Permit Writer (Environmental Specialist 4)

About the role

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen The Department of Ecology is hiring a Permit Writer (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Water Resources Program. Location: Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule

This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options. This position is required to be in the office 2 days each week, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Responsibilities

• Recommend and process water right decisions.
• Conduct investigations and technical reviews to support decisions.
• Evaluate projects for feasibility, compliance with laws, regulations, and policies.
• Work with other local and state government agencies and Tribes regarding Washington water law.
• Respond to inquiries from water right applicants, their consultants, other agency staff and the public.
• Develop maps and locate water rights using GIS and web mapping tools and software.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Nine years of combined education and/or experience performing related to the duties of the position, that includes the following:

• Experience collecting, researching, and analyzing complex hydrologic or hydrogeologic data to support technical evaluations and regulatory decisions.
• Ability to apply scientific, hydrologic, or hydrogeologic findings and/or principles to permitting related decisions.
• Demonstrated skill in preparing technical written reports that summarize analyses, findings, and defensible recommendations for permitting decisions.
• Ability to conduct and interpret field investigations under the oversight of a licensed hydrogeologist, including groundwater and surface water related analyses.
• Experience reviewing proposed water related projects for legal, technical, and policy compliance.
• Strong communication and customer service skills, with the ability to interact professionally with applicants, consultants, tribal governments, partner agencies, and the public.
• Ability to manage and monitor complex permitting systems, for example water right authorizations.
• Familiarity with GIS and mapping tools to analyze and document water rights information, and ability to serve as a technical resource on mapping related tasks.
• Ability to mentor and support junior staff, collaborate on statewide workgroups, and independently manage workload priorities in a regulatory environment.
• Education: Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or related studies.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor Degree in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position.
• Demonstrated professional experience implementing water resource management laws and rules.
• Knowledge of Washington State water law, related rules, policies, and water rights permitting processes.
• Experience in applied geology, hydrogeology, or related disciplines.

Skills

• GIS and mapping tools (ArcGIS, web mapping)
• Technical writing and report preparation
• Field investigation and data collection (hydrologic/hydrogeologic)
• Scientific analysis and application of hydrologic principles
• Regulatory