Water Quality Standards & Hydropower Lead Scientist (Natural Resource Scientist 3)
The Water Quality Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Water Quality Standards and Hydropower Lead Scientist, located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
As our new Lead Scientist, you will work with a team to develop and implement marine and freshwater water quality criteria that protect state waters. You will rely heavily on your research skills, as well as your ability to communicate and discuss complex water quality science concepts.
What will you do:
Apply water quality science techniques to develop Washington State surface water standards in order to protect aquatic life, recreation, and other uses.
- Research and analyze water quality standards in relation to the federal Clean Water Act
- Remain current with the science, policies, and process associated with the development of water quality standards
- Determine water quality research project needs, goals, and objectives
- Define and direct studies and research projects, including:
- The efficacy of biological indices to predict nutrient degradation
- The development of dissolved oxygen criteria and sediment thresholds that protect for salmon life cycles
- Write environmental impact statements and implementation plans to support state rulemaking
Provide consulting services to agency management and staff on the unique challenges of hydropower dams' structural and operational impacts to state waters.
- Analyze and apply hydropower, limnology, aquatic, and stream ecology research to implement hydropower industry compliance measures.
- Direct the gathering water quality data for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license conditions for the protection of water quality.
- Analyze data and data modeling results to formulate and justify conclusions and recommendations.
- Write rulemaking documents and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) to support revised water quality standards rules.
Provide guidance to the Water Quality Program on the implementation of state and federal water quality regulations including the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Clean Water Act 401 certifications.
- Review hydropower engineering plans and associated water quality modeling to determine if:
- Innovative structural solutions will be effective in complying with state WQ standards.
- The operations of dams meet water quality standards, including review of total dissolved gas, dissolved oxygen, and temperature models.
- Conduct peer review of Quality Assurance Project Plans, monitoring program designs, data analysis and collection methods, and other technical documents related to FERC hydropower projects.
Why join the team:
- The Water Quality Management Unit takes a team approach with most of our work, and we rely on each of the team members to bring their strong subject matter expertise to our projects.
- This is a great team of experts from many different fields, from communications, to environmental planning and research science.
- This position provides an opportunity to employ your aquatic science background and research skills to improve rules and policies Ecology is responsible for to help maintain the quality of Washington's waters.
Please note: During Stay Home, Stay Healthy, staff are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need.
Ecology is maintaining less than maximum building occupancy, and requiring masks, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.
This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of March 16, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before March 15, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
There are multiple ways to qualify for this position; see the options below.
Option 1:
- A Bachelor’s or higher in chemistry, biology, or ecology.
- Four (4) years of experience in aquatic science, which includes evaluating and summarizing peer reviewed research, and developing and interpreting data summaries and data models.
Option 2:
- A Master’s degree in aquatic science.
- Two (2) years of experience in aquatic science, which includes evaluating and summarizing peer reviewed research, and developing and interpreting data summaries and data models.
Option 3:
- A PhD in aquatic science, which includes evaluating and summarizing peer reviewed research, and developing and interpreting data summaries and data models.
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below. Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
- Education or experience involving application of limnology, stream hydrology, or estuarine ecology.
- Experience with mathematical and hydrodynamic water quality modeling, effluent dilution, and pollutant loading concepts.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Driver’s License