Natural Resource Scientist
Listed on 2026-06-14
-
Science
Environmental Compliance, Environmental Science, Research Scientist, Geology / Geoscience -
Engineering
Environmental Compliance, Research Scientist, Geology / Geoscience
Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Natural Resource Scientist 2 within the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP).
Location:
- Eastern Region Office in Spokane, WA
- Must live within a commutable distance from the duty station
Schedule:
- Eligible for telework and flexible schedule options
- Telework most of the office work time with occasional in-person meetings; the position also includes field work
- Schedules are dependent on position needs and are subject to change
Under the administrative supervision of the Eastern Operations Section (EOS) Manager and the Modeling/TMDL/Groundwater Unit (MTGU) Supervisor, you will serve as a staff natural resource scientist performing specialized freshwater stream ecology research and hydrogeologic investigations using conventional techniques. Responsibilities include coordinating, gathering, and analyzing water quality and biological sampling information to assess the status and trends of the natural resources in Eastern Washington.
You will provide support in developing and implementing scientifically credible, well-coordinated monitoring programs designed to meet multiple agency objectives involving the management and regulation of Eastern Washington water resources, including rivers, streams, lakes, and groundwater. You will also plan, develop, and manage environmental sampling design and data collection to support unit projects, including the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) in the Eastern Region.
You will work in rugged field conditions, traveling by truck or boat to complete work, and will work across agency teams to coordinate activities.
What you will do:
- Perform field investigations, including streamflow measurements, groundwater level measurements, geologic mapping, aerial photograph interpretation, and/or geographic information system analysis
- Plan and conduct hydrology and environmental surveys, analyze and record field conditions, including measuring surface water quality and stream flows in Eastern Washington
- Perform cross-section and program technical peer review of hydrologic and water quality modeling and pollutant loading reports
- Perform quality checks on field and laboratory data and upload data into the agency's environmental database (EIM)
- Perform analysis of hydrology and hydrogeologic data and information using a variety of analytical tools; implement established protocols, i.e., Quality Assurance Management Plan (QAMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) etc., and other investigation project standards
- Manage multiple monitoring projects simultaneously
Required Qualifications:
- Experience conducting freshwater aquatic and stream ecological fieldwork, including water quality sampling, biological sampling, habitat assessments, or groundwater investigations
- Demonstrated ability to write clear, defensible technical sections of monitoring reports, project summaries, or scientific documents, including formulating conclusions and recommendations based on data analysis
- Ability to plan, develop, and implement environmental sampling designs, including defining project objectives, designing monitoring plans, and executing field data collection using accepted scientific methods
- Experience conducting water quality project components such as continuous monitoring, instrument calibration, deployment of water quality sondes, data logger downloads, and field equipment troubleshooting
- 7 years of experience
- 6 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits
- 5 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree)
- 4 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits
- 3 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree
- 1 year of experience AND a Master’s degree
- A Ph.D.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license
Desired
Qualifications:
- Data Analysis & Interpretation:
Ability to analyze, evaluate, and interpret environmental, hydrologic, and…
(If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC).