Water Rights Customer Service Specialist (Environmental Specialist 2) (In-Training)

State of Washington•Yakima County - Union Gap, WA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Water Rights Customer Service Specialist (Environmental Specialist 2) within the Water Resources Program. This position is located in the Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA. The role involves serving as the face and voice of the section, addressing complex questions about water supply and use, connecting customers with appropriate services, and participating in a team that issues superseding documents to meet strategic production targets. It is ideal for someone who enjoys working with a wide range of personalities, continuous learning, and a rapid, diverse workload.

Requirements

Four years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the positions which demonstrates the following skills: Customer Centered Service & Compassionate Communication, Professional Writing & Documentation, Time Management & Organization, Exercise sound judgment and apply expertise appropriately to resolve issues effectively and seek supervisory guidance when needed, Collaboration & Team Support, Inquiry Triage & Routing, Digital Systems Fluency & Continuous Learning, Data Review, Reporting & Technical Document Preparation.
Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, geography, GIS, or closely related field.
Examples of how to qualify: 4 years of experience. 3 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits. 2 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree). 1 year of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits. 0 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Proficiency in English and Spanish: Ability to read, write, and speak fluently in both languages
Data Systems & GIS Basics: Ability to retrieve, update, and verify information in agency databases and GIS tools to maintain complete and accurate records.
Information Management: Research, Logging & Tracking: Ability to gather information from multiple sources and accurately log and track inquiries or data to support accountability, reporting, and operational or seasonal updates.
Regulatory & Policy Application: Ability to understand and apply relevant laws, rules, and policies to provide accurate guidance and program information.

Responsibilities

Answer and/or address customer requests as presented via phone call, in-person, and email, regarding water rights at the Central Regional Office.
Deliver respectful, accurate, and solution-focused customer service to external customers and internal staff by actively listening to and identifying customer needs and using Program expertise to assist customers.
Advise external customers on agency forms, materials, and processes, ensuring they understand next steps and available resources for effective resolution.
Inform section leadership of ongoing and emerging customer service concerns.
Using existing permitting decisions, draft superseding permits and certificates using Program templates, guidance, and best practices to help the section maintain up-to-date water right records.
Seasonally, compare instream flow requirements with actual stream flows; track the information during the period required and update curtailment and drought hotlines as needed.