Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
TheShorelands & Environmental Assistance(SEA) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Federal Permit Liaison (Environmental Specialist 4) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Office inLacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
In this position, you will be part of a dynamic team that will focus on protecting state waters through the review of projects being conducted in water of the state (including wetlands) and coordination with other resource agencies, and other Ecology programs. You will have a role of working with our federal partners in implementation of the Corps Nationwide Permits and the Clean Water Action Section 401. You will be able to gain knowledge and experience regarding protecting the state water quality, sediment quality, stormwater and wetlands through reviewing projects to ensure that they will meet the state laws and regulations. You will be able to start or expand your career network through coordinating with Tribes, local, state, and federal entities on project actions that may have inter-related environmental impacts.
Agency Mission: The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations.
Program Mission: The mission of the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program is to create community conservation partnerships to protect and restore our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains.
Tele-work options for this position:This position will be eligible for up to a 90% tele-work schedule.Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled. We will review applications on October 8, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before October 7, 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.
Please Note: We will review all applications received before the date above. Additional reviews after this date typically only occur if we have a small applicant pool, or if a successful Hire was not made.
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
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:
- A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
- An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
- Continuous growth and development opportunities.
- Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.
Our commitment to DEIR
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR)are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
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?
This new position was established after a court case which took away federal protection of some water of the United States. In this position, you will review proposed projects to ensure that state waters, including wetlands are protected. You will contribute to the protections of state waters through effective implementation of state laws and regulations, while providing technical assistance to other agencies and project proponents.
What you will do: - Provide independent review of the National Nationwide Permits and coordinate the Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) and Coastal Zone Management Federal Consistency decisions. Additionally, review project needing Section 401(a)(2) Neighboring Jurisdiction determination.
- Work closely with the Seattle District Corps of Engineers on the implementation, outreach, and training for the Nationwide Permit Program.
- Work closely with other federal and state agencies to understand and review projects authorized by Nationwide Permits or projects going through Section 401(a)(2) process, this may include conducting site visits as needed.
- Establish review teams and work with other Ecology programs and state agencies to review projects.
- Responsible for representing the Federal Permit Managers on the Aquatics Database business team.
- Enhance and maintain Aquatics database in partnership with the Aquatics database business team. Define requirements and success criteria for enhancements, test and accept deliverables, update business rules, and provide training as needed to users.
- Work cooperatively with colleagues to resolve internal policy interpretation issues, concerns or disagreements. Bring unresolved issues to Unit Supervisor or Section Manager.
- Compose correspondence, reports and prepare draft and final documents.
- Assist other Federal Permit Managers at Headquarters and in the regional offices with processing projects requiring federal permits.
- 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.
All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:| Possible Combinations | College credit hours or degree - as listed above | Years of professional level experience - as listed above |
| Combination 1 | No college credit hours or degree | 9 years of experience |
| Combination 2 | 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits | 8 years of experience |
| Combination 3 | 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree) | 7 years of experience |
| Combination 4 | 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits | 6 years of experience |
| Combination 5 | A Bachelor's Degree | 5 years of experience |
| Combination 6 | A Master’s Degree | 3 years of experience |
| Combination 7 | A Ph.D. | 2 years of experience |
ORTwo years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3, at the Department of Ecology.Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:- Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Desired Qualifications:We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
- Working knowledge of Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, the Corps of Engineers permitting process and/or permitting at the local level.
- Working knowledge of in-water construction activities and best management practices associated with those activities.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate with multiple stockholders in regard to environmental regulations at the federal, state, and local level, by independently reviewing, analyzing, developing, and recommending permit decisions.
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
Supplemental Information
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 Accommodationin the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?
- Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.govand 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 Loree' Randall at: Loree.Randall@ecy.wa.gov Please do not contact Loree'to inquire about the status of your application. To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov
Why 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. #LI-Hybrid
