Dam Compliance Technician (Environmental Specialist 2)
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are 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, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.
The Water Resources (WR) program is looking to fill a Dam Compliance Technician (Environmental Specialist 2) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.
The Dam Compliance Technician position works in a supportive role as part of a tight knit technical team dedicated to public safety. The position assists dam owners in the State to achieve compliance with safety regulations through a variety of techniques and tools. They will also manage lots of technical data and communicate pertinent information to a variety of stakeholders.
We are looking for applicants who have excellent customer service skills, an ability to work with a variety of personalities both in the field and in the office; are logical and detail oriented; like to work with data; and can be assertive in getting others to comply with our rules.
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.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
Duties
Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment and to promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations.
Program Mission: The mission of the Water Resources program (WR) is to support sustainable water resources management to meet the present and future needs of people and the natural environment, in partnership with Washington communities.
This position, located in the Dam and Well Section of the WR Program, supports the mission by protecting public health and safety by ensuring that dams are being managed in accordance with dam safety regulations and the direction of the dam safety engineers. Under general supervision by the Dam and Well Section Manager, this position provides professional level support for compliance, data management and outreach.
Some of the key work activities of the Dam Compliance Technician position are:
Conducts Compliance Inspections and Enforcement Activities:
- In collaboration with Ecology dam engineers, conducts compliance assessments of dam conditions and operations against State dam regulations, dam permits, and Ecology inspection reports.
- Reviews engineer inspection reports to identify and track compliance issues.
- Conducts dam inspections to assess compliance and develop an understanding of dam operations and dam conditions requiring follow-up work.
- Helps dam owners achieve compliance through technical assistance, educational outreach, data tracking and analysis; telephonic and written follow-up communication, and enforcement actions.
Manages Data and Database Systems:
- In support of compliance and enforcement activities, collects and reviews dam data and information from a variety of sources including compliance inspection reports, dam owners, paper files, electronic files, other States, other dam management organizations, and the internet.
- Using established work unit practices, enters, evaluates, corrects and processes dam data and information in the Dam Safety System (DSS) database.
- Resolves data problems through research and communication with engineers and dam owners.
- Uses complex data systems (databases and spreadsheets) to retrieve information for analysis and interpretation; conducts technical research for use in regulation or policy development; and prepares oral and written reports with findings.
- Conducts professional-level, technical assessments of dam data quality and completeness.
- Assists with electronic and paper file management to include scanning, filing, reorganizing, and archiving.
Prepares and Delivers Outreach Materials:
- Helps develop outreach materials including PowerPoint presentations, graphs and figures, educational flyers, guidance documents; and Dam Safety Office website materials.
- Provides information and assistance by phone, e-mail, and in person to dam owners, engineer consultants, other government entities, the general public, and interested parties.
Assists with well construction compliance issues and well data management.
This position will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be on May 13, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before May 12, 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 natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field
AND
One (1) year of professional level experience in environmental compliance, or regulatory control.
Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year-for-year, for education.
Demonstrated ability to create and use Excel spreadsheets
Demonstrated organization skills for large data sets such as using computer database systems.
Strong analytical thinker.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience using Geographic Information Systems.
- Regulatory compliance experience with state or federal government.
- Demonstrated ability to comprehend technical documents/information and translate those for non-technical audiences.
- Experience with construction or project delivery.
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
Supplemental Information
Application Instructions:
In order to be considered, applicants MUST include the following documents as an attachment to their 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.
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 e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not 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 the supervisor, Joe Witczak at: joe.witczak@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Joe 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.