See full details at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3278224/regional-water-quality-specialist-environmental-specialist-4

What makes this role unique?

In this role, you will perform environmental monitoring/sampling and provide guidance for surveys, field studies or other special data gathering activities. You will use specialized knowledge of freshwater community ecology, biological taxonomy and aquatic life history to ensure that the unit’s field operations relating to biological habitat assessment and effectiveness monitoring are done in the most efficient and effective manner practicable.

What you will do:

• Plan, develop, research, and conduct or oversee environmental sampling design technical data collection and analyze, evaluate, and interpret data.
• Conduct water quality and biological monitoring projects using appropriate scientific knowledge, including project scoping, monitoring plan design (including setting project objectives), fieldwork, quality assurance and on-going communication with the client and other stakeholders.
• Make recommendations to management regarding new or modified sampling and analytical testing methods, best management practices, and technical operating procedures.
• Understand and communicate complex environmental information with agency staff, other agencies, industry and the public.
• Train and supervise other personnel in survey protocols, field evaluation and reporting work; gather and evaluate sample data; formulate and justify conclusions and recommendations.
• Design, organize, and implement monitoring programs to evaluate the effectiveness of Total Maximum Daily Load and habitat restoration projects using metrics obtained from the measurement of vertebrate/invertebrate populations and instream/riparian measurements of habitat quality. 
• Analyze data, generate statistical analysis, author and co-author QAPP’s and reports about the relative effectiveness of strategies and measures. 
• Work with other staff throughout the Eastern Operations sections to track the progress of QAPP’s and reports and completes biannual report to EPA on how 319 funds have been spent.

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.

A total of Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Experience: Professional level Research experience in: environmental analysis, environmental monitoring, natural science, freshwater biology, or freshwater stream ecology. 

Education: involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences or other closely related field.

See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position:  

OR 

Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3, at the Department of Ecology.   

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

Must possess and maintain 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. 

• Special knowledge/Skills:
  1. Freshwater community ecology and statistical sampling design.
  2. Some freshwater biological taxonomy and life history knowledge.
  3. Freshwater habitat assessment skills, freshwater chemistry, Access programming, statistical sampling design, database management.
• Experience using the following:
  1. Continuous data monitors, field meters, operate boats, 
  2. Database software, spreadsheet software, word processing software, statistical software.
  3. Habitat measures (leveling rod, measure tape, canopy densitometer, clinometer, compass, hand level, flow meter.
  4. Chemistry measures (dissolved oxygen meter, conductivity meter).

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 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 Dr. George Onwumere at: George.Onwumere@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Dr. Onwumere to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov