The Water Quality program within the Department of Ecology is looking for a Senior Nonpoint Source Water Quality Specialist in our Southwest Regional Office. The location of this position is flexible, and may be in Vancouver, WA or Lacey, WA depending on where the successful candidate resides.

In this position, you will implement projects for water quality improvement initiatives including Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Alternative projects, and livestock and tillage assessments. Your area of focus with be the Lower Columbia River and Pacific Ocean watersheds.

What will you do?

• Administer water laws and policies to correct land use impacts to water quality and shellfish issues by providing technical assistance and completing compliance and enforcement actions in the Lower Columbia and Pacific Ocean watersheds.
• Respond to and investigate complex violations associated with land uses causing impacts to water quality or shellfish growing areas.
• Manage technical projects using assessment tools, including GIS and water quality data, for implementing nonpoint source strategies in priority watersheds.
• Provide scientific recommendations associated with water quality improvement initiatives.
• Develop and foster relationships with key interest groups and organizations.

Why join the team?

We are an energetic and collaborative team dedicated to the protection, restoration, and enhancement of Washington’s waters to sustain healthy watersheds for the benefit of our current and future generations.

Please note: During Stay Home, Stay Healthy, staff are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need.

Ecology is maintaining less than maximum building occupancy, and requiring masks, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.

This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of April 15, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before April 14, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

There are multiple ways to qualify for this position. See options below:

Option 1:

Nine (9) years of combined education and experience:

• 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 (see descriptions below).
• Education: Involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field

Option 2:

• Five (5) years of 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 (see descriptions below).
• A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

Option 3:

• Three (3) years of 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 (see descriptions below).
• A Master’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

Option 4:

• Two (2) years of 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 (see descriptions below).
• A Ph.D. in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field

Option 5:

• Two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 at the Department of Ecology.

More information on types of experience:

For all options, experience may include a combination of the following:

• Professional level tasks and environmental reviews related to adverse water quality impacts from various land use activities, such as:
• Investigating complex technical complaints or violations
• Responding to inquires related to land uses causing nonpoint pollution
• Providing technical assistance to landowners and the public interpreting water quality laws and regulations