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Regional Wetland Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Please Note: The salary posted above does not include the additional 5% premium pay that this position will receive due to this position's location in King County.
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 Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program is looking hire a Regional Wetland Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4). The position will be located in our Northwest Regional Office (NWRO) in Bellevue, WA.
The Regional Wetland Specialist position serves as a senior-level staff wetland specialist who independently acts as a section expert in wetland science and management (ecology, delineation, regulation, mitigation, and restoration). This position, one of three (3) Wetland Specialists located in the Northwest Region, provides scientific and technical expertise to local jurisdictions, Ecology and other agency staff regarding wetlands and shorelands ecology, management, and regulation with local partners managing critical areas. The position involves project/permit review, field and library data collection and analysis, expert testimony at legal proceedings, public speaking, technical assistance and training. This position serves as the "face" and "voice" of the department of Ecology in the field and is instrumental in carrying out the agency's mission.
We are looking for applicants who are technically strong in wetland science and management, are able to work independently, and possess strong 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 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's Mission: The mission of the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program is to support community conservation efforts for our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains. 
This position primarily provides technical assistance in a couple of different forms related to management of wetlands. The main technical assistance role is in supporting local government development and implementation of Critical Areas regulations and upholding state and federal aquatic resource regulatory protections. Therefore, a fundamental expectation of this position is to develop strong working relationships with staff in local jurisdictions and to be responsive to their requests for technical assistance. The successful candidate for this position will be viewed as an authority in wetland management and assessment, assisting in determining wetland condition at a site, or serving as a third-party reviewer of a complex wetland report. Duties of the position often include review of restoration plans in response to an enforcement action or mitigation proposals intended to offset impacts from a proposed development.
Some of the key work activities for the Regional Wetland Specialist position include: 
  • Review: This position has to review a large volume of materials to first determine if engagement is within our regulatory role or agency mission.
  •  Assessment: For those proposals or situations that are determined to be within our program's scope, the wetland specialist needs to apply their expertise in assessing ecological impacts and application of appropriate management practices to a site specific situation.
  •  Communication: A key component of this work is clear communications, both written and verbal in conveying consistent feedback regarding Ecology's role/authority and recommended wetland management action.
Interesting aspects of the position:
  • Opportunity to work with a variety of local, state and federal partners on wetland management.
  • Opportunity to represent the agency as an authority in wetland management/assessment in providing input to a variety of stakeholders, consultants, local, state and federal resource management partners
  • Opportunity to be part of a committed internal agency team of wetland professionals working together to continuously improve our effectiveness in resource protection and restoration.
Challenging aspects of the position:
The position can involve dealing with complex or challenging situations on a regular basis. Also the person in this role needs to be confident working independently, they will be supported by a team of colleagues, but often have to visit sites and work through challenges independently.
About the team:
We are a very collaborative team, for which people really value working together to solve issues in a consistent manner.
Please Note: The salary posted above does not include the additional 5% premium pay that this position will receive due to this position's location in King County.
Please Note: This is a project position that is funded until December 1, 2023.
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be January 13, 2020. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before January 12, 2020 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 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;
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 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 provided a degree (minimum Bachelor's) involving a major study (as listed above) has been attained.
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.
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.
Desired Qualifications:
  • Education: Coursework leading to a Bachelor's degree or higher including ecology, botany, biology, hydrology, or soil science.   
  • Professional Certification: Willingness and ability to obtain certification from the Society of Wetland Scientists as a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS).
  • Wetland Experience: Professional experience independently performing wetland delineation, evaluation of hydrology, soil science or plant identification.                                  
  • Consulting: Makes decisions and develops options to issues having broad impact; facilitates organizational response to an issue; demonstrates understanding of global perspective and organizational development and behavior; consistently applies principles of fairness, conflict resolution, proactive intervention and negotiation, and group facilitation skills.
  • Research and investigation: Determines sources of information and methods for informational gathering and analysis; provides guidance on agency investigations; may conduct more complex or sensitive investigations.
  • Teamwork: Develops, participates with and facilitates interdisciplinary teams having region-wide, agency wide or statewide impact; demonstrates broad knowledge of the organization's authorizing environment and the team's role within that structure; advocates for positive outcomes.
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:
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.
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 Joe Burcar at: jobu461@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.