Job Description

Salary Range: $73,819.20 – $94,598.40 Annually

Do you have a passion for protecting the drinking water supply and the natural areas that produce and convey the water?  Are you looking for a role where you can work in the field but also utilize your technical skills in an office setting to help solve environmental and source water protection challenges?  If you answered yes, our Watershed Services team is looking for you!

Tacoma Water is seeking a highly motivated Natural Resource Specialist I to help protect our drinking water supply by applying professional organizational skills as well as technical field skills. The Green River Watershed is a multiple mixed-use watershed, comprising multiple stakeholders working in the landscape. This position facilitates the interaction between these agencies by navigating their distinct goals through a lens of rigorous water quality standards. Daily in field involvement with projects and programs occurring in the watershed is essential for success in this role.

This position requires daily, onsite attendance at Tacoma Water’s Green River Watershed Operations building located in Ravensdale, WA.

Responsibilities include the following:

• Work closely with partner agencies and user groups, including but not limited to Tribal entities, US Forest Service, Bonneville Power Administration, US Army Corps of Engineers, BNSF Railway, Puget Sound Energy, State and private timber companies and recreationalists, to ensure water quality measures and sound environmental practices are being applied within the Green River Watershed.
• Assist in the development and implementation of an Integrated Pest Management plan. Perform noxious weed control including biological  and cultural control, mechanical removal and chemical application to effectively control or abate noxious weeds on Tacoma-owned lands within the Green River Watershed.
• Work with Watershed Services team members to develop and implement emergency plans and standard operating procedures surrounding contamination issues or general operations supporting water production.
• Maintain and implement the snow survey program and other weather monitoring programs and advance these programs as needed or directed.
• Conduct and/or lead small projects or studies as emergencies or events occur.
• Remain current on issues related to natural resource management, source drinking water protection and regulations through continuing education, seminars and independent research

The position is stationed at the Green River Operations Center in the upper Green River Municipal Watershed near Ravensdale in King County.  The uninhabited 231 square mile watershed extends from the crest of the Cascade Mountains to the Headworks Diversion Dam located at river mile 61 on the Green River at an elevation of about 900 feet.

For more than 90 years, Tacoma Water has co-managed the Green River Watershed as the primary source of its drinking water. This forested land serves as a collecting point for melting snow and seasonal rainfall. The watershed covers 147,394 acres on the west flank of the Cascade Mountains between Chinook and Snoqualmie passes. Tacoma Water owns only 11% of the watershed, but has agreements with other landowners and stakeholders to limit activities in order to keep the Green River water supply clean and pristine.

The Green River is also the water source for a regional partnership formed by the City of Kent, the Covington Water District, the Lakehaven Water and Sewer District and Tacoma Water. The Regional Water Supply System supplies up to 65 million gallons per day to Tacoma Water and its  partners. Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in biology, environmental science, forestry, resource management or other science related to area of specialty and 2 years of related work experience; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, forestry, resource management or other science related to area of specialty

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Washington State Pesticide Applicator license (must be able to obtain within first 9 months of employment)
• Valid Driver’s License at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter
• Position requires extensive walking and climbing on uneven terrain
• CPR and First Aid certification

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Individual positions may involve varying proportions of work in indoor and outdoor environments.
• Individual positions may require the ability to:
  • Move up to 50 pounds
  • Drive on logging roads during adverse weather conditions
  • Proficiently operate power boats and/or rowing/paddle craft, four-wheel drive and off-road vehicles
  • Operate various equipment and hand tools associated with job duties
  • Swim in swift flowing rivers and streams
  • Walk extensively and hike over rugged terrain
  • Perform arduous duties under trying conditions
  • Work occasionally on evenings and weekends

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of and ability to identify terrestrial and aquatic invasive species, desired
• ICS training, desired
• Forest Practices, desired
• Ability to work in all weather conditions
• Competency in electronic field data collection methods
• Ability to operate chainsaws

Core Competencies:

Action Oriented
Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm

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 difference audiences

Courage
Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said

Customer Focus
Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions

Nimble Learning
Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder

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

Situational Adaptability
Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations  Selection Process & Supplemental Information

This recruitment is being managed by Marisa Tetreault; if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on LinkedIn!

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma’s diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma’s entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress.  One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Tacoma Water
Tacoma Water  has a proud tradition of operating and maintaining one of the country’s oldest municipally owned water systems. We provide high-quality water at very competitive prices. We provide direct service to more than 300,000 people throughout Pierce and King counties.

Our mission is to provide clean, reliable water.  If you share our values of Safety, Customer-driven, Employee Invested, Stewardship, and Adaptability; if you have the courage to challenge and be challenged; if you demonstrate mutual respect; if you have a passion for your work; if you are team oriented; and if you value innovation, we are looking for you.

Apply
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received for interview consideration.

Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates and appointment is subject to passing a background check.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

If you have any additional questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400 before 4pm on the closing date of this posting.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Water. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

Apply for this Job