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NonPoint Project Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)





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 Water Quality program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a CWSRF NonPoint Project Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) position. 

This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.


Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.


 Do you want to solve real-world water quality problems? Do you have real property acquisition experience? Do you have experience in planning, designing, constructing, or maintaining non-point pollution control projects? The Non-point project team members work in partnership with Tribes, local governments, non-profits, and conservation districts to fund and implement an array of non-point pollution abatement projects, such as stream restoration, agricultural best management practice, and land-conservation acquisition projects. The Water Quality Combined funding program prioritizes projects across the state to receive water quality funds and ensures that each funding recipient complies with state and federal funding guidelines. As a Non-point Project Specialist, you will develop relationships with Tribal and local governments, conservation District and local non-profit staff, and provide guidance as they develop project proposals and manage funded projects.
 

The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington's waters to support healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures state waters can support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.   

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position is not currently required to work in the office on a regular basis. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. Looking ahead, Ecology has recently updated the agency policies on telework and flexible and compressed work schedules. Applicants with questions about position location options, telework, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” 
 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of November 7, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before November 6, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.


About the Department of Ecology
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.

Our commitment to DEIR
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. 

 
Duties

What makes this role unique? 
This role has the opportunity to collaborate with, and learn from, a dynamic team of environmental professionals to review, manage and assess non-point pollution improvement projects that will benefit water quality in Washington state. The type of projects are implemented across the state for low-land stream restoration, surface water quality protection, agriculture best management practices, and protection of groundwater, aquifer, wellhead Planning and Implementation. Overseeing complex real property acquisitions aimed towards conservation and preservation land practices is an important part of this position. This role also participates in planning efforts for Ecology's Water Quality Combined financial assistance program and will provide direct assistance to funding recipients to ensure that projects statewide provide the maximum water quality value.
 
What you will do: 
  • Coordinate with Tribal government, local government, Conservation Districts, and Non-profit project managers to monitor project progress on Ecology-funded non-point pollution water quality improvement projects. This includes review of quarterly reports, payment requests, and project deliverables and performing site visits.
  • Solicit and coordinate input from internal project management teams to provide oversight for funded projects. Ensure that funded projects maintain compliance with funding agreement terms, funding program guidelines, agency policy, and state and federal funding program requirements. 
  • Proactively identify issues with project scope, schedules, or budgets that could affect project implementation. 
  • Participate in the review of new project applications and provide recommendations for funding individual projects. Identify cross-program coordination needs for individual projects.
  • Negotiate and write new funding agreements. Incorporate input from project evaluators, Ecology engineers, financial management staff, and other Ecology subject matter experts during the agreement negotiation process and throughout the life of the project. 
  • Assist senior-level planner with real property acquisition projects.
  • Work within a team environment to identify emerging issues that influence non-point project prioritization. Seek out resources and training as needed to develop expertise in these areas and provide training and technical assistance to teammates, and internal and external stakeholders.



Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.
Option 1:
Nine (9) years of education / experience in professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.
Option 2:
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.
Option 3:
A Master's degree in one of the above fields
AND
Three years of professional-level experience as required above.
Option 4:
A Ph.D. in one of the above fields
AND 
Two years of professional-level experience as required above.
Option 5:
Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 at the Department of Ecology.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:

Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degreeYears of required experienceCombination 1No college credit hours or degree9 years of experienceCombination 230-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.8 years of experience
Combination 360-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).7 years of experience
Combination 490-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.6 years of experience
Combination 5 A Bachelor's Degree5 years of experience
Combination 6 A Master's Degree3 years of experience
Combination 7A PhD2 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 and experience in best management practices for non-point source pollution abatement and water quality improvement projects
  • Knowledge and experience in land acquisitions. Specifically for conservation and water quality protection.
  • Knowledge of EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving loan program.

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 (such as 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 Patricia Brommer at: Patricia.Brommer@ecy.wa.govPlease do not contact Patricia 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.