National Estuary Program Quality Assurance Coordinator (Natural Resource Scientist 3)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a National Estuary Program Quality Assurance Coordinator (Natural Resource Scientist 3) within the Environmental Assessment Program.

This is a project position that is funded until June 30, 2026.

Location Options:

This position can be based at any of the following duty stations:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA.
• Eastern Region Office in Spokane, WA.

Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected duty station.

Schedule: 

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by February 17, 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 February 17, 2025 may not be considered.

Duties

Join our team and play an important role in restoring Puget Sound by ensuring that restoration projects meet the scientific rigor required to achieve the goals of the National Estuary Program! 

As the subject matter expert for quality assurance, you will oversee Puget Sound restoration projects across western Washington. Your work will span a diverse range of initiatives, from small-scale outreach efforts to large-scale, high-cost engineering projects. You will review and recommend approval of quality assurance project plans (QAPPs) and waivers while collaborating closely with other agencies and project leads. 

This position offers a unique opportunity to engage with a wide variety of scientific and restoration projects across Puget Sound while building connections with experts from various government agencies, non-profit organizations, universities, and Tribes. Your subject matter expertise will help ensure that restoration efforts are grounded in sound science, ultimately contributing to the long-term health of Puget Sound. 

What you will do: 

• Review QAPPs as the Subject Matter Expert, focusing on statistical and process-based modeling, ecosystem and species studies, and habitat restoration projects to ensure research is designed to meet study objectives. This includes evaluating sampling frameworks, statistical tools, and study logistics to ensure project success.
• Evaluate data reports as time allows to ensure that conclusions and recommendations are well-supported.
• Proactively communicate and coordinate with Strategic Initiative Lead subaward and grant managers on the status and requirements of individual QAPPs.
• Provide high quality customer service and support to subrecipients by clearly communicating requirements, offering technical assistance, and providing resources to meet quality assurance requirements.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website. 

Required Qualifications:

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Research Work Experience in a specific specialty field of modeling and/or biological and habitat science.
• Education involving a major study in a natural science.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 8 years of experience.
• 7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• No experience AND a Ph.D.

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.

Our Commitment to DEIR

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. 

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

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 Jessica Archer at Jessica.Archer@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 Environmental Assessment Program

The Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) is the scientific arm of the Department of Ecology, providing the science to guide the agency's regulatory decisions. EAP's mission is to measure, assess, and communicate environmental conditions in Washington state. This position is in EAP's Statewide Coordination Section, reporting to the Section Manager and collaborating closely with the Lead National Estuary Program Quality Assurance Coordinator.

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.

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 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, our Working at Ecology page, check out our Strategic Plan, and follow, like, or visit 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.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.