Please see the following website for application link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kingcounty/jobs/2366166/environmental-scientist-iii-tlt?keywords=environmental%20&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Salary: $40.87 – $51.81 Hourly
Job Number: 2019MK09447
Closing: 3/14/2019 11:59 PM Pacific

Summary

We are hiring two temporary Environmental Scientist IIIs; the expected duration is indicated in parenthesis:

1) will focus on the Green River and Old Jeffs Farm Revetment (5 years) and
2) will focus on the Cedar/Sammamish and White Rivers (2.5 years).

These positions will be part of a team of environmental scientists working closely with river engineers, geologists and planners in the River and Floodplain Management Section (RFMS) in the Water and Land Resources Division.  Both positions will perform a broad range and scope of design, permitting, monitoring, construction management, and technical analyses to support the implementation of projects and programs identified in the King County Flood Hazard Management Plan in support of the King County Flood Control District. Information on the District is available at: http://www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org/default.aspx and the adopted 2006 King County Flood Hazard Management Plan and its 2013 Progress Report is available on King County’s web site at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/flooding/documents/flood-hazard-management-plan.aspx .

WHO MAY APPLY: These two positions are open to all qualified applicants.

If the successful applicant is a King County Career Service employee, this position will be offered as a special duty assignment. Employees must have their current supervisor’s approval to accept a Special Duty Assignment.

King County values diverse perspectives, life experiences and differences.  The Water and Land Resources Division encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.  We are committed to being equitable and fair in providing equal access to opportunities for all.

DURATION:  These positions are benefit eligible and have a duration of 2.5 – 3 years.

WORK SCHEDULE: This full time Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT) position is based on a 40 hour work week, Monday through Friday. This position is overtime eligible.

WORK LOCATION: King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson Street, Suite #600, in Downtown Seattle.

Our ideal candidate will have the following competencies:

  • Planning and organizing:  Anticipates and adjusts for problems; can marshal resources; uses resources effectively and efficiently; evaluates results; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal.
  • Technical skills:  Has the functional and technical knowledge and skill to accomplish the duties of the position.
  • Interpersonal savvy and approachability:  Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down sideways, in and outside of the organization; Builds rapport and is a good listener; puts others at ease; builds effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact.
  • Problem solving: Uses logic and methods to solve challenging problems with effective solutions; can see hidden problems and conduct honest analysis.
  • Peer relationships: Is seen as a team player; gains trust and support of peers; encourages collaboration. Can find common ground and solve problems for the good of all.

JOB SUMMARY: 

Both positions will:

  • Analyze impacts of river and floodplain management project actions on critical fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
  • Analyze habitat, fisheries, and related resources and conduct data analyses using commonly acceptable techniques and software.
  • Determine regulatory compliance strategies for CIP projects, and obtain and manage necessary permits from appropriate federal, state, and local agencies.
  • Develop comprehensive environmental mitigation approaches to address aquatic and riparian habitat impacts of riverine floodplain management programs and projects.
  • Develop and oversee consultant contracts.
  • Write technical reports and issue papers for various technical and non-technical audiences to summarize and convey project findings.
  • Assure regulatory compliance and act as “on-site biologist” during construction.
  • Design, manage, and implement effectiveness monitoring to support projects and programs.
  • Manage and oversee grants and budgets for projects associated with river ecology.
  • Participate in flood warning and emergency response programs and activities.

Green River Basin and Old Jeffs Farm position:

  • Provide ecological expertise in planning, designing, mitigating, permitting, constructing, and monitoring in support of the Old Jeffs Farm Revetment Project and other capital projects in the Green River basin.
  • Serve as a key member of the River and Floodplain Management Section (RFMS) supporting the river and floodplain ecological body of work.
  • Develop comprehensive environmental mitigation approaches to address aquatic and riparian habitat impacts of riverine floodplain management programs and projects.
  • Effectively collaborate with basin ecologists and maintenance staff to ensure consistency in the development of the project monitoring plan and/or special studies as related to the RFMS Effectiveness Monitoring Framework approaches for large-scale complex capital projects.
  • Analyze impacts of river and floodplain management project actions on critical fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
  • Analyze habitat, fisheries, and related resources and conduct data analyses using commonly acceptable techniques and software.
  • Determine regulatory compliance strategies for CIP projects, and obtain and manage necessary permits from appropriate federal, state, and local agencies.
  • Develop and oversee consultant contracts.
  • Write technical reports and issue papers for various technical and non-technical audiences to summarize and convey project findings.
  • Assure regulatory compliance and act as “on-site biologist” during construction.
  • Design, manage, and implement effectiveness monitoring to support projects and programs.
  • Effectively communicate and present technical information with managers and staff, project teams, tribal biologists and cultural resource specialists, residents and landowners, elected officials, other jurisdictions and agencies, and the WLRD Green River Coordination group and WRIA 9 technical committees.
  • Effectively coordinate with internal King County staff from multiple disciplines and programs to work collaboratively and successfully problem-solve issues related to river and floodplain management.
  • Manage and oversee grants and budgets for projects associated with river ecology.

Cedar/Sammamish White Rivers position:

  • Serve as a key member of the River and Floodplain Management Section (RFMS) supporting the river and floodplain ecological body of work.
  • Provide ecological expertise in planning, designing, permitting, constructing, and monitoring capital projects including repair, retrofit, and major reconstruction of levees and revetments, acquisition and home elevation projects, structure demolitions, and floodplain restoration primarily in support of the Cedar, Sammamish and White River basin team.
  • Collaborate with basin ecologists and maintenance staff to ensure consistency in the development of the project monitoring plan and/or special studies as related to the RFM Effectiveness Monitoring Framework approaches for large-scale complex capital projects.
  • Present to and discuss technical information with managers and staff, project teams, tribal biologists and cultural resource specialists, landowners, elected officials, and other jurisdictions and agencies.
  • Coordinate with internal King County staff from multiple disciplines and programs to work collaboratively on river and floodplain management issues.
  • Effectively present and communicate project elements and technical information with managers and staff, project teams, tribal biologists and cultural resource specialists, landowners, elected officials, other jurisdictions and agencies, and the WRIA-8 and WRIA-10 citizen and technical committees.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in aquatic biology, ecology, fisheries, environmental science, natural resource management, or a related technical field; and/ or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform all the duties described in this job announcement.
  • At least five years of increasingly responsible program and project management work that is applicable to the primary job functions of this position.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of river and watershed ecology, including fisheries biology, hydrology, water quality, and geomorphology. Understanding of key natural resource issues currently facing Pacific Northwest rivers and floodplains.
  • Knowledge and experience in the implementation of capital projects for flood risk reduction or floodplain restoration including planning, permitting, monitoring, and construction.

Demonstrated Experience In:  

  • Interdisciplinary collaboration with other professionals during the planning, design development, permitting, construction and monitoring of environmental restoration projects.
  • Federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations applicable to river and floodplain management projects and programs in King County.
  • Obtaining federal, state, and local permits related to work within rivers and streams.
  • Communicating scientific and technical project information to a range of audiences.
  • Developing or implementing monitoring plans related to project impacts on aquatic and wildlife habitat.
  • Managing projects or studies, preparing and monitoring scopes, budgets and schedules.
  • Developing, analyzing, and conveying technical information, using common computer software packages (Word, Excel, GIS, etc.).
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, other government agencies, non-profit organizations, Tribes, landowners, consultants, and construction crews.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

  • Professional certification in ecology, wetland ecology, fisheries biology, erosion and sediment control, or other related field relevant to the design and implementation of projects and programs in river floodplains.
  • Experience with adult and juvenile fisheries survey or habitat assessment.
  • Experience utilizing statistical packages (Python, R, etc.).
  • Construction management or developing erosion control measures used in environmental projects.
  • Knowledge and experience working in one or more of the following King County river basins: Snoqualmie/ South Fork Skykomish, Cedar/ Sammamish, Green River, White River.
  • Familiarity with key issues, entities, and agencies – both internal and external to King County government – involved in floodplain management and flood hazard reduction.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the 2006 King County Flood Hazard Management Plan and its 2013 Progress Report, the King County River and Floodplain Management program, and the King County Flood Control District.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with occasional time spent performing field site inspections. Participation in flood warning and emergency response programs and activities typically involve short-term work in excess of 12 hours per day and during all hours of the day that may include evenings, weekends and holidays. Heavy workloads, deadline pressure and interruptions due to changing priorities are not uncommon.

Physical Requirements: This position requires the ability to conduct occasional physical site inspections and evaluation. There is an intermittent need to walk on uneven terrain, for limited periods of time. Field conditions include brushy, forested environments; river, stream and wetland corridors; and slippery, uneven surfaces and dynamic conditions in the outdoors. Work tasks also likely will include in-water situations involving wading and the use of rafts or canoes. Ability to complete King County provided Swiftwater Rescue Training course within 6 months of employment.

Necessary Special Requirements: A valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to travel throughout the County in a timely manner. A final offer of employment will be contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment physical examination.

Union Membership: Positions in this classification are represented by Local 17A, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

CONTACT:  For questions about this recruitment, please contact:
Michelle Kobuki, HR Analyst
michelle.kobuki@kingcounty.gov
206-477-4740

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
A supplemental questionnaire must be completed and submitted with the application. The items address important elements of this position and the information you provide will help to determine your eligibility for further consideration. Please limit your responses to 1-2 pages.