Natural Resource Scientist 3
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 Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Natural Resource Scientist 3 position. This position is located in our Richland Field Office (RFO) in Richland, WA.
The Natural Resource Scientist 3 position completes research projects and reports that contribute to injury assessment, by contributing to resource restoration plans, and by overseeing field work in assessment or restoration.
We are looking for a scientifically-oriented individual who is comfortable working independently on both short-term assignments (1-2 weeks) and longer term projects (6 – 18 months). Ideally they would have past experience with Hanford environmental databases (e.g., HEIS) and should be proficient and finding, downloading, and organizing data sets in Excel and Access. Applicants should be able to graphically display the data sets that they develop or are assigned to evaluate and should be able to understand: toxicological information; chemical analyses of soil, water and biota; and biological data (e.g., geographic plots of species occurrence).
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
The Nuclear Waste Program's (NWP) mission is to lead the effective and efficient cleanup of the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site, ensure sound management of mixed hazardous wastes in Washington, and protect the state's air, water, and land at and adjacent to the Hanford site.
Some of the key work activities of the Natural Resource Scientist 3 position include:
Develops toxicological and other environmental studies:
- Searches on-line literature and on-line databases to find information like toxicological studies for individual contaminants for individual species.
- Tabulates research results and synthesizes summary statistics such as maximum, minimum, and mode: distinguishing between measures such as No Adverse Effect Level, Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level, and Lethal Dose-50 concentrations.
Compiles and analyzes environmental data:
- Searches Hanford databases and tabulates focused data sets such as individual contaminant concentrations by media (soil, sediment, groundwater), individual contaminant concentrations by location, and time-series data for environmental monitoring programs.
- Converts tabulated data into graphical displays. Qualifies data sets per written criteria, for acceptance into Natural Resource Injury Assessment database.
Restoration planning:
- Helps author and review plans to restore locations ranging from an acre to a square mile. Focuses on restoration metrics such as soil quality (e.g., percent organics or percent clay/sand), vegetation density before & after restoration, seed or seedling number & type per acre, and invertebrate/vertebrate density per acre.
Attends Trustee Council meetings:
- Reports status of assigned projects, presents graphical information, and responds to questions from Council.
Please note this is a project position that is scheduled to end on September 30, 2024.
This position will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be on November 4, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before November 3, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor's degree with a major study in a Natural Resource Science AND four (4) years professional level experience in environmental study, design and implementation.
A Master's degree will substitute for two (2) years and a Ph.D. degree will substitute for all of the required experience, provided the field of major study was in the specific specialty of environmental study, design and implementation.
Desired Qualifications:
A Master's degree is desirable.
Desirable experience includes:
- Assessing components of aquatic, groundwater and terrestrial environments
- Arid lands ecology.
- Familiarity with federal statutes and regulations for natural resource damage assessments and restoration.
- Working with Hanford environmental data systems.
- Working on a project with complex impacts on natural resources .
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- This position requires passing a United States Department of Energy test and acquiring a badge for access to the Hanford site.
- 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:
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 attach a resume, and cover letter that describes their interest in this position.
Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position.
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.
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 John Price at: john.price@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact John 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.