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Cost Reimbursement and Contracts Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)

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

The Water Resources program (WR) is looking to fill a Cost Reimbursement and Contracts Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) position. The position will be located in our Central Regional Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.

The Cost Reimbursement and Contracts Specialist position serves as the senior environmental section specialist for the development and implementation of cost-reimbursement projects and grant funding opportunities in the region and identifies initiatives that prioritize synergy between water resources, stream flows, and fish habitat management issues. The position also serves to lead and organize large scale water rights permitting efforts in Central Washington. Serves on the Central Regional Water Management Team to identify and address priorities that are of critical regional and agency interest. This position coordinates consistent permitting efforts between core permitting work, Trust water/acquisitions, and Conservancy Board reviews.

We are looking for experienced applicants with strong organizational skills, excellent communication, and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.

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. Maybe you've seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at: www.ecology.wa.gov. 

 Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
  
Duties
 
The mission of the Water Resources program (WR) is to manage water resources to meet the current and future needs of the natural environment and Washington's communities.

Some of the key work activities of the Cost Reimbursement and Contracts Specialist position are:

Cost Reimbursement Coordination: 
  • Serves as the senior environmental section specialist for Cost Reimbursement and contracting.
  • Provides technical assistance and project management to external stakeholders for cost reimbursement projects including review of contractor work product and invoicing, management of schedules and budgets, and reporting to management regarding project progress. 
  • Makes recommendations relating to water right decisions and serves as a witness before the Pollution Control Hearings Board or County Superior Court to defend Department decisions related to this work.
 
Coordination of Central Regional Permitting Activities: 
  • Identifies large scale permitting focus for the region.
  • Develops implementation plans for integrating the work of the Permitting and Technical Units, and ensures consistency/quality control in the section's permitting work.
  • Represents the section at technical assistance meetings and reports project updates to the section manager and unit supervisors.
  • Drafts reports and templates for use by staff and operates in a mentorship role to review reports made by junior staff related to these permitting efforts.
 
Grant Management: 
  • Serves as project officer for grants issued by the Water Resource Program in CRO. 
  • Coordinates closely with other programs, including the Office of Columbia River and Water Quality, to deliver efficient and integrated grant services to our customers. 
  • May serve as project officer for Coastal Protection Fund/Terry Husseman Account grants if there is a notable Water Resources connection. 
  • Coordinates and tracks grant activity in the region and reports to the Water Regional Management Team (WRMT). 
  • Prepares and distributes grant requests for WRMT review and coordinate grant rating by that group.
 
Program Liaison: 
  • Acts as a liaison between Ecology programs so that water resource activities are aligned and coordinated. 
  • Participates in WRMT meetings and attends other necessary meetings as staff support. 
  • Ensures that program staff are informed of current permitting activities.
 
Stream Flow Protection and Enhancement:
  • Supports watershed efforts to protect and enhance stream flows. Assists watershed planning groups in developing science-based stream flow management approaches that serve both in-stream and out of stream needs.
  • Supports salmon recovery groups in stream flow/water quantity planning.
  • In collaboration with the Water Resources Program - Policy & Planning Section staff, is responsible for instream flow rule writing and/or implementation of Minimum In-Stream Flows or other stream flow management tools, as identified through WRP program annual goals and planning. 
  • Participates in instream flow policy and technical discussions. Provides updates to the Water Resources Program on instream flow activities, objectives, and outcomes.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be April 16, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before April 15, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Qualifications
 
Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND five (5) years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.

OR 

A Master's degree in one of the above fields AND three (3) years of professional - level experience as required above which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.

OR 

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two (2) years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.

OR 

Two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 at the Washington State Department of Ecology.
 
The experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 can include a combination of the following: 1) investigating and / or resolving complaints involving science or technology content, 2) performing inspections, 3) drafting technical evaluations and reports, 4) develops plans for researching information used for technical projects, regulatory or policy development, 5) plan and facilitate public meetings and hearings, 6) project work requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 7) providing technical assistance for complex scientific content and/ or support for implementing scientific content programs, 8) conducting tests, analyzing and evaluating data, 9) using environmental databases to support technical projects, 10) developing scientific studies and resource management plans, 11) providing environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.

The experience as an Environmental Specialist 2 can include assisting in any of the following areas: 1) performing field surveys or studies, 2) responding to complaints involving scientific or technical content, 3) preparing public meetings and hearings, 4) assistance with routine inspections or investigations requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 5) responding to routine inquires or requests for technical assistance involving scientific content, 6) special projects that are scientific in nature, 7) conducting routine sampling and testing analyses, interprets data, writing reports 8) performing basic sampling data review, 9) maintaining an environmental data base to support technical projects, 10) providing routine environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.
 
 
Desired Qualifications:

Two (2) years of significant contract/grant management and project management experience.


Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Must obtain and maintain a valid driver license.

 
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:
 

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

 
Supplemental Information
Application Instructions:
 
In order to be considered, applicants MUST attach the following documents as an attachment to their application:
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required/desired qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience.

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 Trevor Hutton at: trevor.hutton@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Trevor 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.