Natural Resources Specialist- III

Pay Range: $34.10 - $43.25 per hour (CTP Pay Plan, C43 Step 1-13)
Hiring Range: $34.10 - $36.19 (CTP Pay Plan, C43 Step 1-4 DOQ)

Job Closing Date: February 16, 2025

There is one Natural Specialist III opening with the Yakima County Public Services Water Resources Division. This position manages contracts and consultants responsible for conducting water resources related projects. Identifies, develops, writes scope of works, and accomplishes multi-objective water resources related projects.

Benefits included in position:
-Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
-Retirement Benefits
-Paid Vacation
-Paid Holidays
-Paid Sick Leave

Note: This position is a Yakima County Public Services Department Clerical, Technical & Professional Employees Group Bargaining Unit Position.

Essential Duties:

Manages contracts and consultants responsible for conducting multi-objective water resources related projects. Projects include: flood mapping, flood mitigation, stream restoration and fish and wildlife enhancement, flood risk reduction planning studies, flood response studies, field data collection studies.

Identifies, develops, and writes scope of works for multi-objective water resources projects. Attends and facilitates meetings, and collaborates with water resource partners and stakeholders to fulfill tasks contained in the scope of works.

Manages programs and projects to collect field data needed for implementation of multi-objective water related projects and plans. Types of field data includes LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), Global Positioning System (GPS), survey data, velocity and stream flow, sediment, and hydraulic structures data. Trains and advises county staff in Quality Control/Quality Assurance for collecting, refining, analyzing, graphing, data rejection, and using specialty software in dealing with collected field data. Maintains data base to store these field data.

Performs or oversees GIS, HEC-RAS and AutoCAD work related to Water Resources Division projects. Tasks include: design drawings; preparing files for interface with hydrologic models; preliminary mapping in GIS; mapping of storm drainage components; mapping of stream inventory data. Work closely with County GIS Department on standards, methods, and final mapping and placement onto the County GIS.

Maintains interaction and communication with local, state, federal, and tribal entities. Seeks funding from federal and state agencies to support multi-objective water related projects. Drafts grant applications and project budget sheets.

Reviews, checks, designs, and monitors technical works of consultant and county staff for water related projects. Projects include: bridge hydraulics design, sediment transport, flooding problems, stormwater issues from development project, etc. Adheres to local, state, and federal regulations such as County codes, National Flood Insurance Programs, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Phase II in reviewing these projects. Provides advice and training to staff in areas related to hydraulics and hydrological modeling.

Participates in efforts to conduct water resources related planning studies. Plans include comprehensive flood management, flood response, etc. Interacts and coordinates with different entities that have stakes in the outcome of these planning efforts.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Natural and Water Resources, or closely related field in water resources AND three (3) years working in natural or water resources discipline or related field and specializing in the areas of hydraulics and hydrology; OR the equivalent education and experience to perform the essential duties of the job.

Required:

• valid Driver’s License;
• successful completion of a general employment verification; and,
• ability to facilitate, present and communicate information to groups.

Preferred:

• work experience using Arc GIS and GPS;
• performing environmental management; and,
• research and data collection.

Equipment Used: computer, calculator, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, hydrological and hydraulic computer software including Fortran, HEC-RAS, Geo-RAS, AutoCAD, MIKE11, MIKE21, MIKEFLOOD, ArcView, GIS, and StormSHED.

Working Conditions: This position is rated as Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

multiple work locations, field work, may be exposed to hostile/angry individuals, work outside of standard business hours and locations, and walking on sometimes uneven terrain.

reaching, standing, walking, fingering, climbing, hearing, talking, visual acuity, driving, grasping, feeling, and repetitive motions.

ability to multitask, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, and ability to follow verbal instruction.

Knowledge:

• principles and theories of flood management;
• hydraulics and hydrological modeling;
• river hydraulics;
• watershed hydrology;
• sediment transport and geomorphology;
• design of hydraulic structures and related civil engineering disciplines;
• water quantity and quantity;
• stormwater design;
• Federal, state, and local codes and regulations; and,
• public involvement and education.

Skills (and abilities):

• managing complex projects;
• providing technical advice to County staff;
• inspecting projects for compliance with rules and regulations;
• reviewing and monitoring the work of consultants;
• prioritizing;
• using computer and related Microsoft software applications and water specialty software;
• writing contract specifications;
• reading and interpreting maps, blueprints, plans and specifications;
• preparing pay estimates; and,
• excellent writing and communication skills.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $34.10 - $43.25 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to Commute:

• Yakima, WA 98902 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Yakima, WA 98902: Relocate with an employer provided relocation package (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $34 - $43