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Summary

King County Water and Land Resources Division is looking for an Environmental Scientist III.  This position is located within the Ecological Restoration and Engineering Services Unit (ERES) and will focus on the development and implementation of habitat restoration projects, especially restoration projects identified in salmon recovery plans for the region.  The position will be part of a team of engineers, ecologists and other scientists to support the development, implementation and monitoring of projects and programs identified through the division’s capital projects planning processes. Many projects are large, complex, multi-year and multi-objective river restoration projects requiring a thorough understanding of the riverine environment, riverine processes and floodplain management.

**WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified applicants

FORMS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED:

  • A King County Application Form
  • Resume;
  • Cover Letter; and
  • Response to supplemental questions.

WORK SCHEDULE: This position works a 40-hour workweek, and is an hourly position governed by the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and/or the Washington State Minimum Wage Act, and is eligible for overtime pay or compensatory time accrual with prior approval. Job Duties

  • Provide technical input in the area of floodplain ecology on project teams to design and implement habitat restoration projects. Provide advanced level technical expertise in floodplain and river ecology and in fluvial processes that create and sustain river and floodplain habitats critical to the recovery of local salmonid populations.
  • Provide technical input in the area of fish behavior and ecology to ensure salmon recovery project objectives are met. This requires a deep understanding of the diverse life history strategies of salmonids in the Puget Sound lowland rivers and streams.
  • Identify appropriate process-based and ecological performance and design criteria to guide project designs and technical analyses.
  • Lead or participate as senior lead ecologist on interdisciplinary project teams in planning, designing, permitting, constructing and monitoring habitat restoration projects or multiple objective habitat restoration/flood reduction projects.
  • Manage, design and direct aquatic, floodplain habitat, and general biological surveys. Analyze data and present results in reports and in presentations.
  • Conduct endangered species surveys for salmonids and other aquatic organisms and prepare biological assessments and related Endangered Species Act Section 7 documents. Integrate findings into project designs.
  • Identify all local, state and federal environmental permits needed for project implementation and prepare, submit and monitor permit applications for timely acquisition. Develop efficient permit strategies and schedules for projects. Negotiate permit conditions and issues with regulatory agencies.
  • Develop and manage consultant and construction contracts needed for design and implementation of restoration projects.
  • Identify project stakeholders and develop and implement stakeholder/public outreach and engagement strategies. Discuss project objectives, designs and risks with stakeholders and interested public. Make presentations at public meetings.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

  • Bachelor of Science degree in river or floodplain ecology, aquatic biology, ecology, fish biology, environmental engineering, fluvial geomorphology or related field.
  • Experience planning, designing and/or monitoring large, complex multi-year capital projects related to habitat restoration and the river and floodplain environment.
  • At least 5 years of increasingly responsible experience in fisheries work applicable to the duties described in this job announcement.  Applicable experience could include research or applied work using knowledge of salmonid  behavior and ecology to support stream and river habitat assessments, habitat restoration design projects, adult or juvenile salmon collection, tagging or enumeration projects or other relevant work with salmonids that requires in-depth knowledge of pacific salmon life history strategies.
  • Thorough understanding of river and floodplain ecology, current practices and principles in river and floodplain habitat restoration, and region-wide floodplain and salmon recovery goals and strategies.
  • Experience developing, managing and providing quality assurance for consultant work products and construction contracts.
  • Ability to clearly and concisely communicate technical information both in writing and orally to a wide variety of audiences.
  • Ability to tactfully and courteously communicate with diverse groups and team members, successfully manage conflict and build consensus to achieve project/program goals.
  • Experience preparing and monitoring scopes, schedules and budgets for projects or programs using standard project management tools and templates.
  • Thorough understanding of environmental regulations and the permits necessary for work in and around rivers, streams, wetlands and other critical areas.
  • Experience working on complex projects and programs with federal, state and local agencies and tribal governments.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS: 

  • Advanced education in ecology, environmental science, river or floodplain ecology, aquatic biology, fisheries, environmental engineering, fluvial geomorphology, water resources, or closely related field relevant to habitat restoration.
  • Advanced knowledge of riverine scientific or engineering principles.
  • Experience serving as a project manager or technical lead on large, complex habitat restoration projects or programs.
  • Project management training and/or certification.
  • Knowledge of regional salmon recovery plans and strategies and the King County Flood Hazard Management Plan and programs.
  • Knowledge and experience working in river and stream, floodplain, and wetland conditions in King County.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
  • Extensive experience applying for and obtaining permits for complex projects in and around rivers, streams, wetlands and other critical areas.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position requires the ability to conduct physical site inspections and evaluation, including during inclement weather conditions.  There is often a need to walk on uneven terrain for extended periods of time.  Field conditions include brushy, forested environments; river, stream and wetland corridors; and slippery, uneven surfaces; and adverse outdoor weather conditions. Work tasks also may include in-water situations involving wading and the use of rafts or canoes.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • A valid Washington State Driver’s License is required and the willingness to travel to field and meetings sites throughout King County, adjacent counties, or other travel destinations in a safe and 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 PROTEC17

For questions about this recruitment, please contact:
Pamela Johnson, Human Resources Manager II
pamela.johnson@kingcounty.gov
206-477-4717