Padilla Bay Monitoring and Laboratory Specialist; Environmental Specialist

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Padilla Bay Monitoring and Laboratory Specialist (Environmental Specialist 2 or
3) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance Program. This is an In-Training position. The goal class for this position is Environmental Specialist (ES3). Applicants who meet the requirements for the ES2 and ES3 levels will be considered.

This project position is funded until December 31, 2026
. Continuation beyond this date is determined annually, contingent on funding and satisfactory performance.

• This position will be located in our Padilla Bay Office in Mount Vernon, WA.

• This position is NOT eligible for telework. Duties include regular field and laboratory work requiring on-site presence.

• Apply by January 28, 2026.
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the above date may not be considered.

• Lead Laboratory Operations: oversee the Padilla Bay laboratory, maintain and repair instruments, and ensure the facility remains accredited and safe.
• Manage Critical Data: perform rigorous QA/QC on environmental data, develop metadata, and manage databases to ensure accurate information is submitted to the national data center.
• Conduct Field Research: collect, process, and analyze water samples; conduct habitat monitoring in intertidal and nearshore environments; operate research vessels; and perform SCUBA diving tasks to support diverse monitoring activities.
• Analyze and Synthesize Findings: use statistical and geospatial (GIS) tools to analyze monitoring results, producing maps, reports, and publications that communicate findings to partners, scientists, and the public.
• Support the Scientific Community: act as a mentor and technical lead, training staff, student researchers, and volunteers on laboratory equipment use, field safety, and standardized sampling procedures.
• Coordinate Nationally: serve as a primary liaison to the NERRS Central Data Management Office, ensuring Padilla Bay’s monitoring programs align with national standards.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

This is an In-Training position. The goal class for this position is Environmental Specialist 3 (ES3). If the finalist meets the requirements for the ES2 level, they will be hired at that level and placed into a training program to become an ES3 within a specified period of time.

• Five years of experience and/or education as described below:
• Experience
  : professional level experience in hands‑on environmental monitoring or research.
• Education
  : major study in environmental, physical, or natural sciences, environmental planning, or another allied field.
• Examples of how to qualify:
  • 5 years of experience.
  • 4 years of experience AND 30‑59 semester or 45‑89 quarter college credits.
  • 3 years of experience AND 60‑89 semester or 90‑134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
  • 2 years of experience AND 90‑119 semester or 135‑179 quarter college credits.
  • 1 year of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
  • A Master’s degree or above.

• Six years of experience and/or education as described below:
• Experience
  : professional level experience in hands‑on environmental monitoring or research.
• Education
  : major study in environmental, physical, or natural sciences, environmental planning, or another allied field.
• Examples of how to qualify:
  • 6 years of experience.
  • 5 years of experience AND 30‑59 semester or 45‑89 quarter college credits.
  • 4 years of experience AND 60‑89 semester or 90‑134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
  • 3 years of experience AND 90‑119 semester or 135‑179 quarter college credits.
  • 2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
  • A Master’s degree or above.

• Experience on small boats or motorized watercraft.
• Experience conducting laboratory procedures using technical equipment.
• Experience conducting…