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 of the Water Quality Monitoring Specialist position include:

• Plans and implements environmental studies involving water quality measurement, biological monitoring, EM, and surface water discharge in Eastern Washington.
• Assists in installing, operating and maintaining continuous water quality sondes and water stage height telemetry systems.
• Downloads water quality sondes, data loggers and services telemetry system and/or making upgrades as required.
• Supports data management activities including proofing field sheet, entering data into database, validating data quality, and secures data from outside sources as necessary to meet agency needs.
• Assists in reviewing hydrological data and information in reports prepared by others to assure that such information is accurate and complete.
• Reviews, researches, and interprets pertinent literature, in-house files, and computer databases for specific surface water quality, groundwater quality, biological, EM, or water use projects within Eastern Washington.
• Provides field support to other EAP team members as requested, including collection of water quality samples for the North/South Central Ambient Monitoring run. This sampling effort requires three + days of field time.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in a Natural Science, hydrology, geology or closely allied field.

AND 

Two years professional research work experience in a specific specialty field such as Natural Science, hydrology, geology or closely allied field.

A Master’s degree with major study in Natural Science, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field will substitute for the experience.

Knowledge of:

• physical and natural sciences related to quantity, quality, development, and monitoring of surface water and environmental science;
• principles and practices of natural science, hydrology, geology, well and stream hydraulics, soils, geochemistry, meteorology, and related earth sciences;
• tech­niques and procedures for water sampling and biological monitoring;
• basic computer science; field surveying, mapping, instrumentation techniques
• Technical writing.

Ability to apply standard methods in determination of the following:

• surface water and biological monitoring,

• point and non-point pollution presence, extent, and migration of contaminants
• effectiveness monitoring;
• Stream flow characteristics etc.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated skill in writing clear technical reports.
• Ability to deliver oral presentations on technical subject matter.
• GIS mapping skills.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Must possess a valid license to operate a vehicle in Washington.
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

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile’s resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume” may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-6186.

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:

If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Dr. George Onwumere at: George.onwumere@ecy.wa.gov.  Please do not contact George to inquire about the status of your application.

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 position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.

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.