Staff Scientist (Natural Resource Scientist 2)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Lacey, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Staff Scientist (Natural Resource Scientist 2) in the Environmental Assessment Program’s Statewide Coordination Section, Toxics Studies Unit. The position is based at the department’s headquarters in Lacey, Washington. The employee must live within commuting distance of the duty station. Telework and flexible scheduling are available; at least three days per week in the office are required during the training period. The schedule may be reevaluated after training and may change based on position needs. The staff scientist supports environmental data management and statewide water quality assessment work. The role assists with toxics assessments of tissue and water, manages and prepares data for database upload, supports staff using Ecology’s Environmental Information Management (EIM) systems, tests the Water Quality Assessment Automation application, and may provide intermittent field sampling assistance. The Toxics Studies Unit identifies and assesses toxic contaminants in Washington’s environment through monitoring and research to inform decisions that protect human health, wildlife, and natural resources. The position requires seven years of combined experience and/or education related to its duties, including relevant skills in teamwork, communication, problem solving, environmental data management and analysis, training, documentation, database use, data integration, and standard office software. Related education may be in natural science, data management, or a related field. Desired qualifications include knowledge of scientific research methods and chemical properties and analytical methods, experience managing large databases, and skills in adaptability, service, workload coordination, program representation, and application testing.

Requirements

Seven years of combined experience and/or education related to the duties of the position.
Education involving a major study in natural science, data management, or a related field.
Ability to work effectively with coworkers and partners to support shared scientific and data-management goals.
Ability to explain information clearly to support consistent processes and informed decision-making.
Ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and recommend solutions to maintain data accuracy and improve systems.
Ability to organize, clean, and prepare environmental data so it is complete, accurate, and ready for database upload.
Ability to teach staff to use systems and follow data processes.
Ability to create clear instructions and reference materials about data standards and submission requirements.
Ability to review and interpret environmental data to support accurate assessments of toxics in water and tissue.
Ability to use agency data systems to enter, track, and review environmental data according to program requirements.
Ability to combine field, laboratory, and contract data into complete datasets for uploads and program reporting.
Ability to use standard office software and collaboration tools to prepare documents, manage data, and communicate with staff.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of scientific research methods.
Working knowledge of chemical properties and analytical methods.
Experience managing large databases.
Ability to adapt to changing tools, procedures, and priorities.
Ability to respond promptly and helpfully to staff questions to support timely and accurate data submissions.
Ability to represent program needs and perspectives in workgroups to support system improvements and consistent practices.
Ability to manage multiple data and system tasks, meet deadlines, and produce reliable assessment results.
Ability to test system changes and identify issues to improve reliability and user experience.

Responsibilities

Support the lead senior scientist with technical assessments of toxics in tissue and water using Ecology’s Water Quality Assessment Automation application.
Transform, sort, clean, and filter toxics assessment data files for upload into the Water Quality Assessment Tracking System database, in coordination with the lead toxics senior scientist.
Train and mentor existing and new Environmental Assessment Program staff in Environmental Information Management data management techniques.
Assist in developing training materials for new staff under the direction of Ecology’s EIM lead.
Serve as the first point of contact and lead in assisting program staff with EIM data-submittal requirements and processes.
Respond promptly to program staff requests or questions about data submittals and use relevant EIM systems and program resources.
Test the Water Quality Assessment Automation application, with oversight from the lead toxics senior scientist, to support enhancements and bug fixes.
Assist the senior toxics scientist in responding to comments and feedback on draft water quality assessment results.
Provide intermittent assistance with field sampling to assess toxics in the environment.
Assist in coordinating the EAP Environmental Information Management database, including data entry, user support, training, and quality control of data entries and submittals.