Environmental Scientist IV (Ecological Services Team)
- Summary
WHO MAY APPLY: This is an internal posting. This is open to all Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) employees.
REQUIRED MATERIALS TO APPLY: Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.
- King County application (applying online satisfies this requirement)
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Responses to supplemental questions
King County values diverse perspectives, life experiences, and differences. The Water and Land Resources Division encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans. We are committed to being equitable and fair in providing equal access to opportunities for all.
- Job Duties
This Environmental Scientist IV position will be located in the River and Floodplain Management Section (RFMS) within the Water and Land Resources Division, and will involve supervising a team of scientists performing a variety of programmatic and capital project assignments in river and floodplain areas. This position will serve as a first level supervisor and technical lead in river and floodplain ecology, fisheries, wetland ecology, and aquatic and riparian habitats and floodplain landscapes. The position will oversee assignments on a wide variety of multi-benefit projects, programs, and special studies related to reducing the risks to people and property from flood-related hazards. This position will collaborate with other RFMS and WLRD supervisors to arrange for staff resources to carry out work assignments. This position offers the opportunity to work across the county with responsibility to provide ecological services for projects and programs recommendations identified in the King County Flood Hazard Management Plan through the King County Flood Control Zone District. Additional information on the adopted 2006 Flood Plan is available on King County's web site at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/flooding/documents/flood-hazard-management-plan.aspx, and the King County Flood Control Zone District at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/flooding/flood-control-zone-district.aspx
Primary Job Duties:
- Supervise and direct the work assignments of environmental scientists in the ecological services team.
- Collaborate with other supervisors, technical experts and project managers to arrange staff support for capital projects, environmental studies and monitoring activities.
- Monitor work performance; mentor and coach assigned staff.
- Provide strategic direction and oversight to ensure completeness and technical adequacy of work products for project design components, special studies and construction specifications.
- Oversee and coordinate monitoring activities and assignments, such as data collection, analyses and report preparation as related to the RFMS Monitoring Framework.
- Assist RFMS management team on complex and highly sensitive issues related to capital improvement projects, environmental investigations, permitting strategies and outreach.
- Effectively collaborate with Tribal representatives, and federal, state and local permitting agencies.
- Coordinate with WLRD staff as part of the Division's fish passage program.
- Assist with the RFMS's use of project management tools, templates and techniques.
- Serve as a technical resource in river or floodplain ecology, aquatic biology, riparian habitats, fisheries, landscape architecture or similar related fields.
- Assist in developing scopes of work, schedules and budgets for consultant contracts and construction bids to conduct technical studies, collect scientific data, support design and engineering analyses, prepare permitting, provide construction management services and construct capital projects.
- Make presentations or write technical reports and issue papers for various technical and non-technical audiences to summarize and convey project and special study findings.
- Participate in the flood warning program and emergency response activities, including conducting site investigations, assessing issues regarding large wood accumulations and developing recommendations related to emergency flood-response actions.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Our ideal candidate will have the following competencies:
- Planning and organizing: Anticipates and adjusts for problems; can marshal resources; uses resources effectively and efficiently; evaluates results; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal.
- Interpersonal savvy and approachability: Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down sideways, in and outside of the organization; Builds rapport and is a good listener; puts others at ease; builds effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact.
- Organizational Agility: Knows how organizations work and can get things done both through formal channels and informal network.
- Comfort around management: Can craft approaches likely to be seen as appropriate and positive; encourages direct and tough debate toward an end point; can present to others without undue tension.
- Technical Skills: Has the functional and technical knowledge and skill to accomplish the duties of the position.
- Conflict management: Reads situations quickly and can settle disputes equitably; can find command ground.
- Build Effective and Diverse Teams: Creates strong morale; manages all kinds and classes of people equitably; fosters open dialogue.
Competitive Candidates Will Have:
- Bachelor of Science degree in river or floodplain ecology, aquatic biology, ecology, fisheries, environmental engineering, fluvial geomorphology, landscape architecture or related field, and at least 10 years of increasingly responsible environmental program or project work that is applicable to the primary job functions of this position OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience successfully serving as technical lead or project manager for large, complex multi-year capital projects related to habitat restoration and the river and floodplain environment.
- Advanced level knowledge of wetland, fish, stream, river and/or floodplain ecology and riparian landscapes in the Puget Sound lowlands.
- Demonstrated ability in preparing and tracking scopes, schedules and budgets, and experience in coordinating monitoring activities and preparing comprehensive effectiveness monitoring reports.
- Demonstrated knowledge of regulatory requirements, tribal interests and permitting strategies.
- Experience developing, managing and providing quality assurance for consultant and contractor contracts and deliverables.
- Experience using project management techniques and templates comparable to the Water and Land Resources Division Project Management Manual.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the King County Flood Hazard Management Plan and its program implementation through the King County Flood Control District
- Ability to exercise proper tact and judgment in the field and in the office, to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, in outdoors under adverse conditions and to successfully resolve conflicts in the conduct of work activities with coworkers and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to write and communicate clearly and effectively with senior staff, landowners, varied levels of staff from local jurisdictions, consultants, Tribes, and other floodplain stakeholders.
- Supplemental Information
Desirable qualifications, experience and knowledge:
- Advanced education in ecology, environmental science, river or floodplain ecology, aquatic biology, fisheries, fluvial geomorphology, landscape architecture, water resources, or closely related field relevant to riverine projects and studies.
- Prior supervisory experience; overseeing work and managing workload of technical staff.
- Knowledge of regional salmon recovery plans, strategies and experience with technical and advisory committees.
- Experience working on complex projects and programs with federal, state and local agencies and tribal governments.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully apply conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- A valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to travel throughout the County in a timely manner.
- A final offer of employment will be contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment physical examination.
- Ability to complete King County provided Swiftwater Rescue Training course within 6 months of employment.
- Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with occasional time spent performing field work. Participation in flood warning and emergency response programs and activities typically involve short-term work in excess of 12 hours per day and during all hours of the day that may include evenings, weekends and holidays. Heavy workloads, deadline pressure and interruptions due to changing priorities are not uncommon.
UNION MEMBERSHIP: Positions in this classification are represented by PROTEC, Local 17.
CONTACT: For questions about this recruitment, please contact:
Michelle Kobuki, HR Analyst
michelle.kobuki@kingcounty.gov
206-477-4740
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS: The supplemental questions must be completed and submitted with the application. These questions address important elements of these positions and the information you provide will help to determine your eligibility for further consideration.
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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01Please describe your experience and philosophy on developing and leading teams, planning and assigning work and providing employee feedback.02Please describe your experience in addressing and resolving a regulatory issue as related to environmental permitting to comply with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, or other State and Local environmental regulations.03Describe your experience serving in a lead role of a team that planned, designed and implemented a riverine flood risk reduction or aquatic habitat restoration project. Include how your experience and understanding of river aquatic and riparian habitat requirements influenced the project's design and permitting approach.
Required Question