Are you interested in a management role that will help protect and enhance public health, safety, and the environment? If so, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is presently recruiting for a Senior Scientist to support SPU’s commitment to protect public health and the environment. This Senior Scientist position will implement surface water quality monitoring efforts to identify trends and performance indicators to help determine if SPU investments in capital projects, green infrastructure, and pollution prevention are improving water quality in our urban watersheds. You will integrate scientific knowledge with policy and planning, identify resource risks and trade-offs, and provide key recommendations in briefings and papers to executives. This work is essential to improve surface water quality and reduce potential adverse effects to the community from flood waters. SPU maintains a public service commitment to provide efficient and forward-looking utility services that keeps Seattle the best place to live.

About Seattle Public Utilities (SPU): SPU is a Community Centered Utility working to make Seattle the best place to live for everyone. We deliver high quality, vital services, across four (4) major lines of business: providing water, solid waste, drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses. In addition, SPU provides drinking water for 1.5 million regional customers in Seattle and other municipalities. Our customers depend on us to deliver high-quality, reliable, and cost-conscious utility services and to achieve the greatest benefits possible for every investment we make.

SPU commits to Our City Values and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We support and hold ourselves accountable to this commitment by eliminating barriers to access and providing employees with equitable opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

About the Environmental Science and Technology section: The Environmental Science and Technology section is responsible for urban watershed stewardship; this includes management for creeks, riparian areas, green infrastructure, the ditch and culvert system, wetland, and vegetated properties. This section recommends maintenance strategies and supports the City’s drainage system by assuring that the systems and the assets are properly planned for, funded, designed, constructed, maintained, operated, protected, and monitored throughout their lifecycle. Job Responsibilities

The Senior Water Quality Scientist acts as the water quality advisor on capital projects, especially for GSI and creek/floodplain projects. They will develop and manage contracts with consultants and establish agreements with other government agencies. The position is responsible for providing scientific information to inform important environmental policy and management decisions that protect natural resources and advance equity for all Seattle city residents.

Essential Duties include, but not limited to:

Water Quality Science

• Direct the development and implementation of scientific support to environmental programs, such as stormwater, wastewater, habitat, creeks, and climate change response strategies.
• Design and implement water quality monitoring studies to determine performance expectations of capital project such as green stormwater infrastructure and floodplain reconstruction.
• Response to public inquires around water quality data.
• Maintain technical expertise in emerging BMPs (Best Management Practices).
• Provide technical advice and interpretation to other departments related to aquatic ecology issues.

Policy

• Use scientific expertise and analytical ability to participate in policy discussions, help translate science into policy options.
• Review and provide comments on proposed legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Advise division and department directors regarding best available science pertinent to the Executive Office and Council.
• Development of science-based policies to improve environmental conditions through City projects and programs.
• Making clear, strong connections between scientific information and the policy and program recommendations stemming from that information.

Regional Coordination

• Represent Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and coordinate input on regional scientific or policy initiatives.
• Partner and collaborate with regional educational and research institutions to conduct research and monitoring projects within the urban watersheds.
• Represent the City by attending regional environmental group meetings and presenting on SPU projects and initiatives. May involve evening and week-end public meetings.
• Public outreach and involvement with the public and stakeholder groups and about the water quality issues within the City of Seattle, the Endangered Species Act and the salmon recovery processes to solicit their input and support.

Management, Grant Management, and Contract Management

• Manage consultants and contractors in the collection of scientific data. Develop scopes of work, set project direction, manage consultant duties, review work products, and track expenditures.
• Prepare an annual work plan to support the division mission and priorities, including advancing the Shape Our Water Initiative.
• Maintain Section adherence to division safety protocols, communication and media protocols, and other internal policies and protocols.
• May supervise, direct and performance manage direct reports, complete work plans and performance evaluations.
• Management is primarily focused on development of performance metrics, analysis of scientific results, and integration of those results into City policy discussions.

Qualifications

Education Requirement:
Bachelor’s degree in natural or physical sciences, environmental sciences, stream or watershed science or engineering related to surface water or related field and a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in environmental research, environmental law, impact analysis, environmental compliance, toxic substance management, or a related field.
Experience Requirement: 
Ten (10) years of experience supporting surface water quality planning and analysis.

*A combination of education, training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability (Bachelor’s degree can be substituted by 2 additional years of qualifying experience).

License Requirement: A valid Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to travel throughout the City in a timely manner.
Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of current and emerging scientific issues facing Seattle Public Utilities, such as stormwater and wastewater contamination, salmon recovery, fish habitat protection, and floodplain management
• Experience with flow monitoring and water quality sampling equipment
• Knowledge of Washington State fresh water and sediment standards
• Proficient in MS Office Suite
• Experience in supervision of reporting staff
• Experience managing agreements with State & Federal agencies
• Experience in understanding hydraulic systems and ecosystem restoration
• Ability to successfully lead and manage teams
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to describing complex ecological and biological concepts and information to scientists, residents, and rate payers in a simple understandable way, with credibility and straight forwardness

Additional Information

Application Package Expectation:
A complete application package, including the following, is required for this position:

• A full SPU online application
• Resume
• Cover letter describing your skills and experience in relation to this position

Workplace Environment (*Telework Expectation):
The work associated with this position will be performed remotely at this time. There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a City worksite. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a City issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection 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. The City of Seattle actively working to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

To support employees during this time Seattle Public Utilities has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.