King County’s Ecological Restoration and Engineering Services Unit (ERES) is seeking to fill two Environmental Scientist I Term-limited Temporary (TLT) positions (Special duty assignment, if you are an eligible King County employee).

ERES designs, permits, builds, monitors and maintains ecological restoration projects in King County’s aquatic and riparian environments to promote salmon recovery. ERES includes a multidisciplinary staff of ecologists, engineers, and geologists with experience in ecosystem assessment, restoration design, project management, permitting, construction, and monitoring. Projects range from plantings implemented through the Small Habitat Restoration Program (SHRP) to large river, stream, wetland and shoreline restoration projects. We often partner with Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crews to plant and maintain our project sites.

Duration:  This position is anticipated to end in 2024, three years from the date of hire. 

Permanent Telecommuting Requirement 
The work associated with this position will be performed remotely on a permanent basis. There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team.

Work Location: Primarily teleworking and the King Street Center 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle WA 98104

Work Schedule: This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.  This full-time position works a 40-hour work week with flexible schedule options subject to supervisory approval.

PRIMARY JOB DESCRIPTION:  We seek two resourceful, technically-skilled, and field-savvy team players who can support our staff in the design, implementation, monitoring and maintenance of our restoration projects. These individuals will support our WCC program staff and field crews, SHRP projects, Monitoring and Maintenance Program, and restoration project teams. The most successful candidates will have experience conducting field work, the ability to analyze scientific and geographical data, and the ability to apply critical thinking and effective communication skills to their daily work. In addition, they will demonstrate their ability, experience, and willingness to work with diverse populations throughout King County, in accordance with King County’s Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan.

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Provide monitoring support for restoration projects. Collect scientific data such as plant survival and native/invasive cover; aquatic habitat and instream wood surveys; bank stability; fish and wildlife presence; photo documentation; installation and monitoring of ground and surface water wells; stream turbidity/water quality monitoring during construction; LWD mobility and risk factors. Summarize findings on project performance and recommend actions.
• Assist with planning, scheduling and implementing routine maintenance including weeding, watering and supplemental planting.
• Collect and analyze geospatial data and produce graphics to present and illuminate data and conclusions, and to support projects.
• Support WCC program staff in scheduling, coordinating, record keeping, facilitating training, securing supplies, and directing crews in the implementation and maintenance of restoration projects.
• Lead small-scale SHRP projects. Prepare site analysis maps, conduct site visits, plan and coordinate with public and private property owners and community groups and organizations, develop planting plans, develop and track scope/schedule/budgets, order materials, and direct WCC crews to implement projects.
• Support capital project teams by collecting field data, assisting with wetland delineations, characterizing environmental conditions, and assisting with report and permit application preparation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree OR any equivalent education/experience in environmental science or related field that provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties described in this job announcement.
• Coursework or job experience that required biological data collection, analysis and technical report writing.
• Ability to lead and give clear direction to volunteers and restoration crews.
• Applied knowledge of restoration planting and weed control methods and the ability to teach them to others.
• Knowledge of and ability to identify native, noxious, and invasive plants of Western Washington, or the ability to learn within six months in the position.
• Experience using Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS) field equipment for environmental data collection and familiarity with Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have The Following Competencies: 

• Communicates effectively – Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Values differences – Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Optimizes work processes – Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Collaborates – Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

Desirable Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency applying geospatial technology (ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro) and LiDAR to create graphics, story maps, and other data visualizations.
• Ability to design planting plans appropriate to soil, moisture, and light conditions.
• Ability to use MS Access and SharePoint.
• Experience conducting or assisting with wetland delineations.

Necessary Requirements A valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire (King County vehicles are provided for travel to work sites), with the ability to travel throughout King County and Puget Sound as necessary. The successful candidate will be required to complete First Aid and CPR training, Swift Water Awareness Training, and obtain a WA State Pesticide Applicator’s License with an Aquatics endorsement within the first 6 months of being hired (with tuition and training time paid for by King County). The ability to conduct extensive field work in difficult conditions which may include inclement weather; walking on rough or slippery terrain, walking through thick brush or densely forested sites, working in and around streams and rivers, wading, using rafts, and carrying up to 50 lbs of field equipment for short distances.

Application and Selection Process: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application,  responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities, and answers to supplemental questions. Applicants who are unable to apply online should follow the instructions under Application Tips and FAQs at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. If you need an accommodation in the recruitment process or an alternate format of this announcement, please inquire directly with the Human Resources contact for this job announcement. Please answer ALL questions in the online employment application itself, with each of your jobs during the last 10 years listed (listing each position for each employer separately), duties explained, reasons for leaving etc. Earlier jobs should be included if they are relevant in some way to this job. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.  Final offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks.

Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position:

• King County application (include all information typically found in a resume)
• Responses to supplemental questions

Union Representation: Positions in this classification are represented by Professional & Technical Employees Local 17A (PROTEC17) Union.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Helen Hackley
Human Resources Analyst
206-477-008
hhackley@kingcounty.gov 

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State’s best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we’re changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation’s best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our “True North“, we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles–we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer 
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply 
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.