Environmental Scientist II | Government Jobs page has loaded. Environmental Scientist II | Government Jobs page has loaded.
 Click here or press any key to continue.

Environmental Scientist II



Job Details

Environmental Scientist II

This listing closes on 4/13/2025 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana.

Employer

King County

Salary

$46.40 - $58.81 Hourly

Location

Renton, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

Job Number

2025CM23998

Department

DLS - Dept. of Local Services

Division

Road Services

Opening Date

03/14/2025

Closing Date

4/13/2025 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada); Tijuana

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

C1 : PROTEC17-DES, DLS, DNRP

Full- or Part-Time
Full Time
Hours/Week
40 hours/week

Summary



The Department of Local Services, Road Services Division is seeking a passionate and skilled Environmental Scientist II to join the Environmental Unit (EU). The EU provides scientific, technical, and regulatory support for Roads' Capital Improvement (CIP) Projects, maintenance programs, and facilities.  Some key responsibilities of this role include preparing technical environmental documents, conducting field assessments, developing Biological Assessments, ensuring Endangered Species Act (ESA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, interpreting regulations, performing wetland and OHWM delineations, wildlife habitat assessments, and fieldwork, such as fish exclusion and water quality monitoring. This role involves at least 50% fieldwork year-round in all weather conditions.

This is an exciting opportunity for a committed environmental professional with a passion for environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and advancing sustainable 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.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
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:
  • Develop and review technical environmental documents for permit applications and regulatory approvals, including but not limited to Biological Assessments and related documentation for compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
  • Conduct Critical Areas reviews, including wetland delineations and ratings, ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) delineations, wildlife habitat assessment, characterization, and mapping, fish exclusion and dewatering activities, and electrofishing, and water quality monitoring.  
  • Support the Road’s Mitigation Monitoring Program, by contributing to the implementation, monitoring, maintenance, reporting, and closeout of mitigation sites for critical area restoration and enhancement related to transportation project impacts.
  • Provide scientific and technical expertise on Western Washington environmental issues and salmon habitat to inform decision making and project development.  
  • Collaborate with project teams, regulatory agencies, and business partners to ensure environmental compliance and successful integration of mitigation strategies.
  • Perform fieldwork in challenging conditions, including harsh terrain, extreme weather, remote locations and areas with limited access to resources.   
  • Review, analyze, and interpret complex project engineering plans and specifications to ensure regulatory compliance with local, state and environmental laws and permitting requirements.
  • Support stream dewatering and bypass procedures while implementing erosion control methods in alignment with Best Management Practices (BMP's).  
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills


  • A bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, fisheries, aquatic ecology, or closely related field; OR any combination of experience and education that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties.  
  • Demonstrated experience conducting wetland delineations and ratings, ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) delineations, and/or wildlife habitat assessment, characterization, and mapping.
  • Knowledge of western Washington environmental issues and salmon habitat.
  • Ability to perform physically demanding tasks in the field while working under tight deadlines in challenging conditions, including harsh weather, hazardous environments and rugged terrain.  
  • Proficiency in creating and reviewing technical environmental documents, such as Biological Assessments, for regulatory compliance and permitting processes.
  • Knowledge of local/state/federal environmental regulations and permitting processes.
  • Knowledge of temporary and permanent erosion control methods, including stream dewatering and bypass procedures; Understanding/knowledge of Best Management Practices (BMP's) developed and applied in accordance with the Regional Road Maintenance ESA Program Guidelines. 
  • Ability to review, analyze, and interpret complex engineering plans and specifications accurately, and ensure compliance and feasibility.   
  • Committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment through continuous learning and meaningful actions; dedicated to cultivating self-awareness of racism, systemic inequities, positional power,  and privilege, while recognizing the impact on individuals, communities, and institutions. 
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.  
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office products including, Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, Project, PowerPoint; and with other software's such as Adobe Acrobat Pro, Bluebeam Revu, ArcMap, and ArcGIS.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • 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 fifty 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 21, 2025. 

If you are selected to move forward after the phone interview, you will be invited for a 45-minute in-person interview the week of April 28, 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.


EMERGENCY DESIGNATION 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 50%) 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 state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.


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 work hours.?


To learn more about the Road Services Division, Permitting or Director’s Office, please visit our websites at: 

Road Services Division:

Permitting:

Director’s Office:


For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Cassandra Montgomery 
Acting, Human Resource Analyst, Senior
(206) 263-5866

cassandra.montgomery@kingcounty.gov 


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.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite activity centers
  • Employee Giving Program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
Do you have experience conducting critical area reviews, such as wetland delineations and ratings, ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) delineations, wildlife habitat assessment, characterization, and mapping?
  • Yes
  • No
02
If you answered yes to question number 1, please indicate where you obtained this experience and describe a specific project where you conducted a critical area review. What methods did you use and what challenges did you encounter? If this does not apply to you, please state "N/A".
03
Do you have experience developing and reviewing technical environmental documents for permit applications and regulatory approvals?
  • Yes
  • No
04
If you answered yes to question number 3, please indicate where you gained this experience, your role, and the type of technical documents you created. If this does not apply to you, please state “N/A”.
05
Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
  • Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
  • No.
06
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff.

* Required Question

Employer
King County
Phone
206-477-3404
Website
http://www.kingcounty.gov/
Address
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104

Apply

OnlineApplication

Warning! You are using Internet Explorer 8. Some features of the Online Application are not fully supported in this version. Please upgrade to a later version of Internet Explorer for optimal performance.

Loading ...
Sorry. Nothing to print