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WRIA 1 Adjudications Technical Lead (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

 

The Department of Ecology is hiring a WRIA 1 Adjudications Technical Lead (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training) within the Water Resources Program.

 

Location:

  • Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA.
  • The salary listed includes an additional 5% premium pay due to the position location in King County.
  • Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

 

Schedule:

  • This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options: 
    • For the first six months, a minimum of three days per week are required in the office.
    • After successful completion of the probationary period, telework may be increased, with a minimum of one day per week required in the office. 
  • Fieldwork and travel will be required at times.
  • Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

 

Application Timeline:

  • Apply by May 14, 2025
  • This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after May 14, 2025 may not be considered.


 

 


 

 

Duties

 

Adjudication is a high-stakes legal process that identifies and notifies all water users within a basin. As a senior adjudication technical lead for the Water Resources Inventory Area (WRIA) 1 Adjudication, you will serve as a lead technical staff member assisting with the WRIA 1 Adjudication. You will also be a key link between the Northwest Regional Office Water Resources team and the Adjudications Sections.

Using highly specialized data systems, you will be responsible for researching and analyzing water rights to assess their legal extent and validity, reviewing court documents, performing water rights permitting, developing court reports, and providing recommendations to management and the legal team.

 

What you will do:

  • Analyze, interpret, and develop maps, as well as review and assess water right documents that provide the foundation for findings on the legal standing of water rights for all claimants in the WRIA 1 adjudication.
  • Process water right applications, conduct pre-application consultations, perform both office and field investigations, research and analyze water right information, and guide applicants through the process.
  • Guide and support junior section staff in conducting investigations required to respond to customer service inquiries related to water rights, mapping, and court form completion to ensure accuracy in court findings.
  • Conduct complex technical research and analysis of water right information; respond to and document customer service inquiries from adjudication claimants, assess their questions, and provide accurate water right information.
  • Perform site visits and other fieldwork to evaluate water user claims.
  • Oversee data management, database functionality testing, and data input; ensure data quality through quality assurance and quality control processes.
  • Collaborate on drafting reports to the court that form the basis for evaluating claims.
  • Develop and implement process flows and identify opportunities for operational improvements.
  • Provide strategic advice to the Adjudications Support Unit Supervisor.


 

 

 

Qualifications

 

This position offers an in-training plan and may be filled at the Environmental Specialist (ES) 2, 3, or 4 level, depending on your qualifications. If you qualify at the ES2 or ES3 level and are hired, you will progress through an in-training plan to become an ES4 within a specified time period.

 

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

 

Required Qualifications:

 

At the Environmental Specialist 2 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 45, $4,105 - $5,503 monthly

Five (5) years of experience and/or education as described below:

  • Experience performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the duties of the position that includes all of the following:
    • Familiarity with the use of maps, aerial photographs, and property records so that with limited training, could identify location of water rights and related information such as legal descriptions.
    • Production of maps using ArcPro or other digital mapping GIS systems, including labelling and graphics.
    • Exposure to the performance of site visits and other field work to evaluate environmental conditions so that with limited training, could evaluate water use claims.
    • Two (2) or more years in customer service and/or working with the public.
    • Two (2) or more years of scientific/technical writing experience.

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

  • Ability to convey complex concepts in simple terms, both in writing and verbally, with training.
  • Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.
  • Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.
  • Conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.
  • Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning; or closely related field.

 

Examples of how to qualify:

  • 5 years of experience.
  • 4 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
  • 3 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
  • 2 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
  • 1 year of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
  • No experience AND a Master’s degree or higher.



 

At the Environmental Specialist 3 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 53, $4,977 - $6,703 monthly

Six (6) years of experience and/or education as described below:

  • Experience performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the duties of the position that includes all of the following:
    • Use of maps, aerial photographs, and property records, able to identify location of water rights and related information such as legal descriptions.
    • Production of maps using ArcPro or other digital mapping GIS systems, including labelling and graphics.
    • Experience performing site visits and other field work to evaluate environmental conditions to evaluate water user claims.
    • Ability to process water right applications with senior staff guidance, conduct pre-application consultations, perform office and field investigations, conduct research and analysis of water right information, and guide applicants through the water right permitting process.
    • Three (3) or more years in customer service and/or working with the public.
    • Three (3) or more years of scientific/technical writing experience.

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

Ability to convey complex concepts in simple terms, both in writing and verbally.

Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.

Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.

Conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.

  • Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning; or closely related field.

 

Examples of how to qualify:

  • 6 years of experience.
  • 5 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
  • 4 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
  • 3 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
  • 2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
  • No experience AND a Master’s degree or higher.



 

At the Environmental Specialist 4 level (Goal Class)

Pay Range 59, $5,776 - $7,770 monthly

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:

  • Experience performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the duties of the position that includes all of the following:
    • Advanced use of maps, aerial photographs, and property records to identify location of water rights and related information such as legal descriptions.
    • Production of maps using ArcPro or other digital mapping GIS systems, including labelling and graphics.
    • Experience performing site visits and other field work to evaluate environmental conditions to evaluate water user claims.
    • Proficiency independently processing water right applications, conducting pre-application consultations, performing office and field investigations, conducting research and analysis of water right information, and independently guiding applicants through the water right permitting process.
    • Performing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) of data systems, train junior staff on data entry standards, and develop data entry, data management and QA/QC protocols.
    • Four (4) or more years in customer service and/or working with the public.
    • Four (4) or more years of scientific/technical writing experience.

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

  • Ability to convey complex concepts in simple terms, both in writing and verbally.
  • Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.
  • Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.
  • Conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.


 

  • Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning; or closely related field.

 

Examples of how to qualify:

  • 9 years of experience.
  • 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
  • 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
  • 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
  • 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
  • 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree or higher.



 

Desired Qualifications:

  • More than one year experience in adjudication information management, including records management, GIS mapping, and water right review.
  • Experience reviewing and interpreting water right documents.
  • Experience communicating with members of the public about water rights, water right documentation and adjudication.

 

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

 

Supplemental Information

 

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.

 

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:

  • Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
  • 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:

  • Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
  • 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?

  • For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Kasey Cykler at Kasey.Cykler@ecy.wa.gov
  • 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 careers@ecy.wa.gov

 

About the Water Resources Program

The mission of the Water Resources program is to support sustainable water resource management to meet current and future water needs for communities and the 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 (Download PDF reader), 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.