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Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 Vaccination as part of the hire process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 Vaccination” in the subject line.  

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Office of Columbia River (OCR) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill an Operations Manager (WMS Band 2) position. This position is located in our Central Regional Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.

As The Operations Manager, you will join a strong and dynamic management team within a fast-growing and highly productive program. The Office of Columbia River (OCR) was established following codification of Chapter 90.90 RCW, and given the mission to aggressively pursue the development of new water supplies for both instream and out-of-stream uses in the Columbia River Basin. In this role, you will work closely with various tribal, federal, state and local entities in efforts to develop water supplies. You will maintain communication and collaboration with the Water Resources Program Leadership Team with focus on maintaining partnerships with the eastern and central regional section managers, where customers and stakeholders are often shared. The Operations team is made up of professionals that work on permitting water rights in conjunction with conservation projects and development efforts to support families, farms and fish.

OCR is tasked with pursuing water development in the Columbia River Basin, by collaborating with various partners of both shared and opposing agendas for water resources in the state. This position will play a key role in creating long-term successes in collaborative projects observed not only by local entities, but also on a national and international scale as water supplies are on the minds of government leaders everywhere.

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embrace the value of people.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
  • An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
  • Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.


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.
 
Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
 
Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
 
Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
 
Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
 
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. 

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding building occupancy, mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. This position may be needed to work in the office up to three days per week.
 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of November 29, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before November 28, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Duties


What makes this role unique? 

This position assures that regulation, allocation, conservation and protection of water resources while pursuing development of new water supplies, is consistent with laws, rules, policies and procedures to achieve the maximum net benefit to the residents of the state. This position manages the Columbia River Water Resources Program responsibly, and makes best and balanced use of these scarce public resources. The Office of Columbia River (OCR) sets a standard for coordination and collaboration of multiple users with contrary interests in water supplies, setting an example of success in adaptive management of multi-phased large scale project in central and eastern Washington that develop water for in stream and out of stream supplies. Examples of such projects include the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan and the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program.

Duties:
 
  • Plan, lead, organize, and control the work performed by OCR staff. Assure appropriate and optimum use of the organization’s resources and enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities. 
  • Support effective communications throughout the organization. Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the state’s goals for a diverse workforce.
  • Implement, enforce, and ensure compliance with laws, rules, policies, and develop procedures to protect and manage the ground and surface waters of the Columbia Basin in the best public interest.
  • Perform final review and approval for delegated signature authority actions including water right permits and certificates, enforcement actions, civil penalties, contracts, purchasing and personnel actions.
  • Manage field and technical investigations and studies to assess water availability.
  • Ensure quality and consistency of staff recommendations, reports, and decisions.
  • Balance competing needs/demands, protect the public interest, and maximize benefits to citizens of the state in every water right permit decision.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

Option 1:
A Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, public administration, or other qualifying discipline.
 
AND
 
Four years of professional level environmental analysis, control, or environmental project management experience. Experience must include at least two years of supervisory experience.

Option 2:
A Master’s degree or higher in engineering, environmental science, public administration, or other qualifying discipline.
 
AND
 
Two years of professional level environmental analysis, control, or environmental project management experience. Experience must include at least two years of supervisory experience.

Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

  • Four or more years of experience supervising a work unit. 
  • Knowledge of state water resources laws and issues. 
  • Employee should show evidence of or have completed the following training programs and certifications within the first 12 months of employment:
  • CPR certification.
  • Introductory management courses.
  • Sexual Harassment Awareness and Prevention.
  • Workplace diversity.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Supplemental Information

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 candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

  • Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
  • If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
  • If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.  

Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

  • A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
  • A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
  • Three professional references.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable. 
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

  • Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
  • Do not attach documents that are password protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees: 
 
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Thomas Tebb at: Thomas.tebb@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Tom to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service 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.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram 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. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.