As the Trust Water Right Acquisition and Contract Specialist, you will help shape the future of water management in the Columbia River Basin while supporting Washington’s environmental and community needs. In this role, you also serve as the Office of Columbia River’s program expert in trust water, acquisitions, contracting, and cost reimbursement, leading efforts that expand water supplies for communities, industry, agriculture, and critical instream flows. You’ll take on some of the region’s most challenging and high-impact water management issues—complex projects that require creativity, collaboration, and a strategic mindset. Your expertise will help ensure reliable water supplies during drought, support new development, and protect the health of the Columbia River system for generations to come.
In this role, you will manage contracts, influence policy, guide project priorities, and collaborate with technical, legal, and operational teams. You’ll negotiate water banking and trust water agreements, oversee key data systems, and shape the tools used to move major water development projects forward. If you thrive in environments where innovation, problem-solving, and public impact come together, this position offers you both the platform and the purpose to make a measurable difference.
What you will do:
Serve as the program’s lead expert on trust water rights, water banking, and acquisitions, guiding complex contracting and negotiation efforts that shape long-term water supply for the Columbia River Basin.
Lead negotiations for Trust Water and Water Banking Agreements, ensuring projects align with program priorities and deliver meaningful instream and out-of-stream benefits.
Advise management on project strategy, priorities, risks, and emerging issues, helping the program navigate obstacles and make informed, high-impact decisions.
Review consultant and junior staff work on water development projects, identifying issues early and recommending corrective actions to keep projects on track and aligned with agency standards.
Direct development, scheduling, and information needs for water development projects, ensuring consistent, timely progress from concept through contracting and closure.
Operate and coordinate the program’s Cost Reimbursement process, including advising teams on when cost reimbursement is the appropriate tool versus using OCR staff for permitting.
Support the Operations Section and the Financial and Projects Section in developing and managing cost reimbursement contracts for complex, high-visibility water development efforts.
Oversee trust water and water banking data across program databases, collaborating with Water Resources staff to maintain accuracy and support informed decision-making.
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.
Required Qualifications:
Ten (10) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:
Complex Contract Negotiation and Agreement Management: Skill in negotiating, drafting, and administering complex contracts or financial agreements, including advising leadership on contract terms, risks, compliance requirements, and closing processes.
Regulatory or Legal Interpretation and Technical Review: Ability to interpret and apply statutes, rules, regulatory guidance, or contractual requirements; evaluate technical or regulatory work products for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with program standards.
Advanced Project or Program Management: Competence in planning, prioritizing, and managing multi-step projects or programs involving multiple partners, schedules, and deliverables; ensuring high-quality results under tight timelines.
Analytical Problem-Solving and Risk Identification: Skill in analyzing issues, identifying emerging risks or inconsistencies, and recommending preventative or corrective actions to inform program decisions.
Effective Communication and External Representation: Ability to communicate complex or technical information clearly to internal and external audiences; represent the program in meetings, presentations, or professional forums; collaborate effectively with other programs, agencies, partners, or organizations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Collaboration Platforms: High-level ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, MS Teams, and related tools to produce analysis, documentation, presentations, and program records.
Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, geography, law with an environmental emphasis, paralegal studies, or closely related field.
Examples of how to qualify:
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10 years of experience.
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9 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
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8 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
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7 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
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6 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
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4 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
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3 years of experience AND a Ph.D.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience leading work on controversial or high-profile resource projects requiring significant partner coordination.
Experience advising management on policy, legislation, or rulemaking related to water resources.
Experience supervising or mentoring junior staff or consultants.
Experience presenting to statewide, regional, or national commissions, conferences, or professional organizations.
Experience coordinating with Financial or Accounting units on contract funding, reimbursement structures, or project closeout.
Advanced analytical skills related to water resource project evaluation, risk assessment, or issue resolution.
If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.
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:
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Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
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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:
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Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or [email protected]
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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?
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For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Scott Turner at [email protected]
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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 [email protected]
About the Office of Columbia River
Mission: aggressively pursuing development of water supplies to benefit both instream and out-of-stream uses.
Vision: Preserve and enhance the standard of living for the people of Washington by strengthening economic conditions and restoring and protecting the Columbia Basin's unique natural environment.
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, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information
To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with 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.
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