Please see the following website for application link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2546732/skagit-nonpoint-water-quality-specialist-environmental-specialist-4
Description 
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is recruiting for a Skagit Nonpoint Water Quality Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) in the Water Quality Program. This position is responsible for administering nonpoint source water quality laws with a focus on protecting the southern resident Orca population, including protecting and restoring Chinook salmon and reducing toxic contaminants in their food web. This position is located in our Northwest Regional Office in Bellevue, WA.
We are looking for applicants who are excited about applying their excellent communication skills and a passion for technical work to find and fix water pollution problems in the Skagit Watershed. The Skagit Watershed experiences high bacteria levels and high temperature levels. Qualified applicants will be working with a diverse community of agricultural producers, rural landowners, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and tribal partners to promote riparian planting projects, install best management practices on private properties, and conduct studies aimed at achieving these goals.
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.
Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts
Duties
This position is a senior environmental specialist in the Northwest region and is responsible for applying advanced knowledge on the implementation of water quality improvement initiatives in the Skagit River watershed. These efforts will be focused on protecting southern resident Orca, supporting salmon recovery, and improving water quality related to shellfish production and other beneficial uses. This work includes:
- Investigating and resolving nonpoint water quality issues, both proactively and in response to complaints and referrals.
- Using multiple implementation tools including basin-specific education and outreach, coordination internally and with basin stakeholders, field and office research on where best management practices are needed, and other tools to address nonpoint pollution.
- Assessing site-specific conditions, communicating and documenting findings, and determining the best approach for working with landowners and other local stakeholders to correct nonpoint pollution problems.
- Coordinating with the Ecology’s Skagit River Water Cleanup Specialist and other Ecology staff to promote nonpoint pollution correction activities that implement the Lower Skagit River Tributaries Temperature TMDL and other Skagit Watershed water cleanup efforts.
- Coordinating multi-party outreach efforts with other agency staff and managers as well as external partners to ensure durable and consistent outreach messages and procedures.
This position will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be on September 10, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 9, 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 a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning 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 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.
OR
A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two 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.
OR
Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 at the Department of Ecology.
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:
- GIS experience or certification.
- Mediation training.
- Water quality sampling experience or training.
- Laboratory experience.
- Agricultural experience.
- Agriculture-related degree.
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.
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.