Natural Resource Specialist III

Yakima County, Washington; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Yakima County Public Services, Water Resources Division is seeking a Natural Resources Specialist III to lead multi-objective water resources projects. You will manage contracts, perform data collection and modeling, and coordinate with partners to advance flood risk reduction and habitat improvements.

Requires a Civil Engineering/Hydrology background, 3 years in water resources, and strong communication skills. Fieldwork, GIS, and modeling with HEC-RAS/AutoCAD are key components of the role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Natural and Water Resources, or related field.
• 3 years working in natural or water resources, hydraulics or hydrology or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage contracts and consultants for multi-objective water resources projects.
• Perform flood mapping, flood mitigation, stream restoration and fish and wildlife enhancement.
• Develop scope of works and coordinate with partners and stakeholders.
• Collect field data (LIDAR, GPS, survey, velocity, sediment) and supervise QA/QC of data.
• Conduct GIS, HEC-RAS and AutoCAD work and interface with County GIS.
• Identify funding opportunities, draft grant applications and budgets.
• Review and monitor technical work of consultants and staff for hydraulic projects.

Skills

Contract management

Project coordination

Hydraulics modeling

Data collection

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering/Hydrology

Tools

ArcGIS

GPS

Fortran

HEC-RAS

AutoCAD

MIKE11/MIKE21

GIS/StormSHED

Job description

Natural Resources Specialist III-J23-U30-H

Regular

Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)

Job Description Summary

Pay Range: $35.83 - $45.44 hourly (CTP Pay Plan, C43 Step 1-13)

Hiring Range: $35.83 - $38.02 hourly (CTP Pay Plan, C43 Step 1-4)

Job Closing Date: Open until filled with weekly reviews.

*If a qualified candidate is selected, the posting will be closed*

There is one position with Yakima County Public Services, Water Resources Division. This position is responsible for managing contracts and consultants and conducting water resources related projects. Identifies, develops, writes scope of works, and accomplishes multi-objective water resources related projects.

Note: This is a CTP Bargaining Unit position.

Essential Duties:

Manages contracts and consultants responsible for conducting multi-objective water resources related projects. Projects include: flood mapping, flood mitigation, stream restoration and fish and wildlife enhancement, flood risk reduction planning studies, flood response studies, field data collection studies.

Identifies, develops, and writes scope of works for multi-objective water resources projects. Attends and facilitates meetings and collaborates with water resource partners and stakeholders to fulfill tasks contained in the scope of works.

Manages programs and projects to collect field data needed for implementation of multi-objective water related projects and plans. Types of field data includes LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), Global Positioning System (GPS), survey data, velocity and stream flow, sediment, and hydraulic structures data. Trains and advises county staff in Quality Control/Quality Assurance for collecting, refining, analyzing, graphing, data rejection, and using specialty software in dealing with collected field data. Maintains data base to store these field data.

Performs or oversees GIS, HEC-RAS and AutoCAD work related to Water Resources Division projects. Tasks include: design drawings; preparing files for interface with hydrologic models; preliminary mapping in GIS; mapping of storm drainage components; mapping of stream inventory data. Work closely with County GIS Department on standards, methods, and final mapping and placement onto the County GIS.

Maintains interaction and communication with local, state, federal, and tribal entities. Seeks funding from federal and state agencies to support multi-objective water related projects. Drafts grant applications and project budget sheets.

Reviews, checks, designs, and monitors technical works of consultant and county staff for water related projects. Projects include: bridge hydraulics design, sediment transport, flooding problems, stormwater issues from development project, etc. Adheres to local, state, and federal regulations such as County codes, National Flood Insurance Programs, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Phase II in reviewing these projects. Provides advice and training to staff in areas related to hydraulics and hydrological modeling.

Participates in efforts to conduct water resources related planning studies. Plans include comprehensive flood management, flood response, etc. Interacts and coordinates with different entities that have stakes in the outcome of these planning efforts.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Natural and Water Resources, or closely related field in water resources and three (3) years working in natural or water resources, civil engineering discipline or related field and specializing in the areas of hydraulics and hydrology or the equivalent education and experience to perform the essential duties of the job.

Required:

• WA State Driver’s License and proof of insurance, if requested.
• Successful completion of a general employment verification
• Ability to facilitate, present and communicate information to groups

Preferred:

• Work experience using Arc GIS and GPS, performing environmental management, research and data collection

Equipment Used: Computer and calculator. Use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. Use hydrological and hydraulic computer software including Fortran, HEC-RAS, Geo-RAS, AutoCAD, MIKE11, MIKE21, MIKEFLOOD, ArcView, GIS and StormSHED, passenger vehicle.

Working Conditions: Environmental Demands: multiple work locations, field work, may be exposed to hostile / angry individuals; work outside of standard business hours and locations. Physical Demands: reaching, standing, walking, fingering, climbing, hearing, visual acuity, talking, driving, grasping, feeling and repetitive motions. Ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written and verbal instructions. Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

Knowledge: Principles and theories of flood management; hydraulics and hydrological modeling; river hydraulics; watershed hydrology; sediment transport and geomorphology; design of hydraulic structures and related civil engineering disciplines; water quantity and quantity; stormwater design; Federal, state, and local codes and regulations; public involvement and education.

Skills: Managing complex projects; Providing technical advice to County staff; Inspecting projects for compliance with rules and regulations; Reviewing and monitoring the work of consultants; Prioritizing, using computer and related Microsoft software applications and water specialty software; Writing contract specifications; Reading and interpreting maps, blueprints, plans and specifications; Preparing pay estimates; Excellent writing and communication skills.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person’s age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.