Environmental Site Manager/Hydrogeologist (Hydrogeologist 3) (In-Training)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill an Environmental Site Manager/Hydrogeologist (Hydrogeologist 3) (In-Training) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
 
As the Environmental Site Manager/Hydrogeologist, you will play a vital role in supporting the cleanup of contaminated sites. Assisting at Department of Defense and Environmental Protection Agency sites, as well as private properties, you’ll help expedite cleanups by drafting and reviewing remedial investigations, feasibility studies, and cleanup action plans. You’ll also recommend compliance schedules, working with internal and external parties to ensure these are being met or modified based on cleanup progress. Applying geologic techniques and principles related to contaminated site cleanup, you’ll provide site management, review investigations, and identify solutions to complex environmental cleanup challenges.
 
The mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is to protect Washington’s human health and the environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution and supporting sustainable communities and natural resources for the benefit of future and current generations.
 
Note: This position offers a career path and on-the-job training. This position allows you to progress through the Hydrogeologist (HG) field and achieve the goal class of a Hydrogeologist 3 (HG3). Candidates will be considered at the HG2 and HG3 levels, depending on their qualifications. For salary levels for each, please see the qualifications section.  

Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to an 80% tele-work schedule, with field visits around once a month. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, we will review applications on April 1, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before March 31, 2024. If your application isn't received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date. 

Please Note: We will review all applications received before the date above. Additional reviews after this date typically only occur if we have a small applicant pool, or if a successful Hire was not made.

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 *Click here for more information 
 

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.
• 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

In this role, you'll serve as site manager and lead the cleanup process on contaminated sites in need of cleanup. On some sites, you may be paired up with an environmental engineer or natural resource scientist to address the cleanup. This will allow for improved expertise for our cleanup sites, and foster collaboration and overlap in knowledge to address cleanup challenges. Your geology expertise will be vital in evaluating data and monitoring well installation workplans, sampling and analysis plans, and groundwater monitoring reports. And you may be involved in designing monitoring well scopes of work and overseeing field installation. You’ll also have the opportunity to train other program staff on new remediation technologies and approaches. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a collaborative and supportive team with knowledgeable environmental experts in pursuit of contaminated site cleanup.
 
As the Environmental Site Manager/Hydrogeologist, you will:
 

• Provide regulatory oversight of contaminated cleanup sites and ensure remedial actions comply with environmental laws, regulations, policies and Agency goals.
• Apply state-of-the-art theories and practices of hydrogeology to the work.
• Grow and further knowledge about current groundwater practices, sampling and data evaluation techniques, and remedial technologies.
• Review cleanup projects to determine if the cleanup meets the substantive requirements of the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA).
• Perform site hazard assessments of contaminated sites.
• Plan and provide oversight on professional hydrogeological analysis on all aspects of formal MTCA cleanup sites including drafting, negotiating and issuing agreed and enforcement orders and consent decrees.
• Review all aspects of monitoring wells and maintain knowledge around monitoring well installation and groundwater sampling techniques.
• Develop scopes of work and associated cost estimates for Ecology-led site investigations. Manage all aspects of contracts, site-specific invoicing and cost tracking practices.

Qualifications

This is an In-Training Position. The goal class for this position is Hydrogeologist 3 (HG3). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the HG2 and HG3 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the HG2 level, they will be hired at that level and will be placed into a training program to become an HG3 within a specified period of time.

Required Qualifications:
Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:

 

• 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

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

At the Hydrogeologist 2 level: Pay Range 58 ($5,214 - $7,016 monthly) in-training
Option 1:
 

• A Bachelor’s degree with 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.

 
Option 2:
A Master's degree or above with major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field.
 
Option 3:
One year as a Hydrogeologist 1, at the Department of Ecology.
 
 
At the Hydrogeologist 3 level: Pay Range 62 ($5,756 - $7,739 monthly) Goal class

Please note: To qualify at the Hydrogeologist 3 level, you must have a valid Washington State Geologist License or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington.

Option 1:
 

• A Bachelor’s degree with 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 2:
 

• A Master’s degree with major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field, AND
• One year of professional experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist or closely allied profession.

 
Option 3:
 

• A Ph.D. with major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field.

 
Option 4:
One year as a Hydrogeologist 2, at the Department of Ecology.
 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• To qualify at the Hydrogeologist 3 level:
  • Must complete registration as a Licensed Geologist and Licensed Hydrogeologist in the State of Washington within six months of hire.

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.


 

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.
• A list of three professional references.

Note: References will only be contacted during the final steps of the recruitment process for candidates selected as finalists. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s formal authorization.

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.

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 Amy Hargrove at: Amy.Hargrove@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Amy 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.