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Senior Ecologist

Employer
City of Kent
Location
Kent, Washington, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Jun 3, 2021

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Sector
Academic / Research, Government
Field
Informatics / GIS
Discipline
Restoration
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Fellowship
Under the direction of the Environmental Supervisor, or designee, perform a variety of advanced-level professional duties related to designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring of natural resource enhancement and mitigation construction projects. Duties also include inspections of projects and properties to ensure compliance with environmental laws/regulations/codes, and other field reconnaissance and reporting activities related to environmental conservation within and around the City of Kent.

Work is characterized by performing independent, routine, and usually specialized technical duties associated with environmental conservation programs including, but not limited to natural resources and ecological infrastructure projects. Duties include, but are not limited to, planning and developing habitat restoration and mitigation projects; preparing and/or reviewing design plans and project reports; performing field inspections of construction and mitigation sites; maintaining inspection files and records; grants application and reporting; contract management; coordinating with project internal and external stakeholders; collecting data and writing reports; conducting outreach activities; and attending meetings as required. The incumbent will also investigate other water quality and environmental issues, including reports of illegal dumping, spills, or stormwater-related and critical habitats/wetlands complaints.

Work is performed with limited supervision. The supervisor defines group objectives, priorities, and deadlines. The incumbent plans and carries out assignments and handles problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, procedures, and/or accepted practices. Work is evaluated for technical soundness and conformity to established practices and policy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead in the design and preparation of construction documents for Public Works stormwater/flood management/critical areas improvement, habitat restoration, and mitigation projects in accordance with established standards of safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Prepare project plans and specifications; analyze project requirements, physical location, and other pertinent data; prepare estimate of cost as needed; ensure that project designs are in compliance with a variety of state, federal, and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations governing construction projects.

Perform contracting tasks including development and review of Statements of Qualifications and Scopes of Work, selection/evaluation of consultants/ contractors, routing requests for contract, coordinating with contractors, monitoring contract budget and contractor performance, negotiate and recommend contract changes if necessary, and processing of invoices. Review plans, specifications and other documents needed to implement Public Works capital improvement and operations projects and associated mitigation plans.

Identify wetland mitigation areas, develop plan elements, and secure permits for wetland restoration and mitigation projects. Utilize professional biological expertise and training to determine habitat needs and niches required by specific plant and wildlife species and to develop strategies to meet restoration and monitoring goals. Coordinate the planting and plant maintenance activities and sites monitoring with Operations staff.

Analyze the proposed development activity in relation to its impact on critical areas. Prepare and review proposed mitigation plans in relation to their ability to protect critical areas from development.

Plan, develop, and implement monitoring of mitigation and/or habitat enhancements projects. Collect, analyze, and interpret data/information and prepare monitoring reports.

Conduct site/habitat evaluations, wetland delineations/assessments, field studies on critical habitats/aquatic/endangered species, monitoring of vegetation, hydrology, water quality, wildlife, and fisheries, as well as coordinate habitats and threatened/endangered species management. Visit construction sites to inspect work progress and coordinate communications with the construction engineer/inspector during construction.

Perform field reconnaissance and natural resources/water quality investigations to identify and assess environmental problems throughout the City and natural resources conservation and project mitigation/restoration areas.

Inspect capital, mitigation, and other natural resources construction projects for compliance with applicable permits during and after construction.

Function as a lead providing guidance and training to junior staff on technical and other program/project-related matters as needed to accomplish the tasks as assigned.

Investigate reports of unpermitted activities and hazardous chemical spills or illicit discharges onto wetlands and critical areas. Assess magnitude and possible remedies and notify appropriate internal and external response parties per standard operating procedures.

Collect or lead sample collection (soil, plant, water, animal/fish) activities from construction sites and natural resources conservation areas; identify appropriate parameters for analysis; prepare samples for delivery to laboratories for evaluation; summarize and interpret analytical results for reporting and enforcement actions as necessary and recommend adaptive management strategies for implementation.

Apply for grants and project permits, and write/submit required monitoring, progress, and expense reports related to natural resources, water quality and other environmental conservation and outreach projects covered by grants and permits.

Provide input and direction to the public, developers, and consultants on the preparation of project construction documents and wetlands/critical area mitigation plans and reports.

Develop educational materials associated with protecting natural resources, critical areas/habitats, water quality/quantity; including but not limited to presentations, brochures, flyers, signage, newsletters, website updates, and handouts.

Perform a variety of technical engineering design and layout activities to assist in the preparation of plans for environmental projects using aerial imagery, and GIS data.

Participate in various technical committees, study groups, and taskforces to provide engineering and technical expertise. Conduct presentations to students, citizens, staff, developers and elected officials. Communicate project information and requirements with property owners, consultants/contractors, internal departments, external agencies, etc.

Represent the City at various meetings with citizens, contractors, consultants, and outside agencies. Interface with regulatory agencies, local agencies, consultants, other city departments, volunteer and school groups, and the general public.

Actively support the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform related duties as assigned.

SUCCESSFUL INCUMBENTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL HAVE THE:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Principles of environmental science, natural resources management, land use and watershed management
Wetlands identification, delineation, assessment and monitoring
Plant species identification and vegetation surveying methods/techniques
Fish biology and fisheries science
Riverine ecosystems and reservoir habitats and biota
Salmonid fish habitat and fish passage requirements
City codes and other applicable state and federal regulations related to critical areas, stormwater management, municipal water supply, and construction standards
City utilities, including water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater
Applicable health and safety regulations
Methods, procedures, and materials used in construction
Erosion and sediment control
Stormwater management practices and systems
GIS and use of GPS technologies; Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Computer software programs applicable to the position
Recordkeeping and file management techniques
Research and analytical methods, practices, and procedures

BE SKILLED IN:

Oral and written (both technical and creative) communications
Field investigation of potential environmental problems including wetlands/critical habitats and stormwater management issues and pollutant sources
Wetlands and aquatic habitat restoration/management, planning, designing and implementing mitigation plans, monitoring hydrology, identifying plants, and surveying vegetation in mitigation/restoration sites
Analyzing technical material related to management and protection of natural resources, fish and wildlife, wetlands, and critical areas
Using qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze data/findings
Establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with others
Maintaining accurate records and preparing routine reports and correspondence
Effectively planning, organizing, and prioritizing work activities
Using interpersonal relations in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner when dealing with fellow employees, contractors/vendors, and citizens/public.
Anticipating problems and eliminating them where possible, or coming up with solutions

HAVE THE ABILITY TO:

Perform construction compliance and restoration/mitigation site visits and inspection
Work independently or in a team setting and ability to track multiple projects and tasks
Understand construction plans, site drawings, sketches, and electronic files
Perform moderate physical labor including, but not limited to, inspecting natural resource sites, walking on irregular terrain, etc.
Identify project/environmental issues while in the field
Read, interpret, and apply laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
Analyze situations and adopt an effective course of action to solve practical problems
Plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments to meet schedules and timelines
Lead junior staff
Maintain records and prepare reports
Work effectively on multiple projects concurrently
Effectively present information in one-on-one situations to the supervisor and/or other employees of the City and to respond to inquiries from within the office or the public

SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS:

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher education in an accredited college/university specializing in environmental science/studies, natural resources management, fish and wildlife biology, geology/hydrogeology, ecology, or related field; and

Experience: Five (5) years of work experience in the areas of environmental science, environmental inspections and assessments, wetlands management, ecological, and/or fish and wildlife management and/or research.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

A Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or able to obtain it within one year of employment
Valid Washington State driver's license, or the ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment
Valid First Aid/CPR card, or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days of employment
Must successfully pass the City's pre-employment driver's records check and maintain an excellent driving record
Must successfully pass a position specific background inquiry

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