Seeking environmental technicians
Join our Watershed Health Monitoring team for a summer of instream data collection
As an environmental technician, you can help us collect data about the critters that live in streams.
Our watershed health monitoring team is seeking eight early career scientists to join us for a summer of river and stream sampling. These watershed health environmental technicians and specialists will travel all over the state to complete physical surveys of designated stream sites. Work includes field navigation, biological monitoring, water quality sampling, habitat surveys, and using different types of monitoring equipment.
The application period is open starting on March 12, 2024. To be considered for the preliminary recruitment period, please submit an application on or before March 24, 2024.
Going on 15 years of dedicated data collection
Our watershed health monitoring (WHM) program began in 2009 with a goal of tracking the condition of Washington’s rivers and streams. This long-term study informs stream habitat restoration projects and contributes to our knowledge of stream health and its stressors. Our data are publicly available in the WHM Search database, and our assessments inform the biannual State of the Salmon. We also report our results on stream health. In 2019, we published the first statewide assessment of biological health in perennial streams.
Each year, we sample over 80 river and stream sites to add to our ongoing dataset. Of these sites, 50 are randomly selected in one of eight regions, each on a rotating schedule. This summer, will be located in the Mid-Columbia Region, including sites near Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Rimrock, Yakima, Prosser, and Kennewick. The remaining reference sampling locations are scattered throughout the state.
Apply to join our team
Three crews of four members each typically spend a full day at a site, collecting samples and completing assessments. The days can be long, and crews may work in challenging weather conditions. The work requires a keen attention to detail.
Technician carries sampling gear out to a site
The positions begin in early June and extend through mid-October. End dates can be flexible, if needed. All crews will be travelling during the scheduled work period, based out of the Lacey Ecology Building. Meals and housing are covered during travel periods.
If you enjoy the outdoors, have a background in natural sciences, and want to learn more, please consider applying to be an environmental scientist with us!
Position Descriptions:
Watershed Health Monitoring Etech (Environmental Technician) (6 positions)Salary: $2,874.48 – $3,699.24 Monthly
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Non-Permanent
Season Length: The positions will start on June 17, 2024, and end no later than October 15, 2024
Job Number: 2024-EAPT179-T183T234-02876
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Environmental Assessment
Opening Date: 03/12/2024
DescriptionThe Environmental Assessment Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill six Watershed Health Monitoring Etech (Environmental Technician) positions for the Summer 2024 field season.
The positions will be locatedin Lacey, WA with work primarily focused on the Mid-Columbia region with some sample sites statewide. Travel and lodging will be reimbursed by the Department of Ecology. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
The positions will start on June 17, 2024, and end no later than October 15, 2024. The end date is flexible and depends on how the field season goes. Students needing to return to school in the fall are still encouraged to apply.
In this entry-level position, you have the opportunity to use what you’ve learned in school and apply it to environmental sampling techniques. Some of the key work activities include hiking, field navigation, biological monitoring, water quality sampling, habitat surveys, and using different types of monitoring equipment. The information you collect will help assess the condition of streams and watersheds. The data is used to describe the status and trends of watershed health, lakes, and other environmental conditions to better inform natural resource conservation and management plans. Program Mission: The mission of the Environmental Assessment Program is to measure, assess, and communicate environmental conditions in Washington state. Schedule: The schedule will consist of 10-hour shifts, working for eight consecutive days followed by six days off. Please note: These are temporary positions that will end no later than October 15, 2024.
Application Timeline: The positions will remain open until filled, we will review applications on March 25, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before March 24, 2024. If your application isn’t received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date. Ecology 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 *Click here for more information For this position, the Environmental Assessment Program will provide Personal Protective Equipment. Travel and lodging will be reimbursed by the Department of Ecology. About the Department of Ecology Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan.
Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:
Our commitment to DEIR Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.
Duties
What makes this role unique? The Department of Ecology’s Watershed Health Monitoring program assesses streams and rivers across the state to obtain a consistent, objective picture of habitat and biological conditions. We sample eight regions in the state on a rotating basis. Our scientists evaluate watershed health in streams and rivers by analyzing the monitoring data for each region. You will directly support these ongoing data collection efforts as we survey streams and rivers in the Mid-Columbia region this summer.
What you will do:
The positions will start June 17, 2024, and end no later than October 15, 2024. The end date is flexible and depends on how the field season goes. These positions will be based in Lacey, WA. Travel and lodging will be reimbursed by the Department of Ecology. The field work schedule will consist of 10-hour shifts, working for eight consecutive days followed by six days off.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify. High school diploma or equivalent ANDtwo (2) years of technical or third clerical-level experience in an environmental agency or an office.
All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool. Physical Requirements
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Watershed Health Monitoring Environmental Specialist 1 (2 positions)Salary: $3,220.74 – $4,282.14 Monthly
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Non-Permanent
Season Length: The positions will start on June 17, 2024, and end no later than October 15, 2024
Job Number: 2024-EAPT232T233-02975
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Environmental Assessment
Opening Date: 03/12/2024
The Environmental Assessment Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill two Watershed Health Monitoring Environmental Specialist 1 positions for the Summer 2024 field season.
The positions will be located in Lacey, WA with work primarily focused on the Mid-Columbia region with some sample sites statewide. Travel and lodging will be reimbursed by the Department of Ecology. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
The positions will start on June 1, 2024, and end no later than October 15, 2024. The end date is flexible and depends on how the field season goes. Students needing to return to school in the fall are still encouraged to apply.
In this role, you will conduct environmental sampling and support the Watershed Health Monitoring field leads by assisting in the organization of day-to-day data collection activities in the field. You will also aid in training the environmental technicians involved in this project. Some of the key work activities include: hiking, field navigation, biological monitoring, water quality sampling, habitat surveys, and using different types of monitoring equipment. The information that you collect will help assess the condition of streams and watersheds. The data is used to describe the status and trends of watershed health, lakes, and other environmental conditions to better inform natural resource conservation and management plans.
Program Mission: The mission of the Environmental Assessment Program is to measure, assess, and communicate environmental conditions in Washington state. Please note: These are temporary positions that will end no later than October 15, 2024.
Application Timeline: The positions will remain open until filled, we will review applications on March 25, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before March 24, 2024. If your application isn’t received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date. Ecology 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 *Click here for more information For this position, the Environmental Assessment Program will provide Personal Protective Equipment. Travel and lodging will be reimbursed by the Department of Ecology. About the Department of Ecology Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan.
Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:
Our commitment to DEIR Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.
Duties
What makes this role unique? The Department of Ecology’s Watershed Health Monitoring program assesses streams and rivers across the state to obtain a consistent, objective picture of habitat and biological conditions. We sample eight regions in the state on a rotating basis. Our scientists evaluate watershed health in streams and rivers by analyzing the monitoring data for each region. You will directly support these ongoing data collection efforts as we survey streams and rivers in the Mid-Columbia region this summer.
What you will do:
The positions will start June 1, 2024, and end no later than October 15, 2024. The end date is flexible and depends on how the field season goes. These positions will be based in Lacey, WA. Travel and lodging will be reimbursed by the Department of Ecology. The field work schedule will consist of 10-hour shifts, working for eight consecutive days followed by six days off.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.
A total of four (4) years of experience and/or education as described below:
All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool. Physical Requirements
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Supplemental Information
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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 on 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.
- A list of three professional references.
Note: References will only be contacted during the final steps of the recruitment process for candidates selected as finalists. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s formal authorization.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 (such as 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 Scott Collyard at: Scott.Collyard@ecy.wa.gov Please do not contact Scott to inquire about the status of your application.
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.govWhy work for Ecology?
As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State’s environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology 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, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
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- State of Washington
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- View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
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