Watershed Health Monitoring Environmental Specialist — WA State Department of Ecology

Watershed Health Monitoring Environmental Specialist 1 — WA State Department of Ecology

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Watershed Health Monitoring Environmental Specialist 1 position within the Environmental Assessment Program for the Summer 2025 field season. This is a temporary position that will start on June 2, 2025 and end no later than October 15, 2025. The end date is flexible and depends on how the field season goes. Students needing to return to school in the fall are still encouraged to apply.

The position is based out of Lacey, WA, with work primarily focused on the Snake River region with some sample sites statewide. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from Lacey, WA.

The schedule will consist of 10-hour shifts, with eight consecutive days working in the field followed by six days off. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Apply by April 30, 2025. This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2025 may not be considered.

In this role, you will conduct environmental sampling and support the Watershed Health Monitoring field leads by assisting in the organization of day-to-day data collection activities in the field. You will also aid in training the environmental technicians involved in this project. Key work activities include hiking, field navigation, biological monitoring, water quality sampling, habitat surveys, and using different types of monitoring equipment.

The information that you collect will help assess the condition of streams and watersheds. The data is used to describe the status and trends of watershed health, lakes, and other environmental conditions to better inform natural resource conservation and management plans.

The Department of Ecology’s Watershed Health Monitoring program assesses streams and rivers across the state to obtain a consistent, objective picture of habitat and biological conditions. We sample eight regions in the state on a rotating basis. Our scientists assess watershed health in streams and rivers by evaluating the monitoring data for each region. You will directly support these ongoing data collection efforts as we survey streams and rivers in the Snake River region this summer.

• Ensure the unit’s field operations related to watershed health assessments are carried out efficiently and effectively.
• Maintain and organize field equipment, including multi-probe calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of the records log.
• Read and gain an in-depth understanding of quality assurance documents, standard operating procedures, and other required protocols in order to successfully implement field data collection events.
• Support the field lead in identifying opportunities to improve implementation of standard operating procedures.
• Oversee the completion of weekly field work preparation and wrap-up checklists.
• Assist with preparing and implementing daily and weekly scouting plans.
• Collect water quality samples.
• Help with habitat surveys, including collecting benthic macroinvertebrates, periphyton samples, and fish sampling.
• Aid in the end of day and end of week data review.
• Work in rugged and sometimes remote field locations for consecutive days under adverse weather conditions, including overnight stays and/or weekend work.
• Assist with boat operation duties.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

• Four (4) years of experience and/or education as described below:
  • Experience:
    
    performing environmental-based work. Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
• Experienced in gathering data on stream habitats, aquatic biology, and water quality.
• Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.
• Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.
• Conducting research and performing data…