Full-Time Environmental Specialist – Biologist, Planning and Development Services
Job Description
The City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services Department is looking for an experienced, customer-service driven individual to join our Natural Resource Team. The Environmental Specialist – Biologist will process environmental permits, will participate in community outreach related to Tacoma’s environmental programs, will review development permits for compliance with the City’s environmental codes, and will assist agencies, departments, developers, consultants, and homeowners navigate City of Tacoma’s codes and permit process.
The Environmental Specialist – Biologist will:
- Manage the environmental permitting of a diverse range of development projects (e.g. evaluating wetland reports, biological evaluations, JARPAs, habitat assessments, shoreline assessments, and mitigation and monitoring plans).
- Help customers navigate the City’s Critical Areas codes by answering general questions, participating in pre-development review meetings, processing permits, and resolving violations.
- Assist with updates to environmental codes as needed.
- Participate in mapping critical area locations in the City’s GIS system.
- Provide general education about critical areas (e.g. what are they, why are they important) to customers, the public, and other stakeholders.
- Perform field work as needed in support of the above work.
The Department Mission:
The Planning & Development Service Department’s (PDS) mission is to partner with the community to build a livable, sustainable, and safe City by providing strategic, timely, predictable, cost-effective planning and development services with a culture focused on community engagement, customer service, creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate will have broad experience, understanding, and knowledge of local environmental regulations, as well as state and federal laws regarding environmental permitting. The person in this role will thrive in a dynamic work environment, enjoy traversing the City’s open spaces, wetlands, and steep slopes, and be energized by daily interaction with other department staff, residents, developers, architects, consultants, biologists, and home owners. The Environmental Specialist – Biologist should have a passion for educating our community about the City’s natural systems, solving problems and helping people navigate the City’s codes. The ideal candidate will balance a work environment that has competing interests and successfully manage multiple tasks within prescribed timelines.
The ideal candidate will come to work each day committed to:
- Building confidence and trust with others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity;
- Relishing in the opportunity to build relationships with the community the City serves and the customers;
- Approaching projects with curiosity and seeking understanding from all stakeholders;
- An awareness of their own biases and willingness to adjust communication/collaboration accordingly;
- Valuing the input different perspectives and cultures bring to the organization;
- Administering City codes and processes as a “navigator” rather than a “regulator”.
The Essential Duties listed below are from the general Environmental Specialist Classification. Please refer to the Position Description and Candidate Profile for a more detailed description.
Essential Duties:
- Provide guidance and assistance with a wide variety of programs including hazardous waste management, hazardous materials, water pollution control, oil spill contingency planning, noise pollution control, air quality and site investigation and remediation.
- Perform environmental inspections and environmental permit applications.
- Develop scope of work, evaluate proposals, recommend contractor(s), monitor performance, and maintain records of consultants, disposal contractors, reclamation contractors and contract laboratories.
- Conduct surveys, forecasts, plans and studies related to various environmental projects and programs such as stream flow studies, cost estimates and emergency actions.
- Serve as environmental affairs liaison with federal, state, and local government agencies and with regional associations.
- Monitor and update equipment and hazardous material and waste handling practices, guidelines, and documentation to ensure uniform compliance with regulations.
- Ensure proper cleanup and sampling procedures at spill sites.
- Schedule and conduct environmental field investigations and audits.
- Assist Senior Environmental Specialists on environmental projects or programs.
- Compile project information and prepare reports; maintain project records and files as required.
- Assist operations groups in maintaining compliance with environmental regulations.
The Principles that Guide Us:
Tacoma, the City of Destiny, has a workforce of dedicated, talented and open-minded employees with unique skills and perspectives. We embrace innovation and strive for excellence and community engagement in all that we do. The Principles that Guide Us, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Equity, speak to the values that we embody as City of Tacoma employees, and represent the core of our work in public service.
City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma’s diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma’s entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A Bachelor’s degree in science, planning or a related environmental field
AND
Two (2) years of related work experience.
Experience may be substituted for education at a ratio of two (2) years experience for one (1) year of education.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid Washington State Driver’s License and maintenance thereafter. Must complete a 40-hour Personal Protection and Safety Certificate prior to completion of probation.
A Professional Wetland Scientist Certification is desired.
Knowledge & Skills
TECHNICAL
- Apply principles, practices, methods and techniques of environmental science in assisting the City of Tacoma to meet its environmental obligations and goals.
- Operate a personal computer and associated technical software.
- Perform environmental field investigations and audits.
- Interpret and apply federal, state, and local regulations and policies.
- Conduct basic environmental science research.
- Knowledge of Federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
- Work from blueprints, shop drawings and sketches.
- Gather data from diverse sources, analyze and evaluate situations, form conclusions, and develop timely solutions consistent with environmental policy, regulations, and technical feasibility.
- Perform difficult and complex engineering mathematical computations.
COMMUNICATIONS
- Prepare effective oral and written communications for professional staff and the general public. Explain complex environmental issues and regulations in support of City activities.
- Understand and follow oral and written directions.
- Correct English usage and grammar.
LEADERSHIP
- Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with internal project teams, regulators and City stakeholder groups.
- Work independently.
- Plan, coordinate, implement, and administer a comprehensive environmental project or program.
- Cooperatively assist managers to effectively discharge their operational responsibilities.
- Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action. Plan and organize work.
- Meet schedules and deadlines.
- Understand the organization, policies, and functions of City Government.
PROFESSIONAL
- Maintain knowledge of various local, state, and federal environmental regulations.
- Understand relevant technical and regulatory standards as they apply to the Specialist’s area of responsibility. This includes acquiring licensure, registration, or certification in the technical discipline relevant to the work requirements.
How to Apply
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/tacoma/jobs/3104998/environmental-specialist-biologist-planning-and-development-services?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs To be considered for this opportunity: Interested individuals must apply online and meet the minimum qualifications to progress in the examination process. Applicants can attach a detailed resume and cover letter describing your job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position if they choose. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement. Candidates who are eligible for Veteran's Preference scoring criteria must attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4, (proof of military discharge form) at time of application, to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference points, with redacted birth date and social security numbers. Examination Process: This is a competitive selection process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to Supplemental Questions #7-10 reviewed and scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test. It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers. DO NOT respond with "see resume" in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a failing score. Per City of Tacoma Personnel Management Policy #170, the City of Tacoma is a drug-free work environment. Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background and references check. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification. The Community: Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city that sits along the Puget Sound with a population of nearly 210,000. The third largest city in the state of Washington, it is a diverse, progressive international gateway to the Pacific Rim. Its prime location – just 20 minutes south of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 30 miles north of the state capital in Olympia, and within 10 miles of the U.S. Department of Defense's premier military installation on the West Coast – only adds to Tacoma's desirability. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video! When you work for the City of Tacoma you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work/life balance, the potential for flexible work schedules (with some job classifications), continuing education programs, leadership pathways, wellness incentives and a total rewards benefits program. We welcome you to take a look at our website and discover how the City of Tacoma can make your next career move part of our combined destiny: http://www.cityoftacoma.org/newhires http://www.cityoftacoma.org/ http://www.traveltacoma.com/ The City of Tacoma believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Communication from the City of Tacoma: We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders. The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend at least an hour entering information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement. For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, please call Human Resources at (253) 591.5400 before 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement.363 total views, 0 today