NEP Stormwater Financial Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3)
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is looking for an NEP Stormwater Financial Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3) in the Water Quality Program. This position supports the Program by providing excellent technical and financial assistance to applicants and recipients of National Estuary Program Stormwater Initiative competitive and pass-through grants for stormwater improvement projects. This position is located in our Headquarters building in Lacey, WA.
We are looking for applicants who are well organized, possess excellent people skills and the ability to work with a diverse audience while handling competing priorities. The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
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 check us out on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
Duties
The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington's waters to sustain healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures that state waters support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.
The NEP Stormwater Financial Specialist provides financial management for NEP-Stormwater Strategic Initiative pass-through grants awarded to public entities, including local governments, special purpose districts, and eligible not-for-profit organizations for the planning, design, implementation and/or construction of NEP-funded stormwater pollution control activity or facility projects. This includes:
- Providing quality assurance review of the negotiated project scope of work, budget, and special conditions to ensure grant integrity, eligibility of costs, and consistency in accordance with state and federal statues and rules, Water Quality Program Funding policies and procedures, and grant guidelines.
- Reviewing and certifying grant and loan payment requests for eligible costs in accordance with state and federal statues and rules, Water Quality Program Funding policies and procedures, and grant guidelines.
- Providing assistance to grant recipients on grant requirements, and in navigating Ecology's Administration of Grants and Loans (EAGL) system.
- Working closely with other Water Quality Program grant and loan managers, stormwater engineers, and municipal stormwater staff to provide effective and efficient management of the NEP funds.
- Providing financial technical and administrative support to the NEP Project Manager and Planners.
- Making financial assistance recommendations to the NEP Stormwater SI coordinator and planner regarding the development, coordination, and implementation of water quality best management practices involving water pollution prevention and pollution control, especially for stormwater management.
- Assisting with planning, facilitating, or representing the program in public meetings and workshops such as annual recipient training classes, and supports other program presentations as appropriate.
Please Note: This project position is funded until June 30, 2021
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The next screening will be November 12, 2019. In order to be considered for the next screening, please submit an application on or before November 11, 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 involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND two 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 year of the required experience.
OR
A Ph.D. in one of the above fields.
Desired Qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree or higher in environmental science.
- Experience working in water quality or other environmental or natural resource protection program, including policy development.
- Experience with stormwater pollution abatement projects and federal grants, including project financial management, and federal reporting requirements.
- Scientific knowledge of stormwater pollution problems and impacts to water quality, and direct familiarity with implementation of best management practices for water quality improvement and protection.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Must possess 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:
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:
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 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. 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.
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 Pat Brommer at: patricia.brommer@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Pat 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 is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
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.