Wetland Specialist - Environmental Planner 2 or 3 - Permanent - *04125-24 description image

Wetland Specialist – Environmental Planner 2 or 3 – Permanent – *04125-24

Salary: $4,497.00 – $7,184.00 Monthly
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Job Number: 2024-04125
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 04/01/2024
Closing Date: 05/05/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Category: Parks and Beaches / Trades / Miscellaneous / Land Use / Natural Resources / Wetlands / Research / Green-Collar/Environmental / Wildlife
 
 
 

 

Description

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
 WETLAND SPECIALIST
 ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER 2 OR 3

This recruitment is posted until May 5, 2024 and applications will be reviewed starting on April 16. We encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The Hiring Manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time when a selection has been made.

Capital and Asset Management Program (CAMP)
 Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

This position can be hired at either the Environmental Planner 2 or Environmental Planner 3 classification, depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected applicant.

Depending on which level the successful candidate is hired into, the salary will be as follows:

Environmental Planner 2: $4,497 – $6,046 monthly

Environmental Planner 3: $5,341 – $7,184 monthly

In this role, you will play a crucial part in ensuring the environmental permitting and compliance of WDFW’s construction projects statewide. Collaborating with senior-level wetland and permit specialists, you will gather data and prepare documents essential for obtaining environmental permits necessary for construction activities, including wetland delineations and reports.

Your responsibilities will include coordination with various agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Ecology, and local governments. Your expertise in environmental permitting and wetland services will be pivotal in moving forward with capital projects, as these services are indispensable for project implementation.

Additionally, you will assist in ensuring compliance with environmental permits, including managing in-water work schedules and methods, protecting aquatic life around construction zones, assessing wetland impacts, devising mitigation plans, and conducting vegetation monitoring and reporting.

Wetland Specialist - Environmental Planner 2 or 3 - Permanent - *04125-24 description image

Chehalis Wildlife Area Wetland Pond– Photo credit: WDFW

 

Duties

Key roles of this position include: 

Wetland delineations, report writing, mapping, rating, and mitigation requirements for CAMP projects

  • Develop (or assist with the development of) plans, and coordinates activities associated with wetland delineation preparation.
  • Perform fieldwork for wetland delineations throughout the state. Use a Trimble GPS unit. Analyze soils, vegetation, and hydrology on site. 
  • Complete data forms and wetland rating forms during and after field activities. 
  • Prepare, draft, seek peer-review, and submit wetland delineation reports and mitigation plans for the preparation of permit application packages.  
  • Determine eligibility of consultants to perform work for the agency and recommends the selection of those qualified for state planning (EP3 level only).

Prepare (or assist with the preparation of) additional supporting permit documents as needed:

  • Coordinate with environmental planners to assist in the determination of site constraints, county requirements, and wetland delineation requirements for projects.        
  • Coordinating with internal and external personnel to determine site constraints, local requirements, and wetland delineation requirements for projects. 
  • Maintain knowledge of current environmental regulations. 

Assist lead permitting staff in environmental tasks in work areas: 

  • Perform seining, sampling, and removal of aquatic species from active construction areas. This includes cataloging and maintaining accurate records.  
  • Perform water quality sampling including pH, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen, or other site samples. Assist with other aspects of environmental permit compliance as needed. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Work Setting, including hazards:
    • Duties are performed in an office setting, construction sites, and field sites including in-water work (Hatcheries and Wildlife Areas). 
    • Maneuver over uneven terrain including slippery surfaces, mud, steep slopes, and other challenging field conditions for extended periodsMay also encounter inclement weather conditions.
    • Employee will be required to climb ladders, work from boats, and elevated locations.
    • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. 
    • Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor for long periods of time, sitting or standing for long periods of time.
  • Schedule:
    • Standard business hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  A 40-hour work week is expected.  
    • Workload may require additional hours and the incumbent may be expected to adjust their work schedule to meet business needs. 
    • A flexible work schedule and remote work will be considered at the incumbent’s request, subject to supervisory approval. 
  • Travel Requirements:
    • Travel throughout the state for fieldwork will be required. 
    • Long field days and overnight stays are likely. 
    • Travel may occur on weekends in rare circumstances. 
    • Travel throughout the state to attend training, meetings, and conferences. Agency vehicles will be provided where possible and per diem is earned. 
  • Tools and Equipment:
    • Employee will operate pickup trucks, computer hardware and software, cell phone, field sampling equipment including turbidity meter, pH meter, conductivity meter, GPS Trimble unit, electro-fisher, and fish removal equipment. 
  • Customer Interactions:
    • Interactions with the public while accessing work areas may occur.

 

Qualifications

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

To qualify at the Environmental Planner 2 level:

An associate degree with an emphasis/specialty in wetland science, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science or policy, or related field. 

 

AND  

 

Two (2) years of professional experience in wetland science, fish management or research, wildlife management or research, habitat management or research, natural resource planning, federal, state, and local permitting, or equivalent field.

 

OR 

 

A bachelor’s degree in wetland science, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science or policy, or equivalent field.

 

AND  

 

Three (3) months of an internship or hands-on professional experience performing or assisting with wetland delineations, fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, habitat management or habitat research, natural resource planning, or equivalent fieldwork. 

 

To qualify at the Environmental Planner 3 level:

An associate degree with an emphasis/specialty in wetland science, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science or policy, or related field. 

AND  

Four (4) years of professional experience in wetland science, fish management or research, wildlife management or research, habitat management or research, natural resource planning, federal, state, and local permitting, or equivalent field.

OR 

A bachelor’s degree in wetland science, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science or policy, or equivalent field.

AND  

Two (2) years of professional experience in wetland science, fish management or research, wildlife management or research, habitat management or research, natural resource planning, federal, state, and local permitting, or equivalent field.

Please note, for either of the above levels:  

  • Professional experience in wetland science, fish management or fish research, wildlife management or research, habitat management or research, natural resource planning, or equivalent field may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis. 
  • A master’s degree in wetland science, fish management or research, habitat management or research, environmental science or policy, natural resource planning, or equivalent field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
  • A PhD. in wetland science, fish management or research, habitat management or research, environmental science or policy, natural resource planning, or equivalent field may substitute for two years of experience.  

Certifications/Licenses: 

  • Valid driver’s license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

Knowledge Competencies (practical or theoretical understanding of subjects):

  • Western and Eastern WA wetland plant identification
  • Data processing/analysis using Esri ArcGIS Pro
  • Vegetative surveys/monitoring
  • Hydric soil identification
  • OHWM identification and delineation
  • Aquatic species protection methodology and implementation

Skill and Ability Competencies (natural or learned capacities to performs acts): 

  • Scientific/technical report writing and review
  • Code, law, and regulation research and interpretation
  • Field work techniques and safety
  • Field data collection, entry, and analysis

 

Supplemental Information

 

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

 

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

 

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

  • A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
  • A current resume. 
  • Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

UNION – WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

  • Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.
  • Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
  • Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

 

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE: 

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

  • Notify us of your military spouse status by email at diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.  
  • Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
  • Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

 

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. 

 

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.   Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

Wetland Specialist - Environmental Planner 2 or 3 - Permanent - *04125-24 description image 

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.   Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.  

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

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