SummaryKing County’s Ecological Restoration and Engineering Services Unit is currently seeking highly qualified candidates for the position of Environmental Scientist II. The Ecological Restoration and Engineering Services Unit (ERES) designs, permits, implements and monitors ecological restoration projects in King County’s aquatic and riparian environments to promote salmon recovery. ERES has a multidisciplinary staff of ecologists, engineers, geologists and project managers with experience in ecosystem assessment, project conception and design, regulatory management, construction procurement and supervision, and project effectiveness monitoring.

We are looking for a resourceful, technically-skilled, and field-savvy team player who can support our multi-disciplinary teams to advance high priority habitat restoration and mitigation work. The ideal candidate is someone who can apply their knowledge of Pacific salmon biology, river and floodplain processes, and current science to inform innovative salmon habitat restoration designs.  Additionally, the most successful candidates will have a demonstrated ability to communicate scientific findings into verbal and written communications, work well with diverse teams, and collaborate effectively with internal and external partners. For more information about the Ecological Restoration and Engineering Services Unit, please visit our website at www.kingcounty.gov/eres.

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified applicants.

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, men, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.  We are committed to being equitable and fair in providing equal access to opportunities for all.

WORK LOCATION:  King Street Center-201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104.

REQUIRED MATERIALS TO APPLY: Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.

• King County application
• Resume
• Cover Letter detailing your background and describing how your education and experience meets the qualifications and has prepared you to perform the essential functions of the job (please limit to no more than two pages)
• Response to supplemental questions

WORK SCHEDULE: This is an hourly position that is governed by the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime pay eligible or compensatory time accrual with prior approval. This is a 40-hour per week position, with flexible schedule options subject to approval.  Attendance at evening and weekend events is occasionally required.Job Duties

• Provide support to capital project teams in the planning, design, permitting and implementation of habitat restoration and mitigation projects.
• Organize and conduct field surveys including fisheries surveys, stream/river assessments, wetland delineations and wood and vegetation surveys.
• Provide technical input to capital project design teams in the area of fish behavior and ecology to ensure salmon recovery project objectives are met.  This requires a deep understanding of the diverse life history strategies of salmonids in the Puget Sound lowland rivers and streams.
• Analyze data and present results in presentations and reports for various technical and non-technical audiences.  Prepare date summaries, memos, technical reports and permit application documents, including critical areas reports, wetland delineation reports and monitoring reports.
• Provide support to capital project teams through construction inspections, surveys, planting and monitoring.
• Analyze, organize and manipulate spatial data and maps, shapefiles and geodatabases in ArcGIS.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, SkillsThe successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Collaborate – Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others from diverse backgrounds to meet shared objectives.
• Optimizes work process – Works to find the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates self-awareness – Uses a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight into personal strengths and weaknesses.
• Knowledge of equity and social justice principles – Ability to consider equity and social justice principles in the workplace and in the execution of work, and approach relationships in a culturally appropriate manner.

Competitive candidates will have:

• Bachelor’s of Science in fisheries, river or floodplain ecology, aquatic biology, ecology, geomorphology or a related field (and/or equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties described in this job announcement) and at least three years of increasingly responsible work experience that is applicable to the primary job duties of this position.
• Strong working knowledge of wetland, fish, stream, river and/or floodplain ecology in the Puget Sound lowlands.
• Demonstrated experience leading fish, river, or stream surveys.
• Knowledge of aquatic and terrestrial monitoring techniques and approaches and the ability to lead monitoring studies.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographical Information Systems (e.g., ArcGIS).
• Skill in reading and interpreting engineering plans, specifications, drawings, and technical maps and documents.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting data using Excel or statistical software.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms.
• Resourceful, with demonstrated ability to grasp issues quickly, take initiative, and operate independently and as a member of a team to accomplish objectives.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

• Wetland delineation experience or Professional Wetland Scientist certification.
• Strong working knowledge of construction and restoration techniques and theory and the ability to apply the in the field.

Supplemental InformationPhysical  Requirements:

• Ability to conduct extensive field work in occasionally difficult conditions which includes: walking on uneven and slippery surfaces, walking through thick brush or densely forested sites, working in and around streams and rivers, snorkeling, wading, and using rafts, and carrying up to 50 lbs of field equipment for short distances.
• Long hours and weekend work are occasionally needed for field work or construction support. This work is sometimes carried out in inclement weather conditions.

Necessary Special Requirements: 

• A valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to travel throughout King County and Puget Sound as necessary.
• The successful candidate will be required to complete First Aid and CPR training, Swift Water Awareness Training and other safety training deemed necessary for employee safety within the first 6 months of being hired.

SELECTION PROCESS: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Reference checks will be conducted before the final offer of employment.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: Positions in this classification are represented by Professional & Technical Employees Local 17A (PROTEC17) union.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: 
Calvin Rivers
Human Resources Senior Analyst
Email: crivers@kingcounty.gov
Phone: 206-263-1986

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE:
The following questions must be completed and submitted with the application.  The following questions address important elements of this position and the information you provide will help to determine your eligibility for further consideration.  Please limit your response to no more than a page.

Note: Online applications are preferred. However, if you cannot apply online, go to www.kingcounty.gov/jobs for other options.
If you need an accommodation in the recruitment process or an alternate format of this announcement, please inquire directly with the contact listed on the job announcement or the department’s Human Resources Service Delivery Manager.