The Department of Ecology is looking for a Water Quality Monitoring and Data Analysis Specialist in our Water Quality Program. This position is located at our Southwest Regional Office in Lacey, WA.

We are looking for applicants who possess water quality monitoring and data analysis skills, the ability to design studies to study water quality problems, and the ability to engage with stakeholders on the results of their projects.

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. Follow, like, or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or our blog.

Duties

Agency Mission:  Ecology’s mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment and to promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations.

Program Mission: The Water Quality Program mission 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.

What does this position do?

This position is the Southwest Regional Water Quality Program senior environmental section specialist on water quality monitoring, scientific field studies, and data analysis. This position:

• Independently conducts environmental assessments to determine which water bodies are being successfully improved, and which will still need additional cleanup work.
• Serves as the section’s technical resource for water quality monitoring of TMDL efforts. Uses knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of environmental sampling, testing, data gathering, basic research, and field investigations to provide technical assistance and recommendations to TMDL staff.
• Conducts all aspects of project administration on TMDL-related water quality monitoring projects. Provides environmental technical assistance on high-priority environmental issues requiring technical expertise such as monitoring and data analysis.
• Conducts special regional scientific field studies consisting of sampling, data gathering, field investigations, field surveys, data analysis, and report writing in order to determine effectiveness of TMDL implementation and guide future water quality improvement efforts.
• Teaches, trains, and/or mentors Ecology and local government staff on proper water quality monitoring techniques.

This position is open until filled, with the initial screening on January 14, 2020. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before January 13, 2020. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.

Required Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree involving 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, control, or 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.

OR

Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 at the Department of Ecology.

NOTE: One year of experience must include collecting and analyzing field data for water quality studies.

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 analyses, 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.

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.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience designing water quality monitoring studies, conducting scientific field studies, and analyzing water quality data.
• Experience building relationships with stakeholders.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment

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