WATER RESOURCES SPECIALIST I

The salary for this position is: $5,405 – $7,189 monthly.

The Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) department is seeking a highly motivated Water Resources Specialist I to join our Community Planning Division .

Under the Community Planning Manager, the Water Resources Specialist I is instrumental in collecting field data from the County's extensive network of rainfall, groundwater, and surface water field stations. Collected and processed data is critical in providing the Water and Climate Planning team the information needed to inform policymakers and the public on the County's wide range of water resources. This position is also responsible for updating and maintaining a wide range of telemetered electronic field equipment, including rainfall and atmospheric monitoring stations, streamflow monitoring stations, and groundwater monitoring stations located throughout the County. Data collected by this program are input, stored, and analyzed using the County's SQL-based database for reporting and long-term archiving. Topics without limitation are stormwater management and design, water resources, low impact development, climate change, watershed planning, and emergency management.

As a Water Resources Specialist I, your focus will be on water quality and quantity, shorelines, stream ecology, water conservation, and emergency management. In addition, this position works closely with other County departments to provide a comprehensive understanding of water resources and aids in protecting public infrastructure and safety. Finally, this position works semi-independently with a Water Resource Specialist II under the general supervision and direction of the Water and Climate Planning Team Lead.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinate and perform data collection schedules for surface water, ground water, and weather stations.
• Perform in-stream flow measurements year-round in inclement weather conditions using handheld acoustic doppler velocimeters; evaluate and recommend updates to discharge rating curves.
• Install and maintain environmental monitoring equipment, sensors, data loggers, telemetry and power supply devices at pre-existing and new monitoring sites.
• Provide quality assurance controls for long-term monitoring data, including current and historic datasets.
• Input data into county-developed SQL-based database utilizing Microsoft Access portal and assists with web-based monitoring data dashboards.
• Must be able to troubleshoot technical issues with field equipment as they arise utilizing equipment manuals and electrical wiring diagrams.
• Follow records management protocols for documenting monitoring stations and field site visits, including sensor calibration documentation.
• Work independently and with other technical and management staff to provide well-rounded data support for the citizens of Thurston County.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment – Combination of in-office setting, primarily sitting or standing at a desk, and field work throughout Thurston County.
• Schedule - Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workload demands may occasionally require work outside the assigned work hours. Flexible work schedules may apply.
• Travel Requirements – Travel throughout the county is required on a regular basis. Weather appropriate clothing and use of a county vehicle are provided to support this work.
Customer Interactions – Daily interactions via phone, in-person, and virtually with Thurston County Staff and the public.

WHO WE ARE:

Community Planning and Economic Development is a fast-paced work environment dedicated to accountability, consistency, and transparency.

The Community Planning Division has a significant role in supporting Thurston County's strategic initiative to balance development with preserving the County's rural character, natural resources, and open spaces.

As a part of our Community Planning team, you will have the opportunity to plan for Thurston County's future and solve complex community issues that have a county-wide concern. The Community Planning team works with other county team members, community groups, the cities in Thurston County, state and federal agencies, and more. The team focuses on:

• Comprehensive planning and compliance with the Washington State Growth Management Act
• Coordination of joint planning activities with cities in Thurston County
• Planning for natural resource lands and critical areas
• Land use policy and ordinance development and amendment
• Water resources monitoring and management
• Administration of habitat and natural resources conservation programs

The team members of Community Planning and Economic Development make it a wonderful place to work and effect change. CPED is a department of highly motivated professionals working for the citizens of Thurston County, and planning for its future. CPED is working to preserve history, ensure buildings are safe and energy-efficient, plan for our future to ensure development is consistent with projected growth, and preserve the County's rural character, natural areas, and open spaces.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values.

HAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays .
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA ) : Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com .

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate's degree in engineering, surveying, computer science, environmental science, biology or another closely related field. Additional relevant work experience can substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Three years of related field or office experience in performing work related to water resources, engineering, survey, biology, or geodetic work. One year work experience to include GIS mapping related field work or applied use of GIS technology responsibility is preferred.
• Ability to use computers and related spreadsheets, databases, GIS, and word processing software. Ability to organize and prioritize work and maximize the utilization of computer resources.
A current Washington State Driver's License is required.

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Communicates effectively both orally and in writing with all levels within the organization and can establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and groups.
• Ability to read and understand basic electronic diagrams and plans to aid in the installation of low-voltage DC-powered measuring equipment, including Campbell Scientific, Onset, Ott and others.
• Knowledge of monitoring station requirements and installation practices for atmospheric monitoring stations such as rainfall, wind speed, temperature, barometric pressure, and soil moisture equipment; operation of remote sensing equipment, discrete water quality sampling equipment, and various water sampling techniques and monitoring protocols.
• Familiarity with cellular and GOES satellite data communications protocols.
• Knowledge of manual streamflow data collection using ultrasonic sensors (Flowtracker 2).
• Knowledge of database design including Microsoft SQL functions for large water quantity and quality databases and/or other commercially available water monitoring programs.
Knowledge of new and emerging technologies related to water resource monitoring.

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact Alana Bradshaw, Administrative Services Manager at alana.bradshaw@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 480-0237.

This position is:

• Represented by a Union
• Eligible for benefits
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Items requested for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
List of three (3) references

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.