Website link here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2768619/senior-surface-water-hydrologist-hydrogeologist-3

Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, and has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology may be a good fit.

The Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Senior Surface Water Hydrologist (Hydrogeologist 3) position at our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.

This Senior Surface Water Hydrologist position serves as a senior level Hydrologist in the Freshwater Monitoring Unit, helping the unit monitor and report freshwater surface water quality across Washington State. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a great group of people and help guide the Freshwater Ambient Monitoring efforts in the great state of Washington.

We are looking for an individual who likes to work in a challenging environment on complex Freshwater monitoring issues and appreciates facing new challenges on a regular basis. The ideal candidate will be part of a dynamic team that enjoys doing their part to protect the rivers and streams of Washington and has fun doing it.

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.

This position supports the mission by serving as a technical expert, coordinating the measurement and assessment of water quality at select ambient monitoring locations throughout Washington State. This position provides end of current water year (September 1- October 30) senior- level quality assurance reviews to all aspects of the Freshwater Monitoring Unit River and stream water quality activities. These reviews not only include an overall evaluation of the basic data sets but also cover the general hydrology used to interpret the data. This position also mentors other members of the FMU in various aspects of operation and maintenance of various continuous water quality measurement equipment.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Duties

The Environmental Assessment Program provides a range of scientific, monitoring, laboratory, and quality assurance services. Its mission is to measure, assess and communicate environmental conditions in Washington State.

Some of the key work activities for this Senior Surface Water Hydrologist position include:

• Serves as the main contact for water quality monitoring of freshwater rivers and streams.
• Uses independent professional judgment to evaluate the technical operation of FMU Continuous water quality gaging network.
• Independently designs, organizes, and conducts continuous temperature monitoring programs that support evaluation of impacts to water quality and assists in revising criteria and TMDL model development.
• Conducts high priority projects at the request of regional offices or headquarters programs. Publishes technical reports for projects and summary reports for long-term monitoring programs.
• Mentors other team members in the FMU in various aspects of operation and maintenance of various continuous water quality measurement equipment and quality assurance/quality control reviews of the resulting data.

As our community responds to the public health emergency, the Department of Ecology’s priority is to keep our staff, candidates and the public safe. We are experiencing some delays as we transition to a virtual recruitment process. Thank you for your patience and we will be in touch as soon as we are able. We encourage you to apply to open postings. 

This recruitment will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of May 15, 2020. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before May 14, 2020. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Special Note – Significant overnight travel and fieldwork is required.  Time away from the office can sometimes exceed 20% of the scheduled work week.

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

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in hydrology, biology, or closely allied field AND three (3) years of professional experience as a hydrologist, biologist or closely allied profession.

OR

A Master’s degree with major study in hydrology, biology AND one (1) year of professional experience as a hydrologist, biologist or closely allied profession.

OR

A Ph.D. involving major study in hydrology, biology, or closely allied field.

OR

One (1) year as a Hydrogeologist 2 at the Department of Ecology.

Desired Qualifications:

Special Knowledge/Skills: Freshwater chemistry, computer programming, statistical sampling design, and database management. Ability to: reason logically, draw valid conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations; gather and analyze data; participate in conferences and interviews; speak and write effectively; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Examples of specialized experience desired with independent responsibility to implement or mentor other concerning the following activities:

• Install, operate and maintain continuous stream gaging and water quality monitoring equipment
• Field and lab cleaning, calibration and servicing of data telemetry, and continuous water quality data collection systems.
• Collecting discrete water quality samples used to determine the uncertainty associated with the bio-fouling and calibration drift of deployed continuous water quality data instruments.
• Review continuous water quality data for completeness and overall quality.

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.