Department of Ecology
Description:
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Watershed Health Monitoring Environmental Specialist 1 position within the Environmental Assessment Program for the Summer 2025 field season.
This is a temporary position that will start on June 2, 2025 and end no later than October 15, 2025. The end date is flexible and depends on how the field season goes. Students needing to return to school in the fall are still encouraged to apply.
Location:
The position is based out of Lacey, WA, with work primarily focused on the Snake River region with some sample sites statewide. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from Lacey, WA. Lacey is located in Thurston County, Washington State.
Schedule:
The schedule will consist of 10-hour shifts, with eight consecutive days working in the field followed by six days off. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
Application Timeline:
Apply by April 30, 2025
This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2025 may not be considered.
Duties:
In this role, you will conduct environmental sampling and support the Watershed Health Monitoring field leads by assisting in the organization of day-to-day data collection activities in the field. You will also aid in training the environmental technicians involved in this project. Key work activities include hiking, field navigation, biological monitoring, water quality sampling, habitat surveys, and using different types of monitoring equipment. The information that you collect will help assess the condition of streams and watersheds. The data is used to describe the status and trends of watershed health, lakes, and other environmental conditions to better inform natural resource conservation and management plans.
The Department of Ecology’s Watershed Health Monitoring program assesses streams and rivers across the state to obtain a consistent, objective picture of habitat and biological conditions. We sample eight regions in the state on a rotating basis. Our scientists assess watershed health in streams and rivers by evaluating the monitoring data for each region. You will directly support these ongoing data collection efforts as we survey streams and rivers in the Snake River region this summer.
What you will do:
- Ensure the unit’s field operations related to watershed health assessments are carried out efficiently and effectively.
- Maintain and organize field equipment, including multi-probe calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of the records log.
- Read and gain an in-depth understanding of quality assurance documents, standard operating procedures, and other required protocols in order to successfully implement field data collection events.
- Support the field lead in identifying opportunities to improve implementation of standard operating procedures.
- Oversee the completion of weekly field work preparation and wrap-up checklists.
- Assist with preparing and implementing daily and weekly scouting plans.
- Collect water quality samples.
- Help with habitat surveys, including collecting benthic macroinvertebrates, periphyton samples, and fish sampling.
- Aid in the end of day and end of week data review.
- Work in rugged and sometimes remote field locations for consecutive days under adverse weather conditions, including overnight stays and/or weekend work.
- Assist with boat operation duties.
Qualifications:
For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.
Required Qualifications:
- Four (4) years of experience and/or education as described below:
- Experience: performing environmental-based work.
- Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
- Experienced in gathering data on stream habitats, aquatic biology, and water quality.
- Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.
- Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.
- Conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.
- Education: involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning; or closely related field.
- Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Desired Qualifications:
- Coursework in Environmental Science, Fisheries Biology, Chemistry, Forestry, or related field.
- Experience collecting water samples and measuring streamflow, stream habitat assessment.
- Some experience with data analysis and data management.
- Good communication and writing skills.
- Freshwater community ecology and biological taxonomy and life history knowledge.
- Certification for First Aid/CPR.
- Ability to swim.
- Experience operating boats and related equipment.
- Navigation skills and experience using paper maps.
- A degree with a major study in stream/aquatic ecology, limnology, biological sciences, chemistry, or a closely-related field.
If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.
Physical Requirements:
- Work in rugged and sometimes remote field locations for consecutive days under adverse weather conditions, including overnight stays and/or weekend work.
- Traverse uneven and sometimes slippery terrain to access stream study sites.
- Ability to maneuver sampling equipment in a small boat.
- Safely navigate from parking area to office structures and outdoor sites.
- Work with a computer in a cubicle for long periods of time within an office environment.
- Read documents for accurate comprehension and action.
- Travel long distances statewide, including driving, in a car, van, or pickup truck, requiring extended periods of sitting.
- Navigate streambanks, streambeds, and flowing water to complete all measurements needed to sample a stream site.
- Lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to safely handle and transport non-motorized boats (rafts).
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
To apply for this job please visit www.governmentjobs.com.