Natural Resources Specialist I

Pay Range:

$32.25 - $40.91 per hour (CTP Pay Plan, C41 Step 1-13)

Hiring Range:

$32.25 - $34.23 (CTP Pay Plan, C41 Step 1-4 DOQ)

Job Closing Date:

May 24, 2026, with weekly reviews. There is one Natural Resources Specialist I opening with the Yakima County Public Services, Water Resources Division. This position is responsible for coordinating and implementing project components and tasks for floodplain, storm water, groundwater or watershed projects. Activities include prepare permit applications & ensure project compliance, prepare grant applications, project tracking, field study, GIS and HEC-RAS analysis, and small contract administration.

Essential Duties:

Carry out storm water, floodplain, and water resource related management project, program and plan components. Ensure required plan elements and permits are considered in planning processes, track and prepare reports on implementation actions and success. Examples include permitting, construction oversight, re-vegetation, utility coordination, or remediation. Use GIS, HEC-RAS or field study to research and analyze groundwater, storm water and floodplain issues; write reports based on research; provide recommendations to other staff and management consistent with goals & policies. Develop and maintain working relationships with community, regional, and state contacts. Coordinate efforts between numerous committees, agencies, staff and volunteers; reviews legislation and planning guidance; provides communication of new laws, information and new programs related to storm water and flood awareness. Provide staff reports to supervisors, advisory boards and committees. Prepare scopes of work, negotiate inter local agreements, contracts, or track small works or non-engineering (professional services) contracts and budgets. Research funding sources; writes grants and proposals, determines needs and administers grants and/or funds raised. Prepares, negotiates and tracks contracts and budgets. Perform other duties as assigned Associate degree or two-year technical certificate: Type of degree/certificate: Environmental Sciences or Engineering AND 4 years of experience working with local, state, federal government natural resource permitting, planning or management or the equivalent education and experience to perform the essential duties of the job.

Required:

WA State Driver's License or ability to obtain one and proof of insurance, if requested. Proficiency with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and GIS. Successful completion of a general employment verification

Preferred:

Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Engineering, Fish or Wildlife Management, Environmental Science, or closely related field in water resources Experience working with local, state, federal government natural resource permitting, planning or management or related consulting experience with an emphasis on water resources or one (1) year of the above experience with a master's degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Engineering, Fish or Wildlife Management, Environmental Science, or closely related field in water resources or an equivalent. Experience using surface water or flood software. (Hec-Ras, SWMM)

Equipment Used:

Regularly use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, GIS and hydraulic computer software including ArcMap and HEC-RAS, field vehicle, laptop computer, and camera. Intermittently use field equipment (sieves, chemical test kits, water and soil sampling equipment), boat, GPS equipment, waders.

Working Conditions:

This position is rated as

Sedentary Work:

Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Environment:

exposure to weather, extreme temperatures, travel, multiple work locations, field work, may be required to work/travel in field on intermittent basis, and field work may consist of work on ground, rivers and streams. May be required to perform field work; operate county vehicle.

Physical Demands:

carrying, pulling, pushing, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, hearing, talking, and visual acuity.

Intellectual Demands:

ability to multitask, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, and ability to follow verbal instruction.

Knowledge:

Knowledge of storm water regulatory issues. Knowledge of Clean Water Act and State Pollution Control Act; state and federal environmental laws and permits (State HPA, SEPA, some ESA). Knowledge of environmental sampling methods. Knowledge of GIS and surface water software such as HEC-RAS. Some knowledge of basic river and creek restoration principals. Some knowledge of flooding issues and management strategies. Some knowledge of state and federal flood management programs and regulations. Skills (and abilities): Skill in field techniques for surface water management and studies. Skill in obtaining permits, writing reports and plans. Skill in working as part of and facilitating team efforts.