You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

Permit Writer/Manager - Quincy Ground Water (Environmental Specialist 3)(In-Training)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
 
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. If you want to join a highly effective, collaborative team in exciting work dedicated to managing a sustainable water supply in Central Washington, this may be the position for you.

The Water Resources (WR) program is currently looking to fill a Permit Writer/Manager-Quincy Ground Water Management Subarea (Environmental Specialist 3)(In-Training) position. This position will be located in our Eastern Regional Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.

The Permit Writer/Manager-Quincy Ground Water Management Subarea position serves as a staff permit writer with a customer service focus. The position performs the following tasks: Management of water rights and investigation of water right applications and applications for changes to water rights. The primary responsibility of this permit writer/manager position is to manage applications and permits for Artificially Stored Ground Water (ASGW) in support of Ecology's role in the ongoing effort to regulate the Quincy Ground Water Management Subarea (QGWMS). It requires extensive knowledge of the Washington State water code and an ability to interpret WACs 173-134A and 173-136 to water right applicants and other interested parties statewide.  

We are seeking applicants who are team players, have knowledge of water law & regulations and has the ability to be collaborative and partnership building.
  
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 TwitterFacebookInstagram 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 (WR) program 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 at the Environmental Specialist 3 level are: 
  • Develops permit decisions and tracks the amount of water available for appropriation from the Quincy Basin ASGW program as authorized in WACs 173-134A and 173-136. 
  • In consultation with the lead permit manager or watermaster for the basin: plans researches, collects, analyzes, and interprets technical field and water rights data pertinent to applications for new water rights and applications for changes to existing water rights.
  • Prepares maps in GIS for assigned projects. 
  • Uses sound judgment in making decisions. 
  • Reviews applications for technical accuracy; mitigates conflicts when resolution is possible. Coordinates the QGWMS technical committee composed of state and federal staff that reviews applications and permits for both ASGW and naturally occurring groundwater for compliance with applicable state and federal requirements.
  • Manages existing water rights authorizations. 
  • Works under general direction and receives the assistance of lead permit writer or watermaster to review requests for extension, administrative splits and assignments.
  • Maintains files incorporating field notes, updating progress sheets and under the guidance of the regional public disclosure coordinator identifies potentially public disclosure exempt materials. 
  • Tracks project development – ensures permits are in compliance with development schedules and works to bring permittees into compliance with applicable federal and state requirements.
  • With general supervision, and guidance of senior staff, investigates complaints received by Ecology.   
  • Responds to telephone, office and field contacts, and written inquires on water rights, the water right process and water law. 
  • Participates and represents Ecology at public workshops and hearings related to agency programs. 
  • Assists the Washington State attorney General's office in case preparation by developing factual data and exhibits to support Ecology's permitting decisions regarding water right applications. 
  • Testifies before the Pollution Control Hearing Board.  
 
 
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be April 25, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before April 24, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

The goal class for this position is an Environmental Specialist 3 (ES3). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Environmental Specialist 1, 2 and 3 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the ES1 or ES2 levels then they will be hired in at one of those levels and will be placed into a training program to become an ES3 within a specified period of time.
 
 
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

To qualify at the Environmental Specialist 1 level (pay range 38- $2827-$3664):

A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field. 

Experience at or above the Environmental Technician level or equivalent will substitute, year for year, for education. 
 
To qualify at the Environmental Specialist 2 level (pay range 45- $3332-$4361):

A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND one (1) year of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning. 

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

OR       
                 
One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 1 at the Washington State Department of Ecology.

OR  

A Master's degree in one of the above fields.
 
To qualify at the Environmental Specialist 3 level (pay range 49- $3664-$4809):

A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND two (2) years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning. 

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

A Master's degree in one of the above fields will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.   

OR 
A Ph.D. in one of the above fields. 
 
OR 

One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2 at the Washington State Department of Ecology.
 

Desired Qualifications:
  • Strong interpersonal and problem solving skills.
  • Excellent oral and written communications skills.
  • Must be capable of performing field work, working efficiently, effectively, and independently, in a timely manner. 
  • Extensive knowledge of statutes and regulations that comprise Washington's water code. 
  • Strong negotiation skills. 
  • Collaborative partnership building. 
  • Knowledge of water measuring techniques and equipment use. 
  • Experience with legal proceedings and procedures. 
  • Training and experience using GIS software. 
  • Ability to understand and map legal descriptions.   
 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Requires a valid driver's 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:
 
Please include the following documents as an attachment to your application:
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required 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 Dan Tolleson at: Dan.tolleson@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Dan 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.