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Washington Sea Grant (WSG) has an outstanding opportunity for a curious, collaborative, enthusiastic and self-motivated Water Quality Specialist to explore solutions to community water quality needs in Western Washington, particularly concerning coastal waters and effects on shellfish.
The Water Quality Specialist will work to address the needs of Washington’s coastal communities on a range of water quality issues that pose environmental, economic and human health and well-being risks. The diverse activities of this position include planning and facilitating events with partners, supporting community science and water quality monitoring, conducting site visits to provide technical assistance and opportunities to build new programming based on emerging understanding of community needs.
WSG has been working with communities, partners, researchers and property owners to address water quality challenges for more than 30 years. Programming has included stormwater management, community stewardship, septic system operation and maintenance, private well operation and maintenance, household chemical alternatives, aquatic invasive species education, boating pollution reduction and more. Specific issues needing attention are varied, changing and frequently unexpected, particularly in a time of rapidly growing population and numerous risks to coastal communities and resources.
Washington Sea Grant’s water quality support remains both nimble to address emerging issues and committed to supporting ongoing needs. One of these long-standing programs is SoundToxins, a community science research and monitoring program designed to provide early warning of harmful algal bloom events to minimize both human health risks and economic losses to fisheries and aquaculture. In addition to identifying and helping address water quality needs in Washington’s coastal communities, the Water Quality Specialist will collaborate with the WSG team by providing program support, participant engagement and training, as well as communications and program documentation for SoundToxin’s important partnership between environmental learning centers, Tribes, natural resource managers, researchers, shellfish growers, recreational harvesters, coastal residents and visitors and other community volunteers.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Through outreach, technical assistance, communications and community-engaged research partnerships, the Water Quality Specialist will cover broad water quality needs, particularly as it relates to impacts on coastal water, shellfish aquaculture and human health. Topics and focus areas are expected to change over time as needs in communities change. Immediate position activities will include support for the harmful algal bloom monitoring program (SoundToxins), and working with partners in South Puget Sound and Hood Canal on water quality issues for safe shellfish consumption.
Other projects in the position’s portfolio are anticipated to develop over time, pertaining to a broad suite of water quality-related topics and may include marine toxin and pollution prevention, watershed-based solutions, climate-stressors, safe drinking water and more. The Water Quality Specialist will draw from scientific, technical and place-based knowledge sources to inform and provide outreach and assistance to diverse partners and may conduct or support applied research on specific topical areas or emerging issues to meet identified public or partner needs. Duties include the following.
OUTREACH (50%)
Develop and deliver outreach and community engagement initiatives for water quality programming–including tools to address associated impacts to/benefits from shellfish and pollution prevention (e.g., from stormwater runoff, septic systems, marine debris, heavy metals, etc.)– to protect human and environmental health in coastal areas.
In collaboration with the WSG SoundToxins program team: support the monitoring needs of volunteers and partners, and coordinate annual training and meeting events.
PARTNERSHIPS (30%)
Work independently and in collaboration with partners (such as residents, communities, state agencies, tribal managers, networks, volunteers and educators) on water quality issues.
Participate in and contribute to water quality-related local meetings, community activities, professional networks and related activities.
Work with WSG staff to identify information needs or knowledge gaps related to water quality.
REPORTING AND COMMUNICATING (20%)
Participate in program-related grant writing, documentation, reporting, publications and communications.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's Degree in environmental science, biology, oceanography, fisheries, forestry, environmental education, or other related field.
4 years of water quality, water resources monitoring or management and related community engagement experience
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Experience with water quality issues (identification, monitoring, solutions)
Community outreach and engagement experience related to water resources
Project development and implementation experience
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s Degree in environmental science, biology, oceanography, fisheries, forestry, environmental education or other related field
Capacity to manage demanding workflow: initiate, manage and complete tasks with minimal supervision; work effectively with diverse constituencies in-person and remotely; and maintain attention to detail and process
Experience with marine and coastal fieldwork, data management, quality assurance and community science
Understanding of the complex relationships among federal, state, and tribal resource management authorities in Washington
Coordination and facilitation of activities with partners and volunteers, event planning, facilitation
Report writing and communications experience
WORKING CONDITIONS
Hybrid work arrangements are possible.
The Water Quality Specialist’s office is expected to be located near the communities served in South Puget Sound and Hood Canal and co-located with other WSG staff or partners. Possible office locations include Shelton, Tacoma, Puyallup, Olympia, or Bremerton. The Water Quality Specialist must have the ability to travel to field locations across the region. Work activities will occur at WSG offices, meeting facilities and outdoors at field and community locations throughout Western Washington, with a focus on the Hood Canal and South Sound region. Because the Water Quality Specialist addresses needs of the communities they serve, they will participate in or lead periodic evening and weekend events. Activities may include carrying equipment or materials in land and beach settings and may include work from small boats.
Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you log into your “My Jobs” page. If you choose to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
