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.

FORMS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED:

• Online King County Application
• Resume and cover letter
• Writing Sample (monitoring report, technical plan or study, etc.)
• Responses to Supplemental Questions

Failure to submit all required forms and materials may prohibit further consideration.

JOB SUMMARY:
These Senior Ecologist positions will be part of a team of environmental scientists collaborating with river engineers, geologists and planners in the River and Floodplain Management Section (RFMS) in the Water and Land Resources Division. These 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 .
Job Duties

• Serve as a key member of the River and Floodplain Management Section (RFMS) as a Senior Ecologist/Environmental Scientist III supporting the river and floodplain ecological body of work.
• Coordinate with design teams to 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.
• Lead effectiveness monitoring work including the development of plans, data collection, reporting, and planning and tracking budgets.
• Lead the coordination of landscape management actions during the site establishment of projects during the monitoring phase including assessing site needs, budgets, writing work orders, coordinating with site crews, and providing oversight and quality assurance.
• Coordinate within the ecological services team, with maintenance staff, and with DNRP integration work to ensure consistency in the development of the project monitoring plan and/or special studies as related to the RFM Effectiveness Monitoring Framework.
• Analyze impacts of river and floodplain management project actions on 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 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.
• 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.
• Assure regulatory compliance and act as “on-site biologist” during construction.
• Design, manage, and implement effectiveness monitoring to support projects and programs.
• Coordinate with internal King County staff from multiple disciplines and programs to work collaboratively on river and floodplain management issues.
• Manage and oversee budgets for effectiveness monitoring programs and grants.
• Present and communicate project elements and technical information effectively with managers and staff, project teams, tribal biologists and cultural resource specialists, landowners, elected officials, other jurisdictions and agencies, and WRIA citizen and technical committees and forums.
• Participate in flood warning and emergency response programs and activities.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, SkillsOur ideal candidate will have the following competencies:

• Collaborative relationship-building: can build partnerships and work collaboratively; relates openly and comfortably with diverse groups; handles conflict situations with a minimum of noise.
• Values diversity: able to recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Commitment to King County’s Equity and Social Justice initiative and cultural competence growth.
• Focus on performance: able to achieve results even under tough circumstances; holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Authentic: gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty and integrity; able to address difficult issues with candor.
• Shows resourcefulness and initiative: secures and deploys resources effectively and efficiently, able to take on challenges and opportunities with enthusiasm and energy.
• Flexible and adaptable: Can operate effectively in the absence of clarity or certainty; can adapt approach or demeanor to match shifting demands and situations; actively learns through experimentation and rebounds from setbacks or adversity.

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.
• Increasingly responsible program and project management work that is applicable to the primary job functions of this position.
• Knowledge of river and watershed ecology, including fisheries biology, geomorphology, plant ecology. Comprehensive knowledge within one or of these areas. 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 riverine 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 within rivers and floodplains.
• Obtaining federal, state, and local permits related to work within rivers and streams Federal, state, and familiarity with local environmental laws and regulations applicable to river and floodplain management projects and programs.
• Communicating scientific and technical project information to a range of audiences.
• Developing or implementing monitoring plans including study design, planning, data collection and reporting.
• Leading projects or studies; performing project management including scopes, budgets and schedules.
• Developing, analyzing, and conveying technical information, using common computer software (such as Word, Excel, GIS, etc.).
• Managing consultant work orders, contracts and/or construction management and inspection.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, other government agencies, non-profit organizations, Tribes, landowners, and consultants.

Supplemental InformationDesirable Qualifications and Experience:

Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following:

• Advanced degree in aquatic biology, ecology, fisheries, environmental science, forestry, natural resource management, or a related field.
• Professional certification in one or more of the following: ecology, wetland delineation, fisheries biology, erosion and sediment control, or other related fields relevant to the design, implementation or monitoring of rivers and floodplains.
• Experience with adult and juvenile fisheries survey or habitat assessment.
• Experience utilizing statistical packages (Python, R, etc.).
• Construction management and environmental compliance oversight in construction.
• Knowledge and experience working in King County river basins..
• 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.
• Swiftwater Rescue Training

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with occasional time spent performing field work and 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 PROTEC17, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

Work Schedule: These positions works a 40 hour work week, Monday through Friday. This position is overtime eligible.
Contact:  michelle.kobuki@kingcounty.gov or (206) 477-4740 for questions regarding this announcement.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
A supplemental questionnaire must be completed and submitted with the application. The following 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 no more than two pages.