Environmental Scientist III (Wetland Scientist)

The Department of Local Services is seeking a dedicated experienced Environmental Scientist III to lead and support a wide range of environmental review and permitting activities for capital improvement and maintenance projects in the Road Services Division (RSD).

In this role, you will develop and review technical environmental documents in support of securing local state, and federal permits for transportation infrastructure projects. You will guide project design through mitigation and avoidance strategies, review engineering plans for environmental impact, and support mitigation monitoring efforts. Additionally, you will ensure project compliance with environmental laws and policies at all levels of government and contribute to legislative and policy responses, bringing an equity-focused lens to all aspects of your work.

If you are ready to take the lead on complex, high-profile environmental projects, and help shape the future of sustainable infrastructure in your community, we encourage you to apply.

Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our commitment to True North values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike. The King County Road Services Division designs, builds, operates, and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of King County. The Division is committed to ensuring the county's transportation system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel.

To learn more about the Road Services Division, visit us at:

Applying equity, racial, and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

To be considered for this opportunity, you must, at a minimum, demonstrate knowledge, skill, and ability to:

• Prepare comprehensive permit applications and supporting documents to secure required local, state, and federal approvals for transportation infrastructure projects.
• Review/evaluate engineering plans and construction specifications to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations; Identify and assess environmental impacts.
• Conduct comprehensive Critical Areas reviews, including wetland delineations and ratings, ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) delineations, and detailed habitat assessment, characterization, and mapping.
• Support the mitigation monitoring program, by leading/supporting the design, implementation, maintenance, and completion of monitoring plans for wetland and riparian restoration efforts related to transportation projects.
• Lead the development and negotiation of environmental review strategies, impact avoidance solutions, and mitigation measures for complex, high-visibility, and high-risk projects.
• Prepare and review draft responses to proposed legislation, community or county plans, and other agency proposals that may impact RSD projects or operations.
• Facilitate and actively contribute to meetings with a diverse group of internal and external teams, community partners, and interested parties.
• Lead Environmental Scientist I's and II's by exemplifying professional standards and facilitating mentorship and training.
• Accomplish job duties with an equity mindset.
• Perform additional duties or special projects, as assigned.

• A Bachelor's degree in ecology, environmental sciences, or closely related field; OR any combination of equivalent education, experience, or professional certifications.
• Experience leading the development and evaluation of environmental documentation, including Critical Areas reports, Wetland assessments, Biological Assessments and supporting documentation required for compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Environmental Checklists, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• Experience leading environmental permitting for public infrastructure or capital improvement projects.
• Experience conducting comprehensive Critical Areas reviews, including wetland delineations and ratings, ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) delineations, and detailed habitat assessment, characterization, and mapping
• Knowledge of western Washington ecology and environmental issues including wetlands, streams, riparian areas, and applied knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, and geomorphology related to these systems.
• Demonstrated ability managing high volume diverse assignments, effectively prioritizing competing demands, and maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and perform physically demanding tasks in the field, often in inclement weather or other harsh field conditions.
• Knowledge of equity related factors, including systemic barriers, social determinants, and institutional policies, with a strong commitment to advancing anti-racism efforts, reducing disparities, and promoting fairness, inclusion, and equitable decision making in policies, programs and practices.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; Ability to facilitate dialogue across multidisciplinary teams, agencies and community groups.
• Proficiency in the use of Adobe Acrobat Pro, Microsoft Office Suite products (Teams, Word, Excel, Project, SharePoint, and PowerPoint), GIS tools (ArcGIS Pro), and other review tools (Bluebeam Revu).
  

• Certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist (e.g., Professional Wetland Scientist or similar credential).
• Experience conducting wildlife surveys, particularly bird surveys to support Migratory Bird Treaty Act compliance.
• Experience working on transpiration on public works projects.
• Training in the Washington State Wetland Rating System and/or a 40-hour wetland delineation course (or equivalent).
  
  

• Must have a Valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to obtain one prior to start date.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle safely and travel throughout the County in all weather conditions.
• An offer of employment will be contingent on the success of a pre-employment physical examination.
  
  

• Must be able to lift, carry, move, or handle up to 50 pounds.
• Physically able to traverse by foot through densely wooded terrain and steep inclines in all weather conditions.
• This position requires fieldwork year-round in all weather conditions, the frequency of which varies with the season.

If you are selected to move forward after the phone interview, you will be invited for a 45-minute in-person interview on August 26, 2025.

WHO MAY APPLY:
This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants and may be used to fill current and or/future career service, term-limited temporary, short-term temporary, and or/special duty positions over the next six months.

First consideration will be given to current PROTEC17 members in the same classification that are eligible for lateral transfer.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
A full and complete King County application is required. You may also provide a resume and cover letter, summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.

Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews. Responses to supplemental questions must be supported in your application materials.

WORK SCHEDULE:
The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is Non-Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval.

EMERGENCYDESIGNATION STATUS:
Mission-Critical - Those employees who provide, maintain, and re-establish essential county functions as described in agency Continuity of Operations plans.

Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather.

UNION MEMBERSHIP:
This position is represented by PROTEC17.

TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT:
The work associated with this position will be performed by a combination of teleworking, field work (at least 40% of the time depending on season) year round in all weather conditions, and onsite work and meetings as needed. The responsibilities of this position will include regular and ongoing in-office work.

Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled workhours.

To learn more about the Department of Local Services, please visit our website at: style="margin: 0; padding: 0; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1); font-style: normal; text-indent: 0">

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Cassandra Montgomery
Human Resource Analyst, Senior
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Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North" , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.