Natural Resource Specialist III

Yakima County; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 49,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental,

Job summary

Yakima County is seeking a Natural Resources Specialist III in the Water Resources Division to manage contracts and consultants on multi-objective water resources projects such as flood mapping and stream restoration.

Responsibilities include field data collection, GIS/HEC‑RAS/AutoCAD work, and coordination with partners to meet project scopes. Requires a civil engineering related bachelor’s degree and travel flexibility; OT eligibility applies.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Natural and Water Resources, or closely related field.
• WA Driver’s license and ability to travel as required.
• Experience with ArcGIS or GPS is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages contracts and consultants for multi-objective water resources projects.
• Projects include flood mapping, flood mitigation, stream restoration and fish and wildlife enhancement.
• Identifies and writes scope of works for water resources projects.
• Attends meetings with partners to fulfill scope of works.
• Collects field data (LIDAR, GPS, survey, velocity, etc.) for project needs.
• Trains staff in QA/QC for field data and uses water software.
• Performs GIS, HEC-RAS and AutoCAD work for division projects.

Skills

Contract management

Project management

Technical advisory

Regulatory compliance

Reading maps & blueprints

Pay estimates

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Natural and Water Resources, or closely related field

Tools

ArcGIS

GPS

HEC-RAS

AutoCAD

Fortran

MIKE11

MIKE21

MIKEFLOOD

ArcView / GIS / StormSHED

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Access

Job description

The mission of Yakima County Government is to provide accessible, responsive and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs.

Our Values: Integrity Common Sense Innovation Accountability

Position Data: Natural Resources Specialist III-J23-U30-H Regular Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)

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.

Benefits included in position

• Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
• Retirement Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave

Note: This is a CTP Bargaining Unit position. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within 90 days of the closing of this position. (This excludes Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Department of Corrections)

Responsibilities

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

Education: 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.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish the information.

Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information.

Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer.

Yakima County Benefits Snapshot

• Eligibility for benefits are dependent upon Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) and if your position type is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.
• Medical, Dental, Prescription and Vision Coverage Basic Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA- VEBA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Voluntary Benefits – vision, term life, critical illness, disability and other insurance plans
• Washington State Retirement Plan (DRS) 457 Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
• Paid Vacation, Ten Paid Holidays and Sick Leave

Yakima County is located in Central Washington, Yakima County is large (4,200 square miles) and diverse. Residents enjoy 300 days of sunshine each year and four distinct seasons. Yakima County is ranked first in the state in agricultural production, and is one of the top five areas in the nation in production of specialty crops. Irrigated farmlands and rolling foothills provide a backdrop to the nearby Cascade Mountains. Around 70 percent of the County’s 226,000 residents live in its 14 cities, towns and urban growth areas. The unique blend of rural and urban lifestyle choices offers a quality of living unsurpassed in the Northwest.

Check out the County’s website at www.yakimacounty.us for more information.