Watershed Implementation Lead; Environmental Specialist State Department of Ecology

Are you interested in restoring streams and protecting aquatic habitats? Can you picture yourself developing clean-up plans and implementing water quality actions for rivers and streams in eastern Washington? Would you enjoy collaborating with a fantastic team of six fellow implementation leads? If so, these positions could be a great fit for you!

We are hiring two Watershed Implementation Leads: one focused on the Hangman watershed and the other on the Palouse watershed.

In either of these roles, you will coordinate with watershed partners in your designated geographic area to identify and control nonpoint source water pollution with an emphasis on riparian restoration as you work to meet water quality standards. You will be responsible for implementing existing water quality clean-up plans and developing new plans designed to achieve water quality standards and protect aquatic habitat.

A significant portion of your role will involve collaborating with landowners and local partners to proactively restore streams using technical assistance and available grant funding. You may also need to use state regulatory tools to achieve compliance when proactive efforts are unsuccessful.

You will serve as the watershed-specific lead, responsible developing and implementing Total Maximum Daily Load plans (TMDLs) and Straight to Implementation strategies (STIs) for either the Hangman or Palouse watersheds. TMDLs and STI strategies are different types of water quality clean-up plans designed to meet state water quality standards when streams are polluted. To do this, you will:

• Craft clean-up strategies and messages, prioritize pollution sources, recommendation actions for cleaning up impairments, and conduct TMDL scoping activities.
• Coordinate with partners to implement practices identified in clean-up plans, such as riparian restoration, conservation tillage, livestock management, nonpoint stormwater management, etc.
• Track agency and partner implementation progress toward meeting the goals and milestones of the TMDLs and STIs. Support and/or perform effectiveness monitoring.
• Perform watershed evaluations to identify land uses that constitute nonpoint pollution sources and develop strategies to bring these sources into compliance.
• Provide technical assistance and outreach on water quality protection to landowners in the watersheds to help them achieve compliance with water quality laws.
• Understand and effectively communicate the best management practices needed for water quality and habitat protection.
• Prepare regulatory documents as needed, including letters of warning, notices of violation, administrative orders, and penalties.

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

• Assessment & Evaluation– Ability to review and interpret program or site conditions to identify issues and support informed decisions.
• Plan Development & Implementation– Ability to create and carry out technical or operational plans to meet program goals and desired outcomes.
• Regulatory Compliance & Enforcement– Ability to evaluate activities for compliance with laws and rules and use appropriate tools to resolve violations.
• Data Interpretation– Ability to analyze and interpret monitoring or evaluation data to inform recommendations and actions.
• Collaboration & Partnership Building– Ability to work…