- Salary: $78,468.00 – $105,612.00 Annually
- Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
- Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
- Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
- Job Number: 2025-WR5335-03498
- Department: Dept. of Ecology
- Division: Water Resources
- Opening Date: 05/20/2025
- Closing Date: Continuous
- Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Senior Hydrogeologist / Unit Supervisor (Hydrogeologist 4) within the Water Resources Program.
Location:
- Southwest Region Office in Lacey, 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.
- As Unit Supervisor, you will be required to work in the office at least two days per week.
- Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
Application Timeline:
- Apply by June 3, 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 the date above may not be considered.
Duties
In this role, you will supervise a unit of 5-6 hydrogeologists and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting and managing Washington’s groundwater and surface water resources. The unit is responsible for safeguarding senior water rights (including yet to be quantified Tribal water rights), protecting stream flows, and providing technical assistance to a wide range of invested parties. These include state residents, Tribal and local governments, agency staff, consultants in hydrogeology, engineering and environmental fields, real estate agents, attorneys, and partner agencies such as the Department of Health and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
You will provide recommendations on water right authorizations that help guide how Ecology manages surface water and groundwater in the Southwest Region. This position is both highly rewarding and challenging, offering opportunities to make a lasting impact on Washington’s water future.
The Southwest Region includes 12 counties, 14 sovereign Tribal Nations, and 20 distinct watersheds – 12 of which have separate and specific instream flow regulations. Serving a population of over two million, this region supports a diverse range of water uses, including municipal supply, domestic use, irrigation, fish propagation, and power generation. It is also home to two National Parks, a National Volcanic Monument, the mouth and lower portion of the Columbia River (the fourth largest river discharge in North America), and several thousand miles of ocean and inland sea coastline. Field visits to the region’s unique and varied landscapes are a key and rewarding aspect of the role.
What you will do:
- Supervise the hydrogeologists and environmental specialists responsible for water right permitting in the Southwest Region Water Resources Section.
- Provide comprehensive technical assistance and support to permit writers on water right management and enforcement decisions.
- Report on hydrogeologic issues and analyses to agency leadership, including the Section Manager, Program Manager, Southwest Regional Director, and other senior staff.
- Conduct technical peer reviews of unit staff drafted Reports of Examinations (ROEs) and related hydrogeologic documents, including those prepared by staff in other sections or programs.
- Perform field investigations and analyses related to water right applications and associated hydrogeologic conditions.
- Prepare technical documents, including writing ROEs of water right applications, Hydrogeology Memos, water right permits, and decisions on permit extension requests.
- Develop Hydrogeology Memos in support of other water right permit writers in the Section who are not licensed hydrogeologists.
- Represent the Southwest Region on Water Resources Program technical committees and before the public.
Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.
Required Qualifications:
Possession of a valid Washington State Hydrogeologist Specialty license
AND
Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:
- Experience as a hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist, or closely allied profession.
- Education involving a major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, or closely allied field.
Examples of how to qualify:
- 9 years of experience.
- 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
- 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
- 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
- 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
- 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
- 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- This position requires possession of a valid Washington State Hydrogeologist specialty license.
NOTE: Individuals who are interested in applying to this position, and believe they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington based on reciprocity, are responsible for ensuring they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington prior to submitting their application materials. These requirements can be found at the following website: WA State Licensing (DOL) Official Site: How to get your license: Geologists, engineering geologists, or hydrogeologists by reciprocity. Must possess or become a Licensed Hydrogeologist in the State of Washington within 6 months after hiring.
Desired Qualifications:
- Previously demonstrated knowledge base, skills, and abilities to represent Water Resources Program regarding complex and/or controversial water allocation issues when interacting with local, state and federal agencies, and water user groups.
If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.
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
- Writing sample (2-3 pages), such as a technical report, research paper, or other relevant work
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 or careers@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 Mike Gallagher at Mike.Gallagher@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 Water Resources Program
The mission of the Water Resources Program is to manage our state’s water resources to benefit all Washingtonians and to protect the natural environment for current and future generations. The primary objectives of the Southwest Region Water Resources Section Permit Group are (1) to issue decisions on applications for new water rights and changes existing rights and (2) to manage existing water right authorizations in the 20 distinct watersheds that we cover.
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.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
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
Additionally, required personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety vest, boots) will be provided by the program.
To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.
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.
Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.
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Employer: State of Washington
Address: View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504, Phone: View Posting for Agency Contact
Website: http://www.careers.wa.gov
