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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 hire 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 Water Quality Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Senior Hydrogeologist position. This position is located in our Southwest Regional Office in Lacey, WA.

We’re looking for a hydrogeologist who understands complex ground water mechanics and fate and transport of pollutants moving through the aquifers of southwestern Washington. 

In this role, you will be the Southwest Regional Office’s expert on hydrogeology and ground water quality. You’ll work with scientists and engineers, developers, local government officials and staff, and the public to protect our ground water resources by evaluating and predicting impacts of industrial and municipal wastewater discharges to land, including land treatment systems and reclaimed water infiltration facilities. 

As our Senior Hydrogeologist, you will analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of existing systems and potential impacts of proposed systems, and develop actions needed to adequately monitor and protect our aquifers from degradation. You’ll also get to collaborate with hydrogeologists from other regional offices on unique projects with statewide significance, as well as develop rules, policies, and guidance to support the Ground Water Quality Standards. Put your experience and training as a licensed hydrogeologist to work for your fellow Washingtonians and help us protect these valuable resources!

The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington's waters to support healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures state waters can support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.  

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. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding building occupancy, mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 
 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of December 1, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before November 30, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Duties

What makes this role unique?
In this role, you will be the Southwest Regional Office’s expert on hydrogeology and ground water quality on the west side of the Cascades, from the Olympic Peninsula to the Columbia River. You will routinely apply your expertise to evaluate and implement permits discharging to the ground, including reclaimed water permits. You will also be called on to support other regional work projects with a nexus to ground water quality.

In addition to this region-specific work, you’ll represent the southwest region on workgroups with your peers from other regional offices in statewide efforts to develop rules, policies, and guidance documents related to the Ground Water Quality Rule (Chapter 173-200 Washington Administrative Code) and to discuss and evaluate projects or proposals that impact our work statewide.


What you'll do: 
In this position, you will plan and conduct hydrogeological projects or investigations, focusing on water quality permits that discharge to the ground. You will:

  • Review hydrogeological assessments to evaluate the impacts various proposed projects have on ground water quality.
  • Help other staff and regulated entities understand Ground Water Quality Standards.
  • Review other hydrogeologists' work and provide advice to support reclaimed water rule development and implementation, aquifer storage and recovery proposals, anti-degradation assessments and proposals, and petroleum resource development proposals.
  • Help the Watershed Unit and the Water Cleanup Unit with assessing hydrogeological conditions and data related to ground water complaints and other ground water protection activities.
  • Draft the ground water sections of water quality permits.
  • Conduct ground water sampling, and help other staff and regulated facilities with sampling methodologies or techniques.

Qualifications

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

Option 1:
  • A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field.
  • Five (5) years of professional experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist, or closely allied profession. 
Experience may include a combination of the following:
  • Providing hydrogeological review and analysis of water quality or quantity problems
  • Preparing and drafting hydrogeological cross sections, or locating and mapping contaminant migration in ground water
  • Analyzing hydrogeological data, interpreting results, and overseeing various phases of project development or implementation
  • Preparing and conducting ground water sampling studies or field work on pump tests, slug tests, aquifer tests, and tracer studies to determine hydrogeological characteristics such as potentiometric surface, seasonal water level variability, hydraulic conductivity, storage coefficient, dispersivity, velocity and direction of ground water flow, and well interference

Option 2:
  • A Master's degree involving major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field.
  • Three (3) years of professional experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist, or closely allied profession. 
Experience may include a combination of the following:
  • Providing hydrogeological review and analysis of water quality or quantity problems
  • Preparing and drafting hydrogeological cross sections, or locating and mapping contaminant migration in ground water
  • Analyzing hydrogeological data, interpreting results, and overseeing various phases of project development or implementation
  • Preparing and conducting ground water sampling studies or field work on pump tests, slug tests, aquifer tests, and tracer studies to determine hydrogeological characteristics such as potentiometric surface, seasonal water level variability, hydraulic conductivity, storage coefficient, dispersivity, velocity and direction of ground water flow, and well interference
 
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 
  • Must have a Washington State Hydrogeologist specialty license
  • Must have a Driver's License


Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

  • Experience respectfully communicating complex, technical, or controversial issues with stakeholders, other organizations, other scientists and peers, or the public. This could include:
  • Listening to various perspectives, and working toward building shared understanding
  • Explaining technical or scientific information in a way that can be understood by people without a background in these subjects
  • Presenting at professional conferences
  • Experience applying negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
  •  
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

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.

NOTE: Must possess or become a Licensed Hydrogeologist in the State of Washington within 6 months after hiring. 
 
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 Steve Ogle at: Steven.Ogle@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Steve 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:

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.