Union Gap, WA

Position Title: Shoreland, Wetland, Aquatic Resource Specialist

Organization: Washington Department of Ecology

Location: Union Gap, WA

Position Overview: In this role, you will get to work with cutting edge wetland science and regulatory tools throughout the North Central Region (including Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties) developing relationships with local governments, federal partners, sibling agencies, and private landowners as you work to implement Washington environmental laws around shoreline, wetland, and aquatic resource management and protection. You will establish many meaningful partnerships with local, state, federal agencies, and many consultants that specialize in the field of environmental permitting. This is a highly skilled and dynamic position that is both challenging and rewarding. If this sounds like a fit for you, apply to join our team today! Central Washington offers a rich multi-cultural community, with many experience-based opportunities to enjoy new adventures. Primarily an agricultural economy, the Yakima Valley is a foodie’s delight, from the first cutting of the asparagus in the spring, to the ripe tomatoes and peppers of the summer, and the apples and gourds of the fall; Yakima’s bountiful produce inspires all.

Duties:

• Provide independent review and technical assistance to local, state, and federal government partners and landowners within Washington’s Central Region.
• Provide independent review of wetland delineation reports, wetland ratings, and field verify findings for accuracy and correctness.
• Provide independent review of Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) requests, Administrative Order requests (AO), and Shoreline permitting requests, including supporting documentation (JARPA’s) for completeness and accuracy. Types of projects vary from infrastructure projects, developments, pipelines, and restoration projects.
• Work closely and coordinate with other federal and state agency staff reviewing projects and conduct site visits.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with other Ecology programs, local, state, and federal agencies.
• Responsible for maintaining current information in Ecology’s Aquatics, Shoreline Permit Tracking System (SPTS), Environmental Response Tracking System (ERTS), and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) databases.
• Work cooperatively with colleagues to resolve internal policy interpretation issues, concerns or disagreements.  Brings unresolved issues to respective policy leads or Section Manager.
• Compose correspondence, reports and prepare draft and final documents.
• Occasional participation in evening hearings, meetings, presentations, etc.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:

• 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

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 nine years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience: Involving environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.
• Education: Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other closely allied scientific field

Salary/Pay: $66,012.00 – $88,800.00 Annually

Application Deadline: Continuous

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.