Snoqualmie (WRIA 7) Technical Coordinator
- Summary
The Snoqualmie Technical Coordinator position offers an opportunity to work collaboratively with a unique and diverse community of local government and tribal partners and other stakeholders and support implementation of salmon recovery in the Snohomish River watershed (WRIA 7). This position is responsible for delivering strong technical support to help guide actions to protect and restore the Snoqualmie and South Fork Skykomish rivers in the King County portion of the watershed. This position is part of a staff team that is funded primarily through an Inter Local Agreement (ILA) among local and tribal governments, with the team providing the technical, policy, and planning support necessary to implement the priorities of the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum, including the Snohomish River Basin Salmon Conservation Plan (Snohomish Plan). The Snohomish Plan has a strong technical foundation and guides actions to be taken to help recover salmon in the watershed. The Plan incorporates a monitoring and adaptive management component that helps track progress and identify if/when adjustments to implementation strategies are needed.
We are looking for a resourceful, effective, and outcome-focused team player who can coordinate with multiple partners and technical experts to identify various technical and policy issues affecting salmon recovery in the Snoqualmie watershed and develop meaningful solutions to the most pressing challenges. This position will also work to integrate with Snohomish watershed and regional salmon recovery efforts. The ideal candidate is someone who can advance scientific inquiry and apply science to inform natural resource management policies, regulations, programs, and strategies. Additionally, the most successful candidates will have a demonstrated ability to work well with others, be a high performer, and bring a sense of humor to their work. For more information about the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum, please visit our website at https://www.govlink.org/watersheds/7/.
WHO MAY APPLY: This temporary position is open to all qualified applicants. If the successful applicant is a King County Career Service employee, this position will be offered as a special duty assignment.
DURATION: This is benefit eligible temporary position; this position is anticipated to end December 31, 2020.
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
- Serve as lead technical analyst for the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum, responsible for coordinating technical and monitoring activities with local jurisdictions, tribes, state and federal agencies, stakeholders, and other partners in the watershed.
- Coordinate, facilitate, and provide staff support to the WRIA 7 Technical Committee in guiding and advising on technical aspects of implementing the Snohomish River Basin Salmon Conservation Plan (Snohomish Plan).
- Lead and manage development and implementation of the Snoqualmie Monitoring Plan, including scope, schedule and budget, developing targets and data gathering approaches, marshaling resources for planning and data collection, and synthesizing data for adaptive management and reporting purposes. Participate in developing and implementing Snohomish monitoring and technical assessments and plans.
- Coordinate reporting and communications on monitoring data and progress on implementing the Snohomish Plan, specifically related to King County salmon population and habitat restoration goals.
- Prepare reports and presentations that identify critical trends and developments (e.g., salmon populations, ecosystem/habitat conditions, policy, regulatory, programmatic) and adaptive management recommendations requiring potential action by the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum or Snohomish Basin Salmon Recovery Forum.
- Coordinate and spearhead efforts to address technical/information gaps identified in the Snohomish Plan and/or Snoqualmie monitoring plan, or which emerge during implementation.
- Provide technical support for, and review of, various policy and implementation topics, including preparing comment letters, issue papers, briefings and presentations.
- Participate on WRIA 7 and Snoqualmie project ranking subcommittees to evaluate and prioritize grant proposals for funding.
- Manage professional service contracts including procurement, contracting and contract oversight to carry out specific technical tasks.
- Seek funding (e.g., grants) and partnerships to support technical/monitoring activities.
- In conjunction with the Snoqualmie Project Coordinator, assist partners in bringing large, complex projects to implementation by providing inter-agency networking, advocacy and technical support.
- Provide technical guidance for projects to implement and adaptively manage the Snohomish Plan.
- Coordinate regularly with King County Science Section and others to stay informed about technical/science work and initiatives relevant to salmon recovery in WRIA 7.
- Coordinate and promote WRIA 7 monitoring and technical priorities with regional-scale efforts, as appropriate.
- Work with the Snoqualmie staff team and partners to organize and implement advocacy efforts for federal, state, and other funding. This can include organizing and conducting field trips, presentations, and tours.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
The most competitive candidates will have the following qualifications:
Education and Knowledge- Bachelor's degree in fisheries biology, conservation biology, freshwater ecology, natural resources management, environmental science, public administration, environmental planning, or closely related field (or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities as described).
- Five years of progressively responsible analytical, planning, and project management work experience in one or more of the listed fields.
- Experience and demonstrated strong technical understanding of salmonid ecology and associated freshwater and marine environments (e.g., salmon habitat requirements, salmon lifecycle, current threats and issues related to salmon survival and recovery, etc.).
- Resourceful, with demonstrated ability to grasp issues quickly, take initiative, and operate independently and as a member of a team to accomplish objectives.
- Familiarity with basic research and monitoring methods and analytical tools (e.g., monitoring program design, statistical analysis, field-based and remote sensing monitoring protocols, etc.).
- Familiarity with standard watershed health metrics and indices (e.g., water quality index, wood volume, vegetative canopy cover, etc.).
- Some familiarity with standard fish sampling procedures and age and life history tracking methods (e.g., electrofishing, spawning surveys, otolith and scale sampling)
- Familiarity with principles and practices of restoration ecology as applied to salmon habitat restoration.
- Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences and decision-makers.
- Experience working with elected officials and local and tribal government staff.
- Experience and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and maintain effective working relationships with multiple, diverse groups representing varying perspectives (e.g., various local government departments, local, state, and federal agencies, community organizations, tribes, businesses, farmers and the public).
- Experience facilitating groups, developing meeting agendas, running meetings, and documenting meeting activities and follow-up needs.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and secure resources to implement and accomplish objectives.
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as GIS software (e.g., ArcMap).
- Supplemental Information
DESIRED EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:- Master's degree in related field.
- Demonstrated experience in leading teams in technical studies.
- Demonstrated experience presenting information to diverse audiences.
- Familiarity and experience with the Puget Sound regional approach to Chinook salmon recovery and the entities involved in salmon recovery and watershed management, especially in WRIA 7.
- A valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
- Ability to travel throughout King County and Puget Sound as necessary.
FORMS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED:
- King County application (Applying online satisfies this requirement)
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Response to supplemental questions
WORK SCHEDULE: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is not overtime eligible. This position is based on a 40-hour work week, typically 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Attendance at evening and weekend events is occasionally required.
WORK LOCATION: King Street Center, 201 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104
SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants meeting qualifications will be screened based upon the clarity, completeness, content, grammar and punctuation of their application materials. Selection process may also include written and/or computer exams, telephone interview, panel interview, references and final interviews.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS: The 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. Please limit your response to no more than one page per question.
UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is represented by Teamsters, Local 117 Professional & Technical.
JOB CLASSIFICATION: Project/Program Manager III
CONTACT: For questions about this recruitment, please contact:
Michelle Kobuki, HR Analyst
michelle.kobuki@kingcounty.gov
206-477-4740
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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01Describe your experience writing technical briefings or policy documents intended to advise decision-making. Please discuss the elements that you would include in a briefing to convey technical information to non-technical audiences for decision-making.02Describe an example in which you were in a lead role and worked with diverse interest groups and fostered partnerships to move a large project or challenging initiative forward. Please discuss the process you used, including any challenges, and the results.
Required Question