Environmental Scientist III - Geologist
- Summary
Would you like to join our dynamic team of highly-skilled scientists, engineers, and planners who work among King County creeks and rivers to reduce flood risk while protecting and restoring floodplains, habitats and fisheries? We are hiring a Senior Geologist, Environmental Scientist III to apply geologic and geomorphic principles to a wide range of projects and programs.
We are recruiting a Career Service Environmental Scientist III - Geologist to join our Technical Services Team. This position is part of the Technical, Ecological, and Maintenance (TEM) Services Unit in the River and Floodplain Management Section of the Water and Land Resources Division. The TEM Unit is a team of highly skilled environmental scientists, engineers, and planners tasked with evaluating complex technical issues and assisting with design, permitting, implementation and monitoring of capital projects implemented to manage floodplains to protect people, infrastructure, and the environment while complying with county, state, and federal requirements. The TEM unit also conducts long-term studies of flood and channel migration hazards, fluvial geomorphic change, large wood dynamics and habitat restoration effectiveness.
In this role, you will act with a strong customer focus to understand and serve the needs of the residents of King County and deliver solutions that reduce flood risk while protecting the environment. You will participate on teams that take on new opportunities and challenges with energy and enthusiasm and make connections to arrive at the best solutions. The ideal candidate will be tech savvy, curious, and adaptable, enabling them to evaluate complex situations and recommend reasonable actions while learning from challenges.
Who is Eligible: This position is open to all qualified candidates. First consideration for the career service position will be given to all current King County PROTEC Local 17A bargaining unit employees eligible for a lateral transfer (transferring within the Environmental Scientist III classification and having passed probation).
Commitment to Equity and Social Justice:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts. To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity.
Telecommuting Requirement
The work associated with this position will be performed by telecommuting with some field work and onsite meetings. The frequency of onsite work will be informed by business needs. Employees will have access to shared workspaces as needed at various King County facilities. Employee must reside in WA 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. Please note, that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
Work Location: Primarily teleworking and the King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104.
Work Schedule: This position is not exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible. This full-time position works a 40-hour work week, typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Evening and weekend work may occasionally be required.
- Job Duties
- Effectively collaborate with other professional staff and diverse, multidisciplinary teams to identify problems and implement solutions related to river and floodplain management.
- Serve as lead team member providing geomorphic and geologic expertise for studies to interpret, characterize and map probable future channel migration hazard areas based on historical migration rates, patterns and field conditions.
- Assist with assessing damages to flood protection facilities in post-flood condition and help evaluate the urgency of repair needs, the consequences of potential facility failures and the effects of sediment and large wood accumulations. Participate in the development of emergency repair strategies.
- Interpret soils and groundwater investigations, engineering geology and geotechnical analyses and scientific reports by others and their importance to King County flood risk reduction projects and programs.
- Work on multiple, diverse teams to collect, analyze and interpret data to monitor sediment transport and evaluate its effect on flood hazards and evaluate sediment management alternatives.
- Prepare comprehensive reports, technical memorandums, mapping and presentations for various technical and non-technical audiences to effectively summarize geologic information and communicate findings.
- Organize and oversee field investigations, assessments, river reach analyses, data collection and field sampling to characterize geomorphic processes and flood protection facility stability.
- Develop and oversee scientific and technical consultant contract work scopes involving geologic, geomorphic, engineering geology investigations of riverine or floodplain processes.
- Participate in flood facility inspections, flood warning and patrols, and flood-related emergency response programs and activities including response to landslide and earthquake events.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Our Ideal Candidate have the Following Competencies:
- Collaboration - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
- Manages Complexity– Make sense of complex, high quality, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
- Communicates Effectively– Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences and meets expectations for position.
- Plans and Aligns– Planning and prioritizing multiple work efforts to meet organizational goals.
- Nimble Learning– Actively learning through experimentation, questioning and analysis of both successes and failures.
- Tech Savvy– Comfortable learning and applying new technologies and research to improve project outcomes.
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Earth Science, Geology or Engineering Geology, or satisfaction of the educational requirements for a Washington State Geologist License as specified by WAC 308-15-040(2).
- Washington State Geology License and the ability to obtain Engineering Specialty license within 2 years of King County employment date.
- At least four years of post-college work experience associated with geology, fluvial geomorphology, landslide and steep slope hazards, and/or related disciplines within engineering geology.
- Understanding of the principles and practices of fluvial geomorphology.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, on technical and policy issues related to floodplain management with diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
- Understanding of the need to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary project teams, and to work effectively and cooperatively across many levels of stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience in preparing written material and graphics for analytical studies, design reports, articles and/or presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Skilled in Microsoft Office, Teams and ArcGIS software.
- Ability to effectively plan, organize and prioritize work on a daily basis, and the ability to work on multiple tasks accurately.
- Ability to work independently and is capable of performing all expected duties in a full-time telework environment.
Desired Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master of Science degree in Earth Science, Geology, Engineering Geology, Geomorphology.
- Demonstrated experience in the practice of fluvial geomorphology, including methods to characterize channel form and processes and the interactions of soil, sediment, and wood (both natural and engineered).
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the principles and practices of engineering geology such as field and laboratory investigation techniques, slope stability assessment and analyses, groundwater and geotechnical evaluations.
- Demonstrated experience successfully managing consultant contracts including preparation of scopes of work, schedules and budgets, and managing tasks or projects through to completion.
- Skilled in geologic applications of GIS software (ArcGIS Pro preferred) and Python programming for GIS.
- Knowledge and understanding of the King County Flood Hazard Management Plan and the River and Floodplain Management program, guiding principles and policies and its program implementation through the King County Flood Control District; and familiarity with county, state and federal flood hazard codes and regulations.
- A valid Washington State Driver's License and the ability to travel throughout King County in a timely manner, or the ability to obtain a Washington State Driver's License within 30 days of employment.
- The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment physical.
- Supplemental Information
Physical Requirements:
This position requires the ability to work outside conducting physical site inspections and evaluations, including in times of inclement weather conditions. There is often a need to walk on uneven terrain for extended periods. Field conditions include brushy, forested environments; river, stream, and wetland corridors; and slippery, uneven surfaces and adverse outdoor weather conditions. Work tasks may also include in-water situations involving wading and the use of rafts or canoes.
Work Environment:
Heavy workloads, deadline pressure, and interruptions due to changing priorities are not uncommon. Projects may occasionally require evening, weekend, or holiday work, often during the fall and winter months during inclement weather conditions.
Application and Selection Process: Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application, cover letter and resume, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Application without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.
- King County Application
- Resume
- Cover Letter detailing your background and what you can bring to this position
CONTACT: For questions about this recruitment, contact:
Calvin Rivers
crivers@kingcounty.gov
206-477-4740.
Forbes recently 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.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:- submit proof of vaccination, or
- have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.
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:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- 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: King County employees are eligible to 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
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
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. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
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.
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01Are 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.
02If 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 layoff03If selected, how would this position align with your short-and-long-term career growth and development goals?04What challenges do you expect working in the full-time, permanent teleworking environment, particularly around conducting routine and emergent field work such as responding quickly to flood and landslide events?Required Question