Nonpoint Project Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Water Quality Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Nonpoint Project Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Are you passionate about healthy watersheds? Do you have experience implementing or managing complicated and sometimes controversial water quality improvement projects? In this crucial role, you will join a collaborative team of planners, internal subject matter experts, and external partners dedicated to implementing projects and developing innovative solutions that address nonpoint source pollution to protect and improve water quality. You will provide financial oversight for grants and loans awarded to local governments, state agencies, Tribes, and non-governmental partners through the Water Quality Combined Funding program, which includes both state and federal fund sources. Your responsibilities will include negotiating funding agreements, overseeing project implementation and expenditures, assisting funding recipients to ensure projects meet deliverables on schedule and within budget, and other duties as assigned to help improve program outcomes.
   
Most projects focus on riparian restoration and agricultural best management practices on both public and private land, as well as watershed planning, water quality monitoring, environmental education and outreach, land acquisition for conservation, and other eligible nonpoint activities. This role requires specialized knowledge of fiscal accountability, ecosystem services of riparian areas, and agricultural best management practices. You will need to creatively problem-solve, find innovative ways to support our work, demonstrate flexibility and rapidly respond to emerging issues, and collaborate effectively with a wide range of partners.
 
Agency Mission: Ecology’s mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations.

Program Mission: The mission of the Water Quality Program is to ensure that all aquatic life and communities in the watershed experience cool, clean water to refresh and sustain us in a changing climate. This position is part of the Ecosystem Restoration Unit of the Financial Management Section of the Water Quality Program. The Ecosystem Restoration Unit includes funding programs that address nonpoint source pollution, toxic algae and aquatic invasive species control, and stormwater innovation. The Section also manages wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects, all in pursuit of the Water Quality Program mission.

Telework options for this position: This position will have flexibility of a hybrid schedule, empowering work from home and office, providing less time in traffic and shrinking your carbon footprint. This position will be eligible for up to a 90% telework schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, telework, 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 21, 2024. To be considered, please submit an application on or before October 20, 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? 

You will develop ecosystem service payment incentive tools and oversee their implementation at both the program and project levels. You will also support the Nonpoint Funding Coordinator by leading development of this and other innovative strategies to expand implementation efforts for riparian restoration, in addition to the core duties of managing projects.
  

What you will do: 

• Monitor and track performance of funded projects through review of quarterly progress reports, payment requests, project deliverables, and performing site visits throughout the project duration, specifically at critical milestone stages.
• Use in-depth knowledge of nonpoint source best management practices, regulations, and project delivery processes to identify issues with project scope, schedule, or budgets that could affect project implementation and final completion. Work collaboratively with the regional project manager and funding recipients to resolve issues that may arise.
• Assess project compliance with funding agreement terms, funding program guidelines, agency policy, and state and federal funding program requirements. Develop recommendations and implement solutions to resolve agreement compliance issues.
• Negotiate and write new funding agreements that incorporate input from project evaluators, Ecology engineers, financial management staff, and other Ecology subject matter experts.
• Work statewide with the Nonpoint Funding Workgroup, regional colleagues, and external partners to develop, inform, and promote riparian buffer incentive funding options provided through the Combined Funding Program, including grants and loans.
• Actively participate and contribute to Nonpoint Funding Workgroup efforts to identify emerging issues, improve program processes, develop program guidance, ensure accurate messaging, fill knowledge gaps, and train new staff.

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 (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in 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 allied field.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:

Possible Combinations: College credits or degree – as listed above: Years of required experience – as listed above 

Combination 1; No college credits or degree; 9 years of experience

Combination 2; 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits; 8 years of experience

Combination 3; 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (AA degree); 7 years of experience

Combination 4; 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college 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

OR

Two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3, at the Department of Ecology. 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must 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.

• Knowledge and experience planning and implementing best management practices for nonpoint source pollution abatement and water quality protection and improvement projects.
• Knowledge and experience in water quality issues, assessment and protection and riparian restoration.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

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 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 email 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 Eliza Keeley at: Eliza.Keeley@ecy.wa.gov  Please do not contact Eliza 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.