There is one (1) opening for a full-time permanent Hydrogeologist 4 within the Division of Environmental Public Health – Office of Drinking Water and Office of Environmental Health and Safety. This recruitment may be used to fill other Hydrogeologist positions within the section.

To learn more about the Office of Drinking Water visit
http://www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/ProgramsandServices/EnvironmentalPublicHealth/DrinkingWater

To learn more about the Office of Environmental Health and Safety visit
http://www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/ProgramsandServices/EnvironmentalPublicHealth/EnvironmentalHealthandSafety

Agency Profile

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) works with federal, state, tribal, and local partners to help protect and improve the health of people in Washington. Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide education to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies. DOH recognizes that employees are its most valuable resource. We trust them to be innovative, challenge existing processes, and make the best decisions. We strive to hire, develop, and retain a competent and diverse workforce. To learn more about DOH, visit http://www.doh.wa.gov.

Primary Duties

The mission of the Office of Environmental Public Health (EPH) is to improve the health of people in WA state by reducing and preventing, where possible, human exposure to a variety of environmental hazards and disease pathogens associated with the treatment and disposal of wastewater, the food we eat, the schools our children attend, and the places we recreate and overnight.

The Office of Drinking Water (ODW) mission is to protect the health of the people of Washington State by assuring safe and reliable drinking water. The Wastewater Management Section (WWMS) helps ensure there is safe and effective treatment of domestic sewage in on-site sewage systems as well as safe use of water reclaimed from highly treated wastewater.  We provide assistance to utilities, owners, operators, and local health jurisdictions regarding on-site sewage issues.  We review and approve engineering plans and designs for large on-site sewage systems (LOSS), issue annual permits to all LOSS, perform LOSS compliance and enforcement activities, collaborate with Department of Ecology (ECY) to develop a health-protective reclaimed water rule and consult with ECY on public health aspects of water reclamation facilities and uses.

This position serves as the statewide hydrogeology and soils technical expert for the department’s wastewater management section and the technical expert on complex multi-agency environmental and water policies and how they affect safe and reliable drinking water. The position provides technical direction, evaluation, and consultation on soils and hydrogeology issues associated with drinking water sources and the siting, design, and use of on-site sewage systems and reclaimed water facilities. The position evaluates sites, plans, monitoring data, and technical studies for large on-site sewage systems. The position provides technical direction and advice on program regulations, policies, guidelines, and legislative proposals for drinking water and wastewater management. The position provides technical support to local health jurisdictions for small on-site systems and water systems. The position also assists and provides training to public health professionals and other interests, and represents the department in forums involving soils, hydrogeology, water quality, drinking water, and subsurface treatment, disposal, or reuse of wastewater.

Required Qualifications
NOTE:  Experience may have been gained concurrently.

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Soil Science, Geology or a closely allied field; AND five (5) or more years of professional experience as a Hydrogeologist, Hydrologist, Soil Scientist, Geologist, or closely allied profession at the Hydrogeologist 2 level or higher, or equivalent.

OR

• A Master’s degree or higher in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Soil Science, Geology or a closely allied field; AND three (3) or more years of professional experience as a Hydrogeologist, Hydrologist, Soil Scientist, Geologist, or closely allied profession at the Hydrogeologist 2 level or higher, or equivalent.

OR

• A Ph.D. degree in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Soil Science, Geology or a closely allied field; AND two (2) or more years of professional experience as a Hydrogeologist, Hydrologist, Soil Scientist, Geologist, or closely allied profession at the Hydrogeologist 2 level or higher, or equivalent.

AND

• A valid Washington State Hydrogeologist license.

Desired Qualifications
NOTE:  Experience may have been gained concurrently.

• Certified professional soil scientist (CPSS) by the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA).

• Experience working with on-site sewage systems, public health, water quality, drinking water, and/or wastewater treatment.

• Knowledge of drinking water laws, rules, programs, and issues.

• Expert knowledge of water resources issues in Washington state, including water law, rules, and policies.

• Demonstrated experience applying negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions

 With or without an accommodation, I am:

• Willing and able to work indoors, at a desk/workstation the majority of a work day, in an open office environment with possible conversation and other noise distractions.

• Willing and able to work in a tobacco, drug, and alcohol free environment.

• Willing and able to occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and/or to adjust normally scheduled hours, which may include evening and weekends, to meet program needs and critical deadlines.

• Willing and able to occasionally travel throughout the state and nationwide which may include overnight stays, as required, while performing the duties of this position.

• Willing and able to work in a fast-paced/stressful environment with multiple priorities and competing deadlines.

• Willing and able to legally operate a state or privately owned vehicle OR provide alternative transportation which includes traveling in daylight and at night, in snowy and rainy conditions.

• Willing and able to travel by plane, particularly between Seattle and Spokane.

• Willing and able to interact and work with customers, some of whom may be frustrated or distressed in a positive, friendly and supportive manner that meets the needs and standards of the office and the agency.

• Willing and able to periodically work outside in rough terrain and in a variety of weather conditions.

• Willing and able to travel through difficult terrain while carrying/moving supplies and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.

• Willing and able to follow safety rules and use proper equipment when working in the field on sites with soil pits, wells, trenches, digging/drilling equipment, and/or similar hazards.

• Willing and able to maintain confidentiality regarding information accessed or discussed while performing the duties of the position.
Note:  This position is covered by an “Agency Shop” provision.  Therefore, as a condition of employment, the incumbent of this position must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representational or other fee within 30 days of the date you are placed into pay status.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is an equal opportunity employer.  DOH strives to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful.  It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of our workforce. Applicants wishing assistance or alternative formats in the process should contact Skyler Jones at (360) 236-4408, Skyler.Jones@doh.wa.gov , or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 7-1-1.

Application Process

Individuals interested in applying for this position should select the “Apply” button and submit the following:

1. A current detailed applicant profile; AND attach your detailed Letter of Interest that addresses the “Required and Desired Qualifications” (as listed above) and Resume to your profile.
2. Three (3) or more professional references, to be included in your profile.  Please include at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised other staff) a subordinate.
3. Responses to the Supplemental Questions.

Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process and Supplemental Questions in-full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.

NOTE:  Education and experience selected, listed and/or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the detailed applicant profile submitted.