Urban Watershed Ecologist na City of Seattle, WA

About the Department

Are you interested in managing natural resources and working to restore habitat within Seattle’s urban creek watersheds? If so, read on.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking an Urban Watershed Ecologist to join its team. In 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 Seattle’s 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 businesses. In 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 to Our City Values and Race 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 isn't only about what you do it’s 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

Position Duties

• 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. 

Minimum Qualifications

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: Bachelor's 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 driver's 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.

Other Qualifications

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 City's website at :https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans. 

Who 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 [email protected] 

Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities at our web page www.seattle.gov/util/.