Water Quality Project Inspector

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time project Water Quality Project Inspector position within the Dairy Nutrient Management Program in the Pesticide Management Division. This position is located in Bellingham, Washington. This is a non-represented position.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $48,156 Step A - $63,216 Step L annually.

Employee Benefits

• Meaningful work promoting agriculture and protecting Washington's environment.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation; click here for more information.
• Supported growth and development opportunities.
• Commute Trip Reduction Program.
• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.

Include, but not limited to:

• Provide technical assistance to regulated facility operators through interpretation, guidance, and other assistance.
• Collaborate with the NEP project lead and others in the Program to evaluate objectives, prioritize deliverables, implement work plans, and refine methods.
• Develop and implement specialized inspections or inspection strategies that improve on-farm practices and water quality outcomes.
• Coordinate with Conservation Districts, Conservation Commission, and Natural Resource Conservation Service on technical issues, farm planning, and management practices.
• Report on Program measures of success, lessons learned, and outcomes associated with the NEP grant.
• Identify and recommend or require appropriate actions to address water quality issues toprotect human health and the environment.
• Conduct CAFO permit inspections, providing regulatory technical assistance on permit compliance.
• Document the status of collection, containment, storage, transfer systems and the agronomic use of manure and other potential pollutants.
• Attend and speak at public meetings and conferences as a Program representative, providing input and support for strategies that reduce impacts to water quality from dairies and permitted CAFOs.
• Prioritize, manage, track and complete inspections to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
• Collaborate with local Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) programs in Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties to jointly reduce manure impacts to water quality within shellfish growing areas.
• Conduct NEP focus area source identification water sampling around storm events, conduct field surveys, map nutrient applications, perform investigations, and provide technical assistance.
• Manage water quality results from multiple projects and prepare data for upload.
• Inspect and review management practices on farms and ensure appropriate measures are in place and used to manage livestock manure, wastewater, and other sources of potential water pollution at regulated livestock facilities.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Involving major study in agricultural, environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, or allied field.
• Experience: In environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning, which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 (ES3) or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 (ES2) or above. Additional qualifying experience may substitute, year for year, for education.

• Agronomy and agricultural best management practices.
• Compliance inspections, investigation, or code enforcement.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) field data collection, data analysis, and data management.
• Natural resources monitoring and data analysis.
• Water quality permits.
• On-farm experience and familiarity with dairy and/or livestock industry practices.

• Certified Crop Advisor.
• Nutrient management planning or consulting certifications including but not limited to:
  • Dairy Nutrient Management Planner.
  • Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planner.
  • Certified Crop Advisor.
  • Certified Professional Agronomist.
• Certified Professional Agronomist.
• Dairy Nutrient Management Planner.
• Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planner.

• Current resume detailing experience and education
• A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
• Three professional references

The Washington State Department of Agriculture requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes and should be requested a minimum of (7) seven days prior to the first day of employment. Accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.

Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.