Senior Hydrogeologist 4

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Senior Hydrogeologist 4 position. This position can be located in either our Northwest Regional Office (NWRO) located in Shoreline, WA or our Bellingham Field Office in Bellingham, WA. This depends on where the finalist resides or will be residing.

In this role, you will be responsible for reviewing and evaluating the cleanup of contaminated sites by overseeing the investigation of site geology and hydrogeology as a site leader or a technical expert to other site cleanup teams. You will provide expert opinions and direction to improve plans, provides technical assistance, guidance, oversight and approval on professional hydrogeological analysis on contaminated cleanup sites. As the technical expert this position will review regulatory and technical documents for completeness and will provide final professional hydrogeology review and approval of associated groundwater modeling, reports, designs, plans, and specifications.
 
Agency and Program Mission: Ecology’s mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment, and promote the wise management of our air, land and water. The agency’s goals are to prevent pollution, clean up pollution and support sustainable communities and natural resources. The mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is to protect human health and the environment for the people of Washington by preventing, reducing, or eliminating exposure to contamination to support the development of environmentally, economically sustainable communities and address environmental justice issues within our highly impacted communities.

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embrace the value of people.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

• A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
• A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.



 
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
   

  Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

   

  Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

   

  Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

   

  Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

   
  We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 
  
  During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Once on-boarded, this position is expected to work in the office 2 days a week or more as needed to meet the business needs. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding building occupancy, mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 

  
  Please Note: The salary posted above does not include the additional 5% premium pay that this position will receive if the position's final location is in King County (Shoreline).     

   

  Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of January 17, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before January 16, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

   

   

  Duties

   

   

  

   

  The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) has a supportive work environment of open communication, innovation, and collaboration. We strongly believe that professional growth and development supports a healthy and productive work force. We have an inclusive and clearly-defined professional development program that can help all staff reach their full potential. This professional development program shifts TCP’s focus from simply meeting CORE training requirements, to investing in the long-term growth and development of its staff.

  In Washington State, we've identified over 13,000 contaminated sites in need of cleanup and oversight by our professional teams. Over 7,000 of those sites have been cleaned up, and 200 to 300 new sites are reported every year. Most of these sites are large and complex, with multiple sources of contamination. Many of these complex sites have multiple sources of contamination in soil and groundwater. Most contaminated sites in Washington are handled by our Toxics Cleanup Program and are cleaned up under Washington’s environmental cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA). Property owners may clean-up sites independently or under Ecology supervision. Ecology can also clean-up sites. In this role you will become an essential member of our amazing team.

  What makes this role unique? 

  In this role, you will conduct site visits, review regulatory and technical documents and apply hydrogeology experience and project management skills to the section's largest, most complex, and/or controversial (conflicting needs/opinions while implementing a wide range of technological approaches) formal contaminated sites in the region including sites with air, soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment and uplands cleanup components.

  
  What you will do: 
   
• Pursue the cleanup of contaminated sites as one of the principle regional hydrogeologist and site managers of contaminated sites by implementing applicable statutes, administrative codes, and agency guidance and policy related to remedial investigations, feasibility studies, remedial design, and remedial action. 
• Serve as hydrogeology specialist providing technical assistance and guidance on project management teams to evaluate proposed projects and facilities to ensure sound hydrogeologic judgment and principles are used in the development of policies, regulations, and designs. Provide technical assistance in specialty areas associated with the planning, design, construction, and/or startup of assigned environmental projects. 
• Research and apply conventional hydrogeology techniques and principles. Perform final professional hydrogeology review and approval of associated groundwater modeling, reports, designs, plans, and specifications. Develop cleanup strategies for complex sites. Communicate complex concepts clearly. 
• Use geology and hydrogeology expertise and site manager experience to oversee and direct cleanup for contaminated sites where contaminated groundwater is discharging to surface water.  
• Review and conduct groundwater modeling activities conducted by you or others, evaluating results and recommending responses and determine whether submitted hydrogeologic characterizations are complete and accurate. Determine whether appropriate computer modeling practices were applied and whether accurate conclusions were drawn. 
• Procure and manage contracts to prepare sampling and analysis plans, source evaluations, and investigations, and conduct sampling for high-priority projects. 
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  Qualifications

   

  Required Qualifications:
  Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment and educational experience. See below for how you may qualify.

  Option 1: 
  A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field AND Five years of professional experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist, or closely allied profession.
   
  Option 2: 
  A Master's degree with a major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field AND Three years of professional experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist, or closely allied profession.  
   
  Option 3: 
  A Ph.D. with a major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field AND Two years of professional experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist, or closely allied profession.  
   
  Registration as licensed hydrogeologist in the State of Washington.

  NOTE:  Individuals who are interested in applying to this position, and believe they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington based on reciprocity, are responsible for ensuring they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington prior to submitting their application materials. These requirements can be found at the following website:  WA State Licensing (DOL) Official Site: How to get your license: Geologists, engineering geologists, or hydrogeologists by reciprocity.

  Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 
   
  • Washington State driver's license
  • Must complete 40-hour hazardous materials training and 8-hour annual hazwaste worker training within six months of appointment. The Department of Ecology will cover the cost of this training.
  • Possession of a valid Washington State Geologist license.
  
  Desired Qualifications:
  We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
  
  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, project management skills, and meeting facilitation skills.
   
  Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

   

   

   

  Supplemental Information

  
  Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
  
  
  Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?
   

  • Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
  • If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
  • If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.   
  Application Instructions:
  
  It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.
   
  • A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
  • A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
  • Three professional references.
  
  Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  
   
  For Your Privacy:
  When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):
   
• Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
• Do not attach documents that are password protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 


• Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees: 
   
  Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.
  
  Application Attestation: 
  
  The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 
  
  Other Information:

  If you have specific questions about the position, please email Bob Warren at: bob.warren@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Bob to inquire about the status of your application.
   
  To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

   

  Why work for Ecology?
  
  As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.
  
  Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.
  
  Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
  Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information 
  
  Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
  The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

  To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

  
  Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

   

  Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

  
  Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.