Environmental Scientist III
- Summary
King County's new Department of Local Services (DLS), is currently recruiting for an Environmental Scientist III to join the Road Services Division, Maintenance Section Environmental Unit to apply technical, scientific, and planning expertise related to environmental documentation and permitting. The work is to support design, permitting, construction, and monitoring of transportation infrastructure projects, to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
ABOUT KING COUNTY
As the only county in the United States named after Martin Luther King Jr, one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. Together, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.
We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking and continuous improvement. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all of our residents, regardless of their race or income. All of these qualities make King County one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
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. 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.
WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified candidate.
WORK LOCATION: 155 Monroe Ave., NE, Renton
WORK SCHEDULE: Monday – Friday; 8 hr/day, 40hr/week, 8 – 5 p.m. This position is non-exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible. Working extended shifts, after-hours, weekends, and holidays may be required in emergency circumstances, such as during inclement weather and/or on special projects. Overtime hours, weekends, and holidays vary upon business demand, season and weather.
APPLICATION MATERIALS: (1) Completed King County Application, (2) Resume, (3) Detailed Cover Letter describing how your experiences will benefit the organization, and (4) Supplemental Questionnaire.
QUESTIONS: Contact Madeline Canning-Kaplan at madeline.canning-kaplan@kingcounty.gov or (206) 477-3721.
- Job Duties
- Develop and review technical environmental documents and local, state, and federal permits/approvals in support of capital improvement, maintenance, and monitoring projects and programs.
- Provide environmental technical support for managers, project managers, and engineering and environmental staff.
- Analyze, interpret local, state, and federal laws and department policies to ensure program and project compliance with SEPA/NEPA, permit/approval requirements for complex engineering plans and specifications standards.
- Perform ecological studies and associated field work in support of environmental documentation for a variety of Road Service Division's projects.
- Write responses on behalf of Road Service Division, to proposed legislation, community and county plans, private developments, and other agency proposals that may impact maintenance plans and projects.
- Develop, coordinate and/or schedule reviews of complex engineering plans and specifications, related to project designs and their environmental impacts.
- Develop and negotiate environmental review processes, impact avoidance designs, and mitigation measures for complex, high-profile, and high-risk projects.
- Lead and effectively participate in meetings with staff, consultants, management, and regulatory agencies.
- Oversee and coordinate the development of work team goals, strategies, work quality, and schedules that facilitate EU performance and provide EU Supervisor with progress reports.
- Develop and assist in workshops/seminars throughout the year to advance staff knowledge.
- Provide ongoing, back-up project support for EU staff and management.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Bachelor of Science degree in Science, Environmental Engineering, Planning, Ecology, or any other related field OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the work.
- Minimum of 3 years of working progressively more responsible senior level professional experience in the field of environmental science and planning; OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the work.
- Minimum of 5 years working on environmental technical documents and permitting of capital improvement projects, including federally funded projects.
- Experience serving as an environmental and permitting lead serving as the point of contact/consulting with government agencies, engineers, and consultants.
- 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.
- Knowledge of and experience applying King County Green Building Ordinance and sustainability measures for program and project compliance.
- Knowledge in project management techniques and principles to include budget, scope, and schedule development and monitoring.
- Skill in reading and interpreting engineering plans.
- Skill in ArcGIS/ArcMap.
- Skill in Microsoft Word, Excel, SharePoint Project, Powerpoint, and Access.
- Strong communication skills both orally and written.
- Analytical problem solving, and conflict resolution skills.
- Demonstrated team building skills: ability to lead, collaborate, work, and make decisions in a team environment.
- Skills in leading, mentoring, and training others.
- Skills in consultant contract development, negotiation, and management.
- Customer service skills.
- Demonstrates behaviors that include fairness, respect, inclusiveness, integrity, and ethical conduct
- Ability to work under tight deadlines.
- Ability to work in harsh field conditions, including traversing stream and wetlands, as well as along King County's Puget Sound shorelines.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and demands.
- Ability to have predictable and reliable attendance.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master of Science degree in fisheries, geomorphology, or Environmental Engineering.
- Fish passage design knowledge.
- Knowledge of roadway construction and maintenance issues and best management practices.
- Knowledge of western Washington environmental issues, native plants, wildlife, and habitat restoration techniques.
- Supplemental Information
- Selection Process: Applications will be screened for clarity, completeness and qualifications. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in an interview and a practical. Reference checks will be conducted.
Necessary Requirements:
- Successful applicants must have or obtain a valid driver's license from the state of Washington upon start date.
- An offer of employment will be contingent on the success of a pre-employment physical examination.
Union Representation: This position is represented by the Professional and Technical Employees, Local 17
We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans
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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01Do you have a Bachelor of Science degree in Science, Environmental Engineering, Planning, Ecology, or any other related field OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the work.
- Yes
- No
02Do you possess a Master of Science degree in fisheries, geomorphology, or Environmental Engineering?- Yes
- No
03Do you have a minimum of 3 years of working progressively more responsible senior level professional experience in the field of environmental science and planning?- Yes
- No
04Do you have a minimum of 5 years working on environmental technical documents and permitting of capital improvement projects, including federally funded projects?- Yes
- No
05Do you have experience serving as an environmental and permitting LEAD serving as the point of contact/consulting with government agencies, engineers, and consultants?06Do you have working knowledge of fish passage design?- Yes
- No
07Do you have working knowledge of roadway construction and maintenance issues?- Yes
- No
08Do you have working knowledge of western Washington environmental issues, native plants, wildlife, and habitat restoration techniques?- Yes
- No
09Do you have experience in the following (please check all that apply):- Develop and review technical environmental documents and local, state, and federal permits/approvals in support of capital improvement, maintenance, and monitoring projects and programs.
- Provide environmental technical support for managers, project managers, and engineering and environmental staff.
- Analyze, interpret local, state, and federal laws and department policies to ensure program and project compliance with SEPA/NEPA, permit/approval requirements for complex engineering plans and specifications standards.
- Perform ecological studies and associated field work in support of environmental documentation for a variety of projects.
- Write responses on behalf of organization, to proposed legislation, community and other plans, private developments, and other agency proposals that may impact plans and projects.
- Develop, coordinate and/or schedule reviews of complex engineering plans and specifications, related to project designs and their environmental impacts.
- Develop and negotiate environmental review processes, impact avoidance designs, and mitigation measures for complex, high-profile, and high-risk projects.
- None of the above.
Required Question