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The Department of Ecology's priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are still hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. The majority of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.  

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 Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a  Hydrogeologist 2 position at our Central Regional Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA. This position will lead the field work for the Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area ambient groundwater quality-monitoring project. This position will also direct analyses and technical services such as data collection, field measurements, and field projects involving ground water unsaturated zone and/or surface water. 

We are looking for experienced applicants with field projects involving groundwater quality measurement, who are comfortable in field, office, and public settings; who are confident, motivated, and self-directed; who enjoy data collection, evaluation, and interpretation; who have excellent written and oral communication skills and are interested in working collaboratively with others.
 
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 Environmental Assessment Program provides a range of scientific, monitoring, laboratory, and quality assurance services. Its mission is to measure, assess, and communicate environmental conditions in Washington State.
 
 Some of the key work activities for this Hydrogeologist 2 position include:
  
  • Conducts water quality monitoring projects using appropriate scientific knowledge, including project scoping, field work, quality assurance and on-going communication with the client and other stakeholders, such as conservation districts, citizens, or other government agencies.
  • Implements the environmental sampling plan, conducts sampling and data collection, follows quality assurance procedures, analyzes data and assists with data interpretation and report writing.
  • Organizes field sampling and coordinates with the laboratory to submit samples.
  • Communicates with well owners about sampling dates and results.
  • Works with well owners to maintain sampling locations throughout the duration of the study.
  • Makes recommendations to senior staff regarding new or modified sampling and analytical testing methods, best management practices, and technical operating procedures. Communicates any issues with the project manager.

This position will be part of a top-notch groundwater monitoring team dealing with highly complex environmental issues. The successful candidate will be collecting and providing credible data to support decision making on reducing groundwater nitrate pollution in the Lower Yakima Valley. This includes assisting with the Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area efforts, specifically establishing and operating the ambient groundwater quality-monitoring network. 

Would you like to help in collecting information to make better decisions about how best to protect drinking water supplies in the Lower Yakima Valley? You would be joining a fun team of scientists tasked with collecting and providing credible data to guide environmental decisions.

Yakima Valley is a beautiful area for nature lovers. It is situated in the Yakima Valley, a productive agricultural region noted for apple, wine, and hop production. As of 2011, the Yakima Valley produces 77% of all hops grown in the United States.

Please Note: This is a project position that is funded until June 30, 2023.

Qualifications
 
Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology or closely allied field.
 
 AND
 
Two year of professional experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist or closely allied profession.
 
OR
 
One year as a Hydrogeologist 1 at the Department of Ecology.
 
A Master's degree with a major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field will substitute for two years of experience. 
 
 

Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below. 

  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of hydrogeology, hydrology, and geology, well hydraulics, stream hydraulics, soils, geochemistry, meteorology, and related subjects.
  • Experience collecting groundwater and surface water samples and measuring depth to groundwater.
  • Ability to conduct field work under a variety of conditions.
  • Some experience with data analysis and data management.
  • Ability to work independently and accept direction.
  • Good communication and writing skills.
  • 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Certification and current 8-hour Annual Refresher
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool. 

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 complete the short on-line application, supplemental questions and upload:
  • Your current chronological resume; 
  • A cover letter explaining how you fit the requirements of the position;
  • Three professional references with current contact information.
Important Note: 
When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):
  • Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
  • Do not attach documents that are password protected as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 
Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable. 

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume," may disqualify you from further consideration.

It is in the candidate's best interest to submit all of the documents requested above. Applications without these documents may be declined.

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 Dr. George Onwumere at: ogeo461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact George 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.

This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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, military spouses 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.