Senior Limnologist

Overview

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future career service Environmental Scientist III positions within the Water and Land Resources Division or throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next 6 months.

Are you a passionate limnologist who loves lakes that support everything from the smallest plankton to the humans who swim in them? Are you energized by the idea of monitoring “crown jewel” lakes and digging into long term datasets? Then this is a job for you! Come join us as part of King County’s Science and Technical Services section as a Senior Limnologist (Environmental Scientist III) charged with monitoring and understanding Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, Lake Union, and other area lakes.

We are a Seattle-based team building the scientific foundation for King County to protect water quality and restore habitat for the benefit of people, salmon, and orca. We lead applied research, manage environmental monitoring programs, deliver technical services, and inform evidence-based policies and regulations.

About the Role:

This role’s primary work monitors, analyzes, and reports on the status of King County major lakes:
Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish and Lake Union. The deep limnological history on these lakes from the early days of removing wastewater to understanding today’s pressures of population growth have created an exciting scientific opportunity to continue to explore how to keep our major lakes functioning at a high level, and in some cases even improving. This position requires understanding of lake ecosystems, sediment coring results, and food web interactions.

You will work with partners in King County Wastewater Department, University of Washington, and other regional experts to continue to understand lake systems and ensure they remain ecosystems where humans and animals can thrive.

This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work.

About the Team:

This amazing opportunity is set in an organization that believes in ‘breaking trail’ through collective action. We seek to make scientific discoveries that shape environmental regulations and polices. Our work informs how millions of dollars are invested to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat. At King County, your work will have meaning and impact, affect the lives of people and the environment, and advance environmental justice.

You’ll collaborate with your supervisor to ensure you and your team design useful studies, gather reliable evidence, address emerging issues, and contribute to effective and equitable solutions. In this role, you will join a respected and motivated team of scientists that support both King County and regional leaders, keeping communities at the heart of our work.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Senior Limnologist, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work.

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resources Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Program design and oversight – develop and manage long-term scientific monitoring and special-study programs, including the development and implementation of SOPs and SAPs; work with KCEL field crews and contractors to execute monitoring plans and studies
• Data analysis and modeling – perform time-series analysis, multivariate statistics, use and interpret model results, use simple modeling methods (e.g., empirical, statistical, and box models) interpretation of…