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Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Hydrogeologist 4 position at our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.
In this role, you will serve as a senior hydrogeologist responsible for groundwater resource evaluations, especially those involving land applications of wastes and resulting groundwater impacts; surface water/groundwater interactions in support of Total Maximum Daily Load Studies (TMDLs); and water-quality/quantity monitoring. This position coordinates with staff from Ecology's other Water Programs (e.g. Water Resources and Water Quality) to develop and manage statewide groundwater monitoring efforts.
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.
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. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership who embrace the value of people.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
  • An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
  • Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, and fitness classes; an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.


Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
 
Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
 
Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
 
Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
 
Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
 
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recoveryemployees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding building occupancy, mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.    
 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, the next screening date will be August 12, 2021. In order to be considered for the next screening date, please submit an application on or before August 11, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Duties


What you'll do:
  • Independently design, plan, conduct, and manage hydrogeologic projects involving the evaluation of:
  • land application of wastes and resulting groundwater impacts; 
  • surface water/groundwater interactions in support of Total Maximum Daily Load Studies (TMDLs); 
  • watershed characterization; 
  • subsurface contaminant transport; 
  • and water-quality/quantity monitoring.
  • Perform hydrogeologic analysis of project data/information.
  • Write professional technical reports for publication on the status and results of hydrogeologic issues and analysis. 
  • Provide professional recommendations regarding future study and policy or regulatory implications.
  • Lead/mentor other hydrogeologists with planning, developing, and conducting hydrogeological projects.
 
Why join the team?
  • Work with a team of talented Ecology hydrogeologists and scientists to identify and design studies to improve Washington’s groundwater monitoring programs. 
  • Engage with local, state, and federal agencies also involved in groundwater protection activities.
  • Assist in the development of legislative proposal, rules, and policies to advance Ecology's groundwater monitoring activities.


Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Option 1: A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field AND Five years of professional experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, and geologist or closely allied profession at the Hydrogeologist 2 level, higher or equivalent.

Option 2: A Master’s degree with a major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field AND Three years of professional experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, and geologist or closely allied profession at the Hydrogeologist 2 level, higher or equivalent.

Option 3: A Ph.D. with a major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field AND Two years of professional experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, and geologist or closely allied profession at the Hydrogeologist 2 level, higher or equivalent.

The experience at the Hydrogeologist 2 level can include a combination of the following: (1) Provides professional hydrogeologic review and analysis of water quality and water quantity problems. (2) Provides technical hydrogeologic assistance to other sections or programs in the department. (3) Measures streamflow. (4) Locates and maps contaminant migration in ground water, unsaturated zone and surface water. (5) Determines hydrogeologic characteristics of drainage basins, aquifers, and waste sites. (6) Performs field duties on pump tests, slug tests, aquifer tests, and tracer studies to determine hydrogeologic characteristics such as potentiometric surface, seasonal water level variability, hydraulic conductivity, storage coefficient, dispersivity, velocity and direction of ground water flow, and well interference. (7) Analyzes project data, interprets results and reports conclusions. (8) Oversees and approves various phases of project development and implementation. (9) Provides project leadership of technicians and hydrogeologic staff on field projects. (10) Provides professional implementation and enforcement of state laws and regulations. (11) Responds to inquiries from public officials and private interests. (12) Assists in drafting and administering contracts for detailed hydrogeologic investigations and well construction. (13) Assists in drilling and administering contracts for detailed hydrogeologic investigations and well construction (14) Prepares technical reports and memoranda.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
  • In addition to experience and education, this position requires possession of a valid Washington State Geologist license and either a Washington State Hydrogeologist specialty license or a Washington State Engineering Geologist specialty license.

NOTE: Individuals who are interested in applying to this position, and believe they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington based on reciprocity, are responsible for ensuring they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington prior to submitting their application materials. These requirements can be found at the following website: WA State Licensing (DOL) Official Site: How to get your license: Geologists, engineering geologists, or hydrogeologists by reciprocity.
 
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below. 
Preferred training and certification:
  • Groundwater monitoring field experience (e.g. measurement of groundwater levels, water quality sampling, installing and downloading pressure transducers, conducting aquifer tests, etc.).
  • Knowledge of and experience with ArcGIS software.
  • Experience using "R", Excel, or other software tools for scientific data analyses and presentation.
  • Experience with relational databases such as Access or SQL Server.
  • OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification.
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Supplemental Information

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

  • Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
  • 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 are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology 
Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

  • A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position
  • A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable. 
 
For Your Privacy:
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. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current 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.

Application Attestation: 

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. 

Other Information:
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Pam Marti at: Pam.Marti@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Pam to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

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.

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 your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedInTwitterFacebookInstagram or our blog.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Equal Opportunity Employer: 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.
Note: 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.