Eastern Operations Section, Modeling/TMDL/Groundwater Unit Supervisor

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill an EAP Eastern Operations Section, Modeling/TMDL/Groundwater Unit Supervisor (WMS Band 1) position. 

Location:

• This position is located in our Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule: 

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of three days per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by: July 17, 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 July 17th may not be considered.

Duties

What makes this role unique? 

In this role, you will contribute to the agency and program missions by managing and directing the Eastern Operations Modeling/TMDL/Groundwater Unit staff, which conduct Surface water, Groundwater, and Effectiveness Monitoring studies. You will be responsible for developing and implementing scientifically credible, well-coordinated monitoring programs designed to meet multiple agency objectives involving the management and regulation of Eastern Washington freshwater resources. You will also manage highly technical staff of research scientists, biologists, and engineers in-charge of independently planning, developing, directing, conducting and/or overseeing hydrologic/hydrogeologic projects for surface water and/or groundwater investigations. You will make decisions that are guided by familiar and reliable policies, published guidelines and regulations with established limits, and broad departmental policies and actions. These decisions require judgments that are usually made in known and familiar areas where there are reliable precedents and regulations and the judgment is tactical.  Occasionally you will make decisions that require analysis in unknown or unexplored areas and recommend actions that may impact programs at a strategic level.

What you will do: 

 

• Manage recruiting and hiring of unit staff in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement by and between the State of Washington and Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) and with civil service rules.
• Plan, lead, organize, and control the work performed by the unit.  Ensure appropriate and optimal use of the unit's resources and enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities.  Support effective communications throughout the agency.  Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the state's goals for a diverse workforce.
• Plan and schedule unit workload, coordinate annual planning, establish priorities, assign tasks, facilitate intra- and inter-program project teams, monitor status of unit tasks and commitments, and ensure timeliness of employee assignments.
• Evaluate unit staffing needs, initiate personnel actions, prepare position descriptions and essential functions analyses, recommend staff hires, arrange training and professional development opportunities, evaluate staff performance, and initiate or recommend corrective actions.
• Manage unit budget and monitor expenditures; approve leave, timesheets, training requests, travel expense vouchers, and purchasing requests.
• Assure the timely completion of required or appropriate scientific reports, technical publications, Environmental Indicators, and other required products.  Provide a detailed review of QAPPs, memoranda, and technical reports to ensure the scientific validity of research methods, SOPs, findings, and recommendations.  Ensure that staff findings and recommendations are consistent with state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines.
• Prepare unit goals and objectives; communicate section, program, and agency activities to unit staff; communicate staff recommendations to management; coordinate monitoring activities with other unit supervisors; and prepare the unit's monthly report.
• Serve as lead contact for policy and program development for the MTG Unit and serve as a program liaison on inter-program and inter-agency work groups; and coordinate with relevant governmental, professional, and industry officials.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:

 

• 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

A total of nine years of experience and/or education, as listed below.
 

Experience: Professional research or work experience in watershed management, watershed health, water quality monitoring, water quality assessment, groundwater monitoring, or similar environmental work. 

Education: With a major study in a natural science field.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:

 

Possible Combinations

College credit hours or degree – as listed above.

Years of required experience – as listed above.

Combination 1

No college credit hours or degree.

9 years of experience.

Combination 2

30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.

8 years of experience.

Combination 3

60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).

7 years of experience.

Combination 4

90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.

6 years of experience.

Combination 5 

A Bachelor's Degree.

5 years of experience.

Combination 6 

A Master's Degree. 

3 years of experience.

Combination 7

A Ph.D. 

2 years of experience.

For all education levels, knowledge of and demonstrated experience with the following is required:

• Experience with surface water monitoring/gaging and groundwater investigations/monitoring.
• Ability to apply standard methods in determination of the following:
  • Biological assessment, and surface water.
  • Stream flow and ecosystem characteristics.
• This position also requires knowledge of the principles of management as applied in a scientific work environment, including familiarity with environmental monitoring and assessment methods.

Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

 

• Demonstrated skill in writing clear technical reports.
• Ability to deliver oral presentations on technical subject-matter.
• GIS mapping skills.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

 

Supplemental Information

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete. 
 

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 orcareers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Scott Tarbutton at scott.tarbutton@ecy.wa.gov 
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

The mission of the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP), within the Department of Ecology, is to measure, assess, and communicate environmental conditions in Washington. EAP works to improve the environment for current and future generations through innovative, excellent science and thriving partnerships.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace known for promoting authenticity and human-centered approaches. We believe we are more able to protect, promote, and enhance the environment when employees are supported to collaborate and advance professionally. We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s),Public Employees Retirement System (PERS),Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*,11 Paid Holidays per year*,Public Service Loan Forgiveness,Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability&Life Insurance,Deferred Compensation Programs,Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA),Employee Assistance Program,Commute Trip Reduction Incentives(Download PDF reader),Combined Fund Drive,SmartHealth*Click here for more information 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit ourwebsite, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us onLinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or ourblog. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.

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