Environmental Scientist III
- Summary
The Department of Local Services (DLS), Road Services Division (RSD), is looking for a talented Environmental Scientist III who is interested in career development. The position will lead and prepare environmental documentation and apply for permits/approvals related to capital improvement projects (CIP) and maintenance projects. This position will also apply technical and scientific expertise in the areas of wetland assessment, wildlife habitat characterization, and mitigation site monitoring and management.
First round of interviews is tentatively scheduled for the week of October 10, 2022
Scope of Job Duties: 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 technical environmental documents. This includes, but is not limited to, Biological Assessments and supporting documentation for Endangered Species Act (ESA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews.
- Apply for local, state, and federal permits/approvals in support of CIP and maintenance projects.
- Perform Critical Areas review, including wetland delineations and ratings, ordinary high water mark (OHWM) delineations, and wildlife habitat assessment, characterization, and mapping.
- Coordinate with the Agency Review Team (ART) regarding project-specific permitting requirements.
- Lead RSD’s mitigation monitoring program, including the design, implementation, maintenance, and closeout of mitigation monitoring plans for wetland and riparian restoration associated with transportation projects.
- Analyze, interpret, and apply local, state, and federal laws/regulations and department policies to ensure project compliance.
- Review and coordinate complex engineering plans and specifications to ensure project compliance with permitting requirements and environmental regulations.
- Prepare and review draft responses to proposed legislation, community or county plans, and other agency proposals that may impact RSD projects or operations.
- Develop and negotiate environmental review processes, impact avoidance designs, and mitigation measures for complex, high-profile, and high-risk projects.
- Oversee and coordinate the development of work team goals, strategies, work quality, and schedules that facilitate EU performance, and provide the EU Supervisor with progress reports.
- Lead ES I and II staff, including the facilitation of mentoring and training.
- Accomplish job duties with an equity mindset.
- Perform additional duties or special projects as assigned.
- A Bachelor's degree in environmental science, civil engineering, or closely related field; OR an equivalent background of education and experience.
- Knowledge of western Washington ecology and environmental issues including wetlands, streams, riparian areas, and applied knowledge of the hydrology, hydraulics, and geomorphology related to these systems.
- Knowledge of temporary and permanent erosion control methods, including stream dewatering/bypass procedures and knowledge of BMPs designed and installed in accordance with the Regional Road Maintenance ESA Program Guidelines.
- Working knowledge of RSD’s Prism database, Project Management Manual (or similar databases and manuals), and purview of Clearing and Grading Programmatic Permit use by RSD for maintenance projects, or similar systems.
- Initiative to manage a high volume of diverse assignments and projects and ability to handle multiple competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
- Knowledge of Federal Highway Administration NEPA and 4F regulations and compliance.
- Knowledge of local/state/federal environmental regulations and review processes, plus local/state/federal permitting and approval processes.
- Ability to apply King County Green Building Ordinance and sustainability measures for program and project compliance.
- Skill in reading and interpreting engineering plans.
- Proficiency in the use of ESRI ArcMap; Adobe Acrobat Pro, Microsoft Office Software.
- Ability to work under tight deadlines and to perform physically demanding tasks in the field, often in inclement weather or other harsh field conditions.
- Knowledge of the determinants of equity and support of the County’s anti-racism and pro-equity agenda.
- A proven and action-oriented commitment to evolve self-awareness of racism, racialized systems, positional power, privilege and the realities of race and other socially defined categories (such as gender, gender identity, etc.).
- Strong ability to communicate orally and in writing, to diverse audiences in a meaningful way, including to both line staff and executive leadership teams.
- This position is represented by PTE Local 17
- This position is non-exempt and is overtime-eligible.
- Competitive – healthcare plans
- Free – transportation options
- Manager Support – structured employee assistance program
- Paid – vacation time (in addition to paid holidays)
- Paid – sick leave
- Paid – parental leave
- Deferred – compensation plan
- Twelve – paid holidays
- Awesome Employee Giving Program!
- Supplemental Information
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.
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.
Are you ready 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.
The recruitment for this position is open to all King County applicants. A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a cover letter and resume.
If you have any questions, please contact Jen Irwin, Senior HR Analyst, by e-mail at jirwin@kingcounty.gov or by phone at 206-263-0601. Connect with Jen on LinkedIn.
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 layoffRequired Question