Urban Watershed Ecologist

Are you interested in managing natural resources and working to restore habitat within Seattles urban creek watersheds If so read on.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking an Urban Watershed Ecologist to join its this role you will plan design and implement projects that enhance habitat manage fish and wildlife and improve watershed health. You will oversee all phases of restoration from identifying opportunities and developing scopes of work to implementation and adaptive management. The position will also involve monitoring aquatic and riparian conditions managing and analyzing data evaluating project outcomes and sharing results through reports outreach and tours that connect people to Seattles urban watersheds.

If you feel this may be the perfect job for you please continue reading and APPLY!

About Seattle Public Utilities (SPU):Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a Community Centered Utility whose mission is to foster healthy people environment and economy by partnering with our community to equitably manage water and waste resources for today and future generations. We deliver high quality vital services across four major lines of business: providing water solid waste drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and addition SPU provides drinking water for 1.5 million regional customers in Seattle and other municipalities. Our customers depend on us to deliver high quality reliable and cost-conscious utility services and to achieve the highest benefits possible for every investment we make.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) please visit:

• SPU Website
• Strategic Business Plan

SPU commits toOur City Values andRace and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting hiring and promotional opportunities.

Why join us

We know work isnt only about what you do its also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance including:

• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
• Hybrid work environment
• Generous benefits package
• Free public transportation options
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities

• Serve as project manager for creek and riparian habitat restoration projects overseeing all phases from planning and permitting to implementation and adaptive management.
• Develop and implement science-based beaver management strategies to balance habitat restoration goals with infrastructure protection.
• Conduct site assessments to determine feasibility and suitability of low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) techniques such as beaver dam analogs (BDAs) and post-assisted log structures (PALS).
• Manage consultant contracts and agency agreements including developing scopes of work managing consultant duties reviewing work products and tracking expenditures.
• Implement adaptive management approaches by integrating monitoring data and adjusting project strategies accordingly.
• Coordinate with regulatory stakeholders during design and permitting phases.
• Investigate issues through site visits documentation and reporting in response to urban watershed concerns and complaints.
• Support strategic planning for the urban creek watershed monitoring program.
• Organize and manage field surveys including flow and sediment monitoring fish surveys aquatic habitat assessments fish passage evaluations water typing and water quality sampling.
• Develop reports presentations and visualizations to communicate findings to stakeholders agencies and the public.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Experience:A minimum of five years experience in environmental research environmental law impact analysis environmental compliance toxic substance management or a related field

AND

Education:Bachelors degree in natural or physical sciences environmental sciences planning (with emphasis on environmental issues) public administration/policy (with emphasis on natural resources) or related field

OR

Experience and Education Equivalency:Other combinations of education training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability.

License Certification and Other Requirements:

Current State of Washington drivers license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Work may be performed in the field including remote wilderness locations on rivers and reservoirs hazardous waste sites household hazardous waste collection facilities and electrical facilities and/or in a normal City office/work environment.
• May be required to lift over 50 pounds.
• May be required to stand walk or bend for extended periods of time.
• May require rotating on-call duty for spill response and other emergencies.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of watershed planning ecological assessments habitat restoration fisheries biology aquatic ecology and a basic understanding of fluvial geomorphology hydrology and water chemistry.
• Experience with beaver ecology and management practices including non-lethal strategies such as flow devices exclusion fencing and relocation.
• Familiarity with low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) methods such as beaver dam analogs (BDAs) and post-assisted log structures (PALS).
• Experience acting as a project manager across multiple phases: planning permitting implementation and adaptive management.
• Familiarity with environmental regulations affecting aquatic habitat in Western Washington and state and federal fish passage requirements.
• Experience developing scopes of work tracking consultant deliverables and managing and directing contractor and consultant teams in the field.
• An awareness and commitment to advancing race and social justice equity especially in providing equitable access to drainage services.
• Experience securing and managing permits with agencies such as WDFW U.S. Army Corps of Engineers NOAA Tribes and local governments.
• Skill in using monitoring data to guide adaptive management of natural resources restoration projects and watershed assets.
• Strong GIS and spatial analysis skills for mapping habitat analysis and project planning.
• Skilled at translating technical analyses into accessible language for policymakers executive leadership and the public.

How to Apply:

• Submit complete City of Seattle online application
• Upload your current resume AND
• Include a cover letter that addresses your knowledge experience and interest related to this position

*** You must submit both a resume and cover letter. If you do not submit these documents your application will not be considered. Please ensure that BOTH documents have successfully been uploaded before submitting your application. ***

The full salary range for this position is $56.19 - $65.48 per hour.

Benefits:The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation holiday and sick leave as well as medical dental vision life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at : may apply:The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply including people of color immigrants refugees women LGBTQ people with disabilities veterans and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race color creed national origin ancestry sex marital status disability religious or political affiliation age sexual orientation or gender identity.

If you have any questions please contact Katie Muzzin at

Learn more aboutSeattle Public Utilities atour web page