Hydrogeologist 4

  • Washington State Department of Ecology
  • Union Gap, Washington
  • May 03, 2023
Full time Public Policy Scientific Government Science

Job Description

An image without description
An image without description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Hydrogeologist 4 position. This position is located in our Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

In this role, you will plan, develop, direct, conduct and/or oversee hydrological/hydrogeological projects or investigations for surface water and/or groundwater investigations as well as supervise a technical group. You will be responsible for developing and implementing scientifically credible, well-coordinated Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), surface water quantity and quality studies designed to meet multiple agency objectives involving the management and regulation of Eastern Washington freshwater resources. You will get to see a lot of places in Central Washington and will gain valuable experience in water quantity and quality sampling issues, quality assurance and quality control, and interaction with the public. Future outlook for this position is promising since it usually leads to better career advancement opportunities.

Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment and to promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations.  

Program Mission: The Environmental Assessment Program  provides a range of scientific, monitoring, laboratory, and quality assurance services. Its mission is to measure, assess, and communicate environmental conditions in Washington State.

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position will be required to spend about 1-3 days per week in the office interacting with technical and field staff, and other programs managers/staff.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled; The next screening date will be on May 31, 2023. In order to be considered for the next screening, please submit an application on or before of May 30, 2023. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.  

 

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 ForgivenessTuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life InsuranceDeferred Compensation ProgramsDependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)Employee Assistance ProgramCommute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader)Combined Fund DriveSmartHealth *Click here for more information 

The Environmental Assessment Program pays for staff rain gear, waders, required PPEs, and work boots.

About the Department of Ecology

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 embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan
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.

Our commitment to DEIR
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. 

 

Duties

An image without description

What makes this role unique and challenging? 

You will serve as the senior hydrogeologist and project manager in the design and management of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) water quality studies to identify and evaluate the fate and transport of point- and nonpoint-source pollution within the state, including complex river and lake systems, and complex groundwater/surface water interactions as well as supervises a technical group. You will manage and direct the Central Regional Office Unit staff, which conducts Surface water, Groundwater, Stream Biological Habitat Assessment, and Effectiveness Monitoring studies in support of the agency’s water cleanup efforts.

What you will do:  

  • Plan, organize, conduct, and direct multiple major hydrologic and water quality field investigations evaluating the effects of point and non-point pollution sources on water quality in waters of the State. The investigations require an understanding and assessment of the hydrology, hydrogeology, water quality, and primary productivity of aquatic systems.
  • Serve as project manager of large, complex projects, set project objectives and plan/oversee the work of the project team, including other senior and junior staff, to reach the objectives on time and on budget. The project team typically collects and analyzes data on streamflow, water quality and other waterbody conditions. Trains project staff on the appropriate technical methods.
  • Research and select mathematical water quality and hydrologic models appropriate for the project objectives.
  • Analyze data by applying advanced statistical, water quality and hydrologic/hydrogeologic modeling techniques, and formulate and justify conclusions and recommendations.
  • Report status and results of water quality, hydrologic, hydrogeologic, and other studies and analyses to management, staff, public, and stakeholders in TMDL studies.
  • Direct and prepare publication of technical reports and present results to scientific audiences (e.g., conferences, universities, technical advisory groups). Draft reports are typically reviewed by external experts.
  • Defend scientific conclusions in legal setting if the report's conclusions are challenged on their technical merit.
  • Train other staff in surface water and hydrogeologic research and investigative techniques. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, 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, environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, 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, environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, or closely allied field AND Two years of professional experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist, or closely allied profession.

 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
  • Must possess a valid Washington State Hydrogeologist license.

NOTE: Individuals are responsible for ensuring they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington within the first six months of employment. 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.

 

Desired Qualifications:

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

Knowledge of:

  • Modeling experience i.e. QUAL2KW, Monte Carlo (YASAIw), Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP), SPARROW Model, BASINS and project management experience;
  • Surface water and groundwater movement and storage
  • Groundwater recharge, discharge, presence, extent, and migration of contaminants
  • 40 Hour Hazardous Materials operator certification


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 on 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 (such as 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. 

Per Governor Inslee’s Directive 22-13.1, state employees must be fully vaccinated effective November 4, 2022. Providing proof of being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment and your vaccine status will be verified prior to starting work. Being fully vaccinated means two weeks after you have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, licensed or otherwise authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or listed for emergency use or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  



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 Dr. George Onwumere at: George.Onwumere@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact George 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.

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. 

Occupations

Environmental Protection-Conservation

URL

Salary

$73,260.00 - $98,592.00 Annually

Listing Logo