Stream Ecology Programs Supervisor

Summary

**This opportunity is open to current King County employees only. We are not accepting external applications at this time.**

Come join our team as a Stream Ecology Programs Supervisor (ES IV Supervisor) as we protect clean water and restore healthy habitat for the benefit of people, salmon, and orca. Your work will help King County make good decisions about leading applied research, managing environmental monitoring programs, delivering technical services, and informing evidence-based policies and regulations. As part you as a Stream Ecology Programs Supervisor, You will be responsible for designing and implementing long-term monitoring to detect changes as well as targeted studies to explain those changes.

About the Role:
As Stream Ecology Programs Supervisor, your mission will be tracking the ecological health of King County streams. The person in this position will be both an excellent supervisor and a regional expert in stream ecology. You will be responsible for designing and implementing long-term monitoring to detect changes as well as targeted studies to explain those changes. As a people leader, you will supervise a 2-person team and approximately 5 seasonal field staff. In 2025, you will collaboratively establish and launch a new ‘Integrated Stream Program’. You will work closely with the unit supervisor to advance the strategic agenda of the Science and Technical Support Section. If you’re passionate about stream ecology, enjoy leading highly effective teams, and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, we invite you to join our team

About the Team:
We at the Science and Technical Support Section (STSS) of Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) are a Seattle-based team building the scientific foundation for King County to protect water quality and restore habitat for the benefit of people, salmon, and orca. We lead applied research, manage environmental monitoring programs, deliver technical services, and inform evidence-based policies and regulations.

With more than 40 technical staff producing credible and innovative, applied science and technical guidance to benefit people and the environment, we build the scientific frameworks informing evidence-based policies and management decisions. We lead environmental investigations, manage monitoring programs, and support clients and partners with technical services. We collaborate with many County sections, local jurisdictions, universities, and state agencies.
Why is this a great opportunity?
This is a great opportunity to join an organization that believes in ‘breaking trail’ through collective action. We seek to make scientific discoveries that shape environmental regulations and polices. Our work informs how millions of dollars are invested to protect and restore clean water and healthy habitat.

At King County, your work will have meaning and impact, affecting the lives of people and the environment, and advancing environmental justice. You’ll collaborate with your supervisor to ensure you and your team design useful studies, gather reliable evidence, address emerging issues, and contribute to effective and equitable solutions. In this role, you will join a respected and motivated team of scientists that supports both King County and regional leaders, keeping communities at the heart of our work.

Commitment to Equity, Racial 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 a Stream Ecology Programs Supervisor (ES IV Supervisor), 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 Resources Division (WLRD) of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) . 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:

• Lead and manage Stream Ecology programs/projects, including Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Program and Integrated Stream Program, as well as the Puget Sound Stream Benthos Database and application;
• Supervise 2 full-time employees and approx. 5 seasonal field technicians; direct work, establish work plans and performance goals, counsel employees on professional development/training;
• Design and implement technically advanced research and analyses to detect and diagnose impacts to County streams and recommend solutions; prepare comprehensive reports and manuscripts suitable for publication in scientific journals;
• Provide expert-level scientific consultation to internal and external work groups; participate in Puget Sound Vital Signs program and/or similar;
• Collaborate with Unit Supervisor and Section Manager to develop scope and schedule for current workplans, procure resources for new programs and studies, help implement the vision and mission of Science Technical Support Section

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

• Experience supervising a team that works both in office and out in the field.
• Proven ability and experience managing all aspects of a long-term (e.g.; 10 years) monitoring program.
• Specialized scientific knowledge of Puget Sound area stream ecology, benthic macroinvertebrates, taxonomic classification, and data analysis and interpretation
• 15 years of experience in environmental, biological, and ecological work
• Extensive experience using statistical program R for data analysis
• Experience in communicating scientific findings to various audiences in plain language and accessible visuals

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with running and maintaining a largescale database for environmental data.
  
• Lead author on one or more peer-reviewed research articles in high-impact scientific journal.
  
• Familiarity with Puget Sound Partnerships Vital Signs program and related indicators.
  

Key Competencies:

• Plans and Aligns - Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Ensures Accountability - Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Values Differences - Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Communicates Effectively - Is effective in a variety of communication settings; Attentively listens to others; Provides timely and helpful information to others across the organization; Encourages the open and respectful expression of diverse ideas and opinions.
• Collaborates - Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details:
  Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite/field reporting requirements on Day 1 (orientation day) and typically 1-3 days per month. 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 King County worksites to meet onsite 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.
• Union Representation: This position is represented by PROTEC Local 17A.
• Necessary Special Requirements:
  • Valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to starting work if selected for this position.
  • The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment physical.
• Physical Requirements:
  This position requires the ability to conduct physical site inspections and evaluations, including in times of inclement weather conditions. There is often a need to walk on uneven terrain, for extended periods of time. Field conditions include brushy, forested environments, river, stream and wetland corridors, and slippery, uneven surfaces and adverse outdoor weather conditions. Work tasks also may include in-water situations involving wading and the use of rafts. Ability to work long hours outside conducting field work and occasionally in inclement weather is necessary.

Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but first consideration will be given to all current King County PROTEC Local 17A bargaining unit employees eligible for a lateral transfer (transferring within the Environmental Scientist IV classification and having passed probation). We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

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.

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume (Your resume should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Cover Letter (Your cover letter should detail your background and what you can bring to this position and will be used in the screening process; we’re looking for original writing that showcases your relevant job experience )

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

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jamie Jensen-Young at 206-263-8779 or jjensenyoung@kingcounty.gov.

Forbes 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 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:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• 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: eligible King County employees may 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: 6/4/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• King County Water and Land Resources Division

• 206-477-4800

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