Salary: $51,888.00 – $85,020.00 Annually
Location: Skagit County – Sedro Woolley, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-5-7385-06776
Department: Dept. of Natural Resources
Opening Date: 05/19/2023
Closing Date: 6/12/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Review of applications is ongoing. The hiring authority reserves the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after June 1, 2023. It is in the applicant’s best interest to submit material as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Do you have a passion for geomorphology and engineering geology? Are you fascinated by landslides and the interactions between timber harvest, forest roads, slope stability, and stream flows? Do you want to work outside in Washington’s forests? Come work with a team of multidisciplinary natural resource specialists to support sustainable forest management in Washington!

The Forest Resources Division is currently recruiting for an engineering geologist to provide scientific and technical expertise in the fields of geomorphology, hydrology, and geology to support State Trust Land management. The position provides consulting services to foresters, engineers, recreation specialists, and managers as a part of the Department’s timber sales program. In the geologic consultation role, this position is responsible for conducting landslide risk analyses and developing mitigation recommendations for proposed timber harvesting and road construction activities. You will use a combination of office and fieldwork in rugged terrain in all weather conditions to support your interpretations.

This geologist will primarily consult in Northwest and Northeast regions, but will work throughout the state, as needed.

Duties
Responsibilities:

  • Assess geologic hazard and risk in the forested environment.
  • Serve as the expert engineering geology consultant for land managers.
  • Develop landslide hazard and channel migration zone mitigation recommendations for forest management activities, recreation plans, and engineering projects that follow Forest Practices or other applicable rules and regulations.
  • Perform field reconnaissance in remote, rugged terrain.
  • Delineate channel migration zones.
  • Utilize remote sensing tools including lidar derivatives and aerial imagery in GIS to map potentially unstable slopes.
  • Assess rock source suitability for forest road construction.
  • Perform detail-oriented project work and consultation.
  • Consult directly with foresters, engineers, managers, tribes, and external stakeholders.
  • Communicate orally and in writing to provide formal and informal briefings to technical experts, management officials, environmental interest groups, and members of the general public.
  • Collaborate with team members.
  • Stay current with relevant scientific research.

Qualifications
This may be filled as an in-training position. Candidates will be considered as Natural Resource Scientist 3 or Natural Resource Scientist 2 In-Training, depending upon qualifications. The training plan duration is up to 12-16 months. If the plan is completed in less time, the remainder of the time may be waived.

Required Qualifications:
Natural Resource Scientist 2 In-Training required qualifications
(Salary range: $4,324-$5,813 per month): 

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in geology, geomorphology, hydrology, or a closely related earth sciences field. Must meet all educational requirements to qualify for Washington State geology licensing exams. Official review of transcripts may be required prior to employment.
  • Three years of professional experience in the fields of engineering geology, geology, geomorphology, or closely related field.
    Note: A graduate degree in geology, geomorphology, hydrology, or a closely related earth science field will substitute for two years of experience.
  • Experience accurately observing, mapping, and interpreting terrain conditions, such as landslides and associated landforms, in the forested environment.
  • Experience communicating the results of risk analyses to others, both verbally and in writing.
  • Experience using word processing, spreadsheet, and GIS software.
  • Knowledge of the scientific literature as it pertains to the effects of forest land use on physical watershed processes (erosion, sedimentation, and hydrology).
  • DNR Core Competencies: 
    • Personal Accountability 
    • Value Others 
    • Compassionate Communication 
    • Inspire Others 
    • Commitment to Excellence 

Natural Resource Scientist 3 will meet the NR Scientist 2 required qualifications in addition to the qualifications below:
(Salary range: $5,268-$7,085 per month):

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in geology, geomorphology, hydrology, or a closely related earth sciences field.
  • Five years of professional experience in the fields of engineering geology, geology, geomorphology, or closely related field.
    Note: A graduate degree in geology, geomorphology, hydrology, or a closely related earth science field will substitute for two years of experience.
    OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

  • Must be a Licensed Geologist in the State of Washington.
  • Must acquire an Engineering Geologist specialty license within one year after hire as an NRS 3 or within one year after promotion to an NRS 3.
  • Must be approved by Forest Practices to be a “qualified expert” (WAC 222-10-030(5)) within one year of hire as an NRS 3 or within one year after promotion to an NRS 3.
  • A valid driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.
  • Position is required to both work in an office and in the field in remote locations on uneven terrain and in all weather conditions. Assignments will require occasional overnight travel.
  • Frequent day-long and occasional overnight travel is required.
  • Employees of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are required to complete their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (be fully vaccinated against COVID-19) or be approved for a medical or religious accommodation as a condition of employment. Please note, any offer of employment is contingent and no start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved accommodation. “Fully vaccinated” means the following: An employee is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax) or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen) authorized for emergency use, licensed, or otherwise approved by the FDA or listed for emergency use, or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization. 

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Experience conducting site-scale landslide risk analyses, where proposed timber harvest and road construction activities are evaluated for their potential to increase mass wasting.
  • Experience developing harvest- and construction-related mitigation measures to reduce the potential for management-related mass wasting.
  • Proficiency with slope stability modeling software, such as Slope/W.
  • Experience authoring or co-authoring “qualified expert” reports prepared in accordance with the standards specified in WAC 222-10-030.
  • Knowledge of relevant State regulations and laws including State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and Forest Practices rules.
  • Proficiency with GIS applications including Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, Raster Calculator, and Model Builder to analyze and model topographic and hydrologic data; file geodatabase management; and Python programming.
  • Ability to:
    • Accept responsibility for assigned tasks and activities;
    • Develop long-range work plans, think conceptually, observe and interpret trends, analyze data, identify key relationships, and draw logical conclusions
    • Maintain effective working relationships;
    • Interpret policy and procedures;
    • Address large groups and write effectively;
    • Work independently or as part of a team on assigned tasks

Application Requirements:

  • To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov. You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
  • Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile and the position required, desired and special requirements.
  • Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications.
  • Provide three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume.
  • Attach a copy of your college degree certificate or an unofficial copy of your transcripts.
  • Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
  • Complete all supplemental questions.
  • A field interview and follow-up written field summary may be required from the top candidates.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4048636/state-lands-geologist-natural-resource-scientist-3-or-natural-resource-scientist

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