Summary
The Department of Local Services, Road Services Division is looking for a talented Environmental Scientist III who is interested in career development. This position will lead and prepare environmental documentation, secure permits and approvals for capital improvement and maintenance projects, and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. This body of work also involves applying technical and scientific expertise in the areas of fisheries biology, fish habitat characterization and mapping, and mitigation site monitoring. Come join our team and make a meaningful impact on environmental conservation and infrastructure development!
Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our commitment to “True North” values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.
King County is the local service provider for the roughly quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; taken together, Unincorporated King County would be the second-largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office with a Community Service Area group, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivery of local services to all of the unincorporated areas.
The King County Road Services Division designs, builds, operates and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of King County in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner to protect the public's investment and facilitate safe travel. The division is committed to ensuring the county's transportation system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel. The Division is responsible for 1,500 miles of road and 182 bridges, 5.7 million feet of drainage ditches, over 44,000 traffic control signs, 78 traffic signals, and 50 traffic cameras in unincorporated King County.
Job Duties
Applying equity, racial, and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.
To be considered for this opportunity, you must at a minimum, demonstrate knowledge, skill, and ability to:
- Lead, author, and coauthor, the development and review of comprehensive technical environmental documents and permitting applications including: (Biological Assessments and related documentation to support Endangered Species Act (ESA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, and Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application (JARPA) forms.
- Prepare and submit local, state, and federal permit applications and approval requests to ensure regulatory compliance for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and maintenance initiatives.
- Conduct Critical Areas reviews, including ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) delineations and fish habitat assessments, characterization, mapping and monitoring.
- Collaborate with the Agency Review Team (ART) within the Department of Local Services (DLS) Permitting Division to ensure understanding and alignment on project-specific permitting requirements.
- Perform fieldwork in challenging conditions, including harsh terrain, extreme weather, remote locations and areas with limited access to resources.
- Analyze, interpret, and apply local, state, federal laws/regulations and department policies to ensure full compliance with project requirements.
- Draft and review responses to proposed legislation, community or county plans, and other agency proposals that could impact RSD projects or operations.
- Lead the coordination and thorough review of complex engineering plans and specifications to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws/regulations and identify/quantify potential environmental impacts.
- Lead and actively participate in meetings with a diverse group of internal and external team members and community partners.
- Lead and coordinate the development of team goals, strategies, work quality, and schedules that enhance EU performance; provide the EU Supervisor with progress reports.
- Lead and mentor Environmental Scientist I and II's, and oversee training and professional development initiatives.
- Provide construction support for projects involving road maintenance, bridge maintenance, drainage maintenance, stormwater infrastructure and other assets within the right of way.
- Provide environmental support to road construction crews during stream bypass installation and removal, fish exclusion, best management practice (BMP) selection and installation, and revegetation efforts.
- Conduct water quality monitoring, plant establishment, and mitigation monitoring as required by permits.
- Provide Environmental Lead support during emergency events such as floods and manage the acquisition of permits through an expedited/emergency process.
- Accomplish job duties with an equity mindset.
- Perform other duties or special projects as assigned.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- A bachelor’s degree in fisheries biology, or a closely related field; OR any combination of equivalent education, experience/professional certifications that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties.
- Demonstrated ability in conducting complex environmental reviews, including ordinary high water mark delineations, wetland assessments, mapping, and monitoring fish habitats.
- Experience preparing, reviewing, and authoring technical environmental documents and permitting applications, including Biological Assessments, Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance, and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews.
- Proven ability to lead a team, including setting goals, developing strategies, and maintaining high work quality standards.
- Comprehensive knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental laws, regulations and review processes, including permitting approval processes across the same jurisdictions.
- Knowledge of Western Washington ecology and environmental issues, including wetlands, streams, riparian zones, and applied knowledge of the hydrology, hydraulics, and geomorphology as they relate to these systems.
- Knowledge of temporary and permanent erosion control methods, including stream dewatering and bypass procedures; Understanding of Best Management Practices (BMP's), designed and applied in accordance with the Regional Road Maintenance ESA Program Guidelines.
- Knowledge of permitting pipelines and processes relevant to RSD projects, especially the use of WDFW’s Aquatic Protection Permitting System (APPS) and permits for maintenance projects.
- Strong problem solving skills with the ability to identify issues related to environmental compliance; ability to provide effective solutions in a timely manner.
- Skill in reading, analyzing and interpreting complex engineering plans and specifications.
- Ability to work under tight deadlines while performing physically demanding fieldwork, often in inclement weather or other harsh field conditions.
- Knowledge of equity related factors, including systemic barriers, social determinants, and institutional policies, with a strong commitment to advancing anti-racism efforts, reducing disparities, and promoting fairness, inclusion, and equitable decision making in policies, programs and practices.
- Exceptional ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences, including line staff, executive leadership teams, and external partners, in a clear and meaningful way.
- Strong understanding of stormwater infrastructure, drainage, and road maintenance.
- Proficiency in the use of Adobe Acrobat Pro, Microsoft Office Suite products (Teams, Word, Excel, Project, SharePoint, and PowerPoint), and other GIS software/environmental data management tools to support the development, review, and reporting of environmental documents and assessments, such as (Bluebeam Revu; ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro).
NECESSARYSPECIALREQUIREMENTS:- Must have a Valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to obtain one prior to start date.
- Must be able to operate a motor vehicle safely and travel throughout the County in all weather conditions.
- An offer of employment will be contingent on the success of a pre-employment physical examination.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:- Must be able to lift, carry, move, or handle up to 50 pounds.
- Physically able to traverse by foot through densely wooded terrain and steep inclines in all weather conditions.
- This position requires fieldwork year-round in all weather conditions, the frequency of which varies with the season.
Supplemental Information
INTERVIEW SCHEDULE:
Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in a 20-minute phone interview the week of April 14, 2025.
If you are selected to move forward after the phone interview, you will be invited for a 45-minutein-person interview the week of April 21, 2025.
WHO MAY APPLY:
This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months.
First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
A full and complete King County application is required. You may also provide a resume and cover letter, summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.
WORK SCHEDULE:
The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is Non-Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay ,with prior supervisor approval.
EMERGENCYDESIGNATION STATUS:
Mission-Critical - Those employees who provide, maintain, and re-establish essential county functions as described in agency Continuity of Operations plans.
Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.
UNION MEMBERSHIP:
This position is represented by PROTEC17.
TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT:
The work associated with this position will be performed by a combination of teleworking, field work (at least 40% of the time depending on season) year round in all weather conditions, and onsite work and meetings as needed. The responsibilities of this position will include regular and ongoing in-office work.
Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington stateandwithinareasonabledistancetotheirKingCountyworksitetorespondtoworkplacereportingrequirements.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled workhours.
To learn more about the Road Services Division, Permitting or Director’s Office, please visit our websites at:
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
