Endangered Species Act Reviewer - Biologist

Summary

Are you ready to bring your expertise of the Endangered Species Act ( ESA) listed species and their designated critical habitats to join King County's Water and Land Resources Division's ( WLRD ) River and Floodplain Capital Unit or Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) in their phenomenal work to improve water quality and achieve multi-benefit flood risk reduction outcomes that preserve, restore, and enhance the natural function of flood-prone areas?

About the Role :
We are looking for two (2) Endangered Species Act Reviewers - Biologists (Environmental Scientist III) to join our team for a five (5) year Term-Limited Temp or Special Duty Assignment. Th ese position s will serve as a liaison between King County WLRD / Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) and the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (NMFS and USFWS, collectively known as the "Services") and will support the Services in their review of WLRD /WTD capital projects and programs. Th ese individuals will evaluate the effects of proposed WLRD /WTD actions on ESA-listed species and their designated critical habitats and will draft Biological Opinions in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and the Magnuson -Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act . Having dedicated Services Reviewers will allow WLRD & WTD to expedite federal permitting and speed-up delivery of flood control , wastewater treatment and habitat improvement projects.

This position performs work remotely and onsite.

About the Team:

King County Water and Land Resources Division is a leader in diligently working to reduce destructive flooding in the County while also improving habitat for salmon and other aquatic and terrestrial species . The County also considers many other benefits in its flood control projects including equity and social justice, clean water, recreation , and open space conservation (among others) and closely coordinates with regulators, tribes and other interested parties to implement the best flood control projects possible . This coordination and attention to multi ple benefits creates great projects that improve conditions for people and animals.

Similarly , the King County Wastewater Treatment Division ’s mission is to protect public health and the environment by collecting and cleaning wastewater while recovering valuable resources for a thriving Puget Sound .

These positions will support these multi - benefit missions , and will help us protect water quality , reduce flooding and improve salmon habitat by streamlining permitting of great projects in both Divisions .

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As an Endangered Species Reviewer, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resource Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) or Wastewater Treatment Division. Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.

Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:
Coordinate with WLRD, WTD, NMFS and/or USFWS, and other federal agencies as appropriate for formal and informal ESA Section 7 consultation procedures; Meet regularly with project proponents and advise on measures to streamline and simplify federal permitting.Gather, analyze, and interpret scientific data, technical information, laws, guidelines, and policies related to fish and wildlife conservation/protection. Utilize this information to evaluate the effects of WLRD and WTD actions on aquatic and terrestrial species and habitats (especially those of listed species) and to determine compliance with the Endangered Species Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.Research and recommend Best Available Science (BAS) and Best Management Practices (BMPs) to WLRD and WTD to minimize, eliminate, or mitigate project impacts to listed species and critical habitat.Contact and coordinate with appropriate biological experts as needed depending on the listed species potentially impacted as well as on the scope and complexity of the project/proposal being evaluated.Prepare or contribute to drafting biological opinions, consultation letters, memos, and other related documentation.Perform other duties as assigned in support of KC WLRD/WTD project permitting.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in biological science or natural resource management and at least five years of experience assessing the environmental impacts of complex construction projects on marine and/or freshwater aquatic species and habitats, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Understanding of ESA-listed species in the Puget Sound region, particularly aquatic species, their life histories, habitat requirements, and recovery status.
• Experience with accomplishing work assignments independently while consistently meeting deadlines.
• Experience coordinating between a project proponent and other agencies regarding anticipated environmental impacts of proposed projects and programs.
• Experience gathering and analyzing scientific data and technical information and writing technical reports.

Competencies You Bring:

• Plans and Aligns : Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
  

• Collaborates : Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
  

• Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
  
• Builds Networks: Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
  
• Balances Stakeholders: Anticipating and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders.
  

It Would Be Great if You Also Bring:

• In-depth knowledge of Puget Sound salmon species, their life histories, habitat needs and threats from construction impacts.
• Research and/or monitoring experience assessing freshwater and/or marine aquatic species and their habitats.
• Master’s Degree in biological sciences or natural resource management.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements at King Street Center in Seattle, WA, NOAA office in Lacey, WA, or other King County project field sites typically 1 time per week. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department’s vision of Green Where We Work .
• Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to meet workplace reporting requirements.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible. The typical work schedule is 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday- Friday. Attendance at evening meetings and weekend events may be required from time to time including for staffing of the Flood Warning Center or Flood Patrol during flood emergencies.
• Union Representation: These positions are represented by PROTEC Local 17A bargaining unit.
• Physical Requirement: This position will be required to traverse uneven terrain including embankments in all weather conditions including possible inclement weather. This position may also be required to participate in flood patrol.
• Duration: This recruitment aims to fill two (2) Term-Limited Temporary (TLT), fully benefit eligible positions with an anticipated duration of 5 years. One position will report to WLRD and the other will report to WTD. If the positions are filled by a King County employee who has successfully completed their initial probation, they will be offered the role as a Special Duty Assignment.

Application and Selection Process:
We welcomeapplications from all qualified candidates. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. This posting may be used to create an eligibility list for future vacancies in similar positions over the next six months.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment physical.

Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.
To apply, submit a:

• Complete Online Application with response to supplemental questions.
• Resume.
• Cover letter.

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Isaac Good at (206) 848-0576 or igood@kingcounty.gov .

Discover More About the Water Land & Resources Division: Visit our website .

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website , explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook , X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube and Keeping King County Green News .

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our " True North ", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer:
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply :
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions related to this recruitment process, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.

For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 10/27/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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• King County Water and Land Resources Division

• 206-477-4800

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