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Hydropower Compliance Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 4)

                
         


Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
 

Are you passionate about working to protect and restore aquatic habitat in the Inland Northwest? Are you an organized professional who wants to make a difference? If so, then join a friendly, inclusive team that shares your interests.

The Department of Ecology is recruiting for a Hydropower Compliance Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 4) in the Water Quality Program. This position manages complex hydropower related water quality projects, and acts as the primary contact between Ecology and 22 FERC hydropower license projects in the Eastern Region.

We are looking for applicants who possess excellent people skills, are interested in water quality, have a good understanding of aquatic habitat issues, and are able to communicate effectively with a diverse audience.

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, and has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov. Follow, like, or visit us on LinkedInTwitterFacebookInstagram, 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 Water Quality Program mission 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.

In order for hydropower facilities licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to operate, Washington State requires that they obtain a Clean Water Act 401 certification. These certifications protect the quality of state water, habitat, and aquatic resources. 
 

What dos this position do?

This position enacts the policies, laws, and regulations concerning hydropower and water quality requirements for the Eastern Region.

As the key contact between Ecology and hydro facilities in the Eastern Region, this position establishes and maintains working relationships with tribes, counties, cities, elected officials and the public involved in hydropower and FERC related issues. This person in this position will:
  • Prepare, review, and implement high priority hydropower Clean Water Act 401 certifications, licenses, and permits to ensure water quality and fish resource protection.
  • Represent Ecology on committees and provide technical direction associated with complex hydropower projects in order to protect water quality, fish, water quantity, and other water related resources.
  • Analyze and interpret laws, rules, internal policies, procedures and guidance documents appropriate to the Water Quality Program and licensed hydropower facilities. Provide assistance to hydropower facilities.
  • Provide eastern Washington expertise on lakes and aquatic weed management. Deliver technical assistance on a variety of lake issues including permit coverage, shoreline protection and restoration, and grant funding.
 

Why join the team?
 
  • Hydroelectric facilities in eastern Washington create specific challenges for aquatic resources. This position gets to negotiate and implement habitat improvement activities on several eastern Washington rivers.
  • We have a tremendous team that support each other and collaborate on efforts to protect water quality.

 
This position will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be on December 30, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before December 29, 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 major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND five years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
 
Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.
 
OR
 
A Master's degree in one of the above fields AND three years of professional- level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
 
OR
 
A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.    

OR
 
Two years as an Environmental Specialist 3 at the Department of Ecology.
 

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. 


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 analysis, 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.



Desired Qualifications:
 
  • Training on water quality standards.
  • Experience reviewing sampling plans, laboratory reports, scientific reports, or permit applications.
  • Experience preparing and giving public presentations of technical information, and providing assistance, guidance, training, and outreach to federal, state, tribal, and local government, businesses, industry and the public.
  • Experience in watershed planning approaches for control of water pollution sources and water cleanup plans (TMDLs) that include recommendations or implementations of cleanup measures.
  • Experience working with nonpoint source pollution control strategies.
  • Experience working on lentic ecosystem issues including, aquatic weeds.
 

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 Chad Atkins at: Chad.Atkins@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Chad 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.