five years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning, which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.

OR

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields AND three years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.

OR

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.

The experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 can include a combination 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, 11) providing environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.

The experience as an Environmental Specialist 2 can include assisting in any of the following areas: 1) performing field surveys or studies, 2) responding to complaints involving scientific or technical content, 3) preparing public meetings and hearings, 4) assistance with routine inspections or investigations requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 5) responding to routine inquires or requests for technical assistance involving scientific content, 6) special projects that are scientific in nature, 7) conducting routine sampling and testing analysis, interprets data, writing reports 8) performing basic sampling data review, 9) maintaining an environmental data base to support technical projects, 10) providing routine environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Training on water quality standards and use attainability analyses.
  • Experience reviewing sampling plans, laboratory reports, scientific reports, permit applications.
  • Experience preparing and giving public presentations of technical information, assistance, guidance, training, outreach to federal, state, tribal, and local government, business, industry and the public
  • Experience in watershed planning approaches for control of water pollution sources and water cleanup plans (TMDLs) that include recommendations or implementations of cleanup measures.
  • Experience working with nonpoint source pollution control strategies.
  • Experience working with of Phase II stormwater permits.

Special Requirements

Must have 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

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 Chad Atkins at: Chad.Atkins@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Chad 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 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.