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BEACH Program Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 4)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a BEACH Program Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 4) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
 
In this role, you will be responsible for coordinating and leading the EPA-funded Washington State Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication, and Health (BEACH) Program. You will gain experience in implementing and maintaining a multi-year surface water monitoring program that evaluates bacterial impacts to marine swimming beaches. Responsibilities include managing budgets and contracts, leading and mentoring professional project staff, training volunteers on appropriate technical methods, writing technical documents, working with news media, conducting outreach, working with local health departments, and ensuring monitoring bacteria and notification of water quality problems follow proper procedures. We are looking for applicants who have a highly effective communication style, excellent attention to detail, possess the ability to work both independently and as a team, and excellent organizational skills.

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. 
 
Please Note: This is a project position that is limited in duration, the funding is available through November 30, 2022. The Funding for this position has a high probability of being renewed for the next bi-annual budget.

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 that embraces 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, fitness classes, and 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 Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. At the present time, this position is not required to work a set number of days in the office. It is expected that this position will work both remotely as well in the office and at our Operations Center as determined by business needs and agreed up schedule. During the field season (May-September), staff are required to conduct one or two days of field work per week. 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, with an initial screening date of February 10, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before February 09, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Duties

What makes this role unique? 
The Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication, and Health (BEACH) Program is a state-administered and locally implemented program designed to monitor high-use/high-risk saltwater swimming beaches for fecal bacteria contamination. Monitoring is conducted by coordinating with local health departments, tribal governments, and volunteer groups. The program notifies the public when a risk of disease is identified through bacteria indicator water quality monitoring.
 
What you will do: 

  • Manage the Washington BEACH Program with guidance from the Inter-Agency BEACH Committee including designing, implementing and maintaining the multi-year surface water monitoring program to evaluate bacterial impacts to marine swimming beaches.
  • Ensure all grant requirements are being met. Among other grant requirements, this position must apply for the annual EPA grant each year, manage the program budget, write and manage contracts with local entities, ensure data manager submits data to EPA by deadline, and write the annual report to EPA each year.
  • Coordinate the implementation and evolution of the Program with EPA. 
  • Write Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) for statewide monitoring of marine beaches and develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Lead and mentor other professional staff assigned to the project which includes training on appropriate technical methods.
  • Hold an annual inter-agency committee meeting, work with the news media, and ensure that monitoring of bacteria and notification of water quality problems follows proper procedures.
  • As the lead author, prepare the draft and final project reports for internal and external audiences.
  • Coordinate and compile weekly incoming bacterial data and submit data annually to the EPA. Work in conjunction with IT and BEACH staff to maintain the database. 


Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
A total of Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:
  • Professional level Experience in: environmental analysis or control. 
  • Education: involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences or other allied science field.

Experience may include but not be limited to a combination of the following:
 
  • Investigating environmental complaints or violations.
  • Field sampling activities or participating in contaminated site remediation activities.
  • Implementing best management practices to protect environmental quality.
  • Performing inspections or field investigations.
  • Planning, developing, conducting data collection, data management, and analyzing the results.
  • Providing technical assistance to the public and businesses on compliance with environmental regulations.
 
See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position:
 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

Must have a valid driver’s license.
 
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
  • Experience coordinating and leading large groups with diverse backgrounds and priorities.
  • Experience managing and administering multiple grants, contracts and budgets.
  • Experience advising management on critical and emerging issues and recommend actions to prevent and correct public health concerns.
  • Have knowledge of field sampling, testing, data gathering, and basic research.
  • Have knowledge of federal, state, and local water quality related laws, and programs.

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 on 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.
  • Three professional references.

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 Julianne Ruffner at: julianne.ruffner@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Julianne 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 LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram 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.