See full details at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3226574/wetland-mitigation-compliance-specialist-nwr-environmental-specialist-4

What makes this role unique?

You will enhance your skills of persuasion while working with permittees to gain voluntary compliance in resolving issues on their mitigation sites. You will plan, research, collaborate and write an update to the agency’s mitigation plan guidance. For the mitigation plan guidance, you will lead and facilitate a workgroup with counterparts at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency.  

What you’ll do:

• Review monitoring reports for compensatory wetland mitigation sites assessing adequacy of the reports for determining whether performance standards have been met.
• Conduct field inspections of mitigation sites to determine if the monitoring report adequately represents site conditions and whether the site is developing as planned.
• Identify deficiencies at mitigation sites and make recommendations for contingency actions to improve the success of the sites.
• Effectively gain voluntary compliance for mitigation sites that are not meeting standards or where contingency actions have not been implemented.
• Research and write an update to the joint agency mitigation on guidance plans through coordinating and facilitating a workgroup with agency staff and wetland practitioners.
• Represent Ecology’s compliance program in interagency meetings with the purpose of developing joint guidance supported by Ecology, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Compliance Team in the Wetlands Section is a small but effective team providing oversight on the large number of wetland compensations sites in the state that are currently undergoing monitoring. We like to brainstorm solutions to problem sites and share our expertise. The Compliance Team is a cohesive group that relies on each other to help figure out a tough site. The Wetland Section includes our Policy Lead, Lead Wetland Ecologist, Compliance Team, Wetland Acquisition Specialist, and Mitigation Banking Team. 

The Department of Ecology:

• Values diversity and seeks to create an inclusive environment that results in decision-making informed by breadth of perspective.

• Works with respect for tribes and tribal sovereignty, and engages in meaningful tribal consultation.

• Strives to eliminate environmental and health disparities by prioritizing communities with environmental justice considerations.

• Values diversity and seeks to create an inclusive and respectful workspace.

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:

• Professional level Experience in: environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above. See definition of Environmental Specialist 2 and 3 listed below.
• Education: involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

The experience as an Environmental Specialist 2 can include assisting in any of the following areas: 1) performing field surveys or studies, 2) responding to complaints involving scientific or technical content, 3) preparing public meetings and hearings, 4) assistance with routine inspections or investigations requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 5) responding to routine inquires or requests for technical assistance involving scientific content, 6) special projects that are scientific in nature, 7) conducting routine sampling and testing analyses, interprets data, writing reports 8) performing basic sampling data review, 9) maintaining an environmental data base to support technical projects, 10) providing routine environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.

The Experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 can include a combination of the following: 1) investigating and / or resolving complaints involving science or technology content, 2) performing inspections, 3) drafting technical evaluations and reports, 4) develops plans for researching information used for technical projects, regulatory or policy development, 5) plan and facilitate public meetings and hearings, 6) project work requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 7) providing technical assistance for complex scientific content and/ or support for implementing scientific content programs, 8) conducting tests, analyzing and evaluating data, 9) using environmental databases to support technical projects, 10) developing scientific studies and resource management plans, 11) providing environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

Must 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. 

• Ability to negotiate agreements that resolve differences in a timely manner. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 
• Strong analytical skills: the ability to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form accurate conclusions, and make decisions.
• Ability to foster strong professional relationships with colleagues, resource professionals, and other stakeholders.

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.

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