Title- Water Rights Specialist 
Classification- Program Specialist 5
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

This recruitment will be posted until September 24, 2024 with a first review of applications taking place on September 10, 2024. Application review is ongoing, please submit your application materials as soon as possible. This recruitment may be closed anytime following the first review. 

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

WDFW oversees over a million acres of diverse lands, including hatcheries and wildlife areas, where secure water rights are vital for their operation. 

In this role, envision yourself managing WDFW's water rights, ensuring compliance, facilitating transfers, and updating rights as needed to support the agency's management of these essential resources.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Water Rights Specialist will, 

Provide technical assistance and consultative services to agency staff:

• Research and interpret water rights documents in support of property management actions including ag lease and grazing permit review. 
• Assist wildlife area and hatchery staff with technical water rights issues. 
• Draft necessary forms for extensions to permits, changes to current certificates (such as point of diversion or putting into temporary trust) or temporary water rights.
• Assist CAMP, Hatcheries, and other agency divisions in researching water rights for capital projects and support requests for capital or grant funding. 
• Provide water right research and support to Real Estate staff prior to acquisitions.

Manage agency’s water rights records inventory:

• Incorporate new and/or existing water rights records into a master system as they are identified. 
• Work with agency staff across programs to assemble all water rights data for agency in one location. Confirm current and/or historical water usage and points of diversion. Assess tracking procedures and inventory gaps. 
• Develop and, as funding allows, manage efforts to accurately assess and track the level of water right utilization.

Work directly with Department of Ecology to research and verify opportunities to place water rights into temporary trust status:

• Confirm the level of utilization of water rights and identify water rights that are not being fully utilized and submit applications for trust status on behalf of the agency.

Participate on agency Water Science and/or Water Policy Teams led by Habitat Program and Drought Coordination Team as necessary serving as water rights expert:

• Work with agency staff to develop strategic planning opportunities that leverage water rights assets and resource values toward agency goals or resource needs.
• Provide timely assistance to Wildlife Area Managers when DOE orders related to minimum flows are distributed. 
• Coordinate with agency staff to develop and propose policy solutions to support effective use of water rights for conservation.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Approximately 90-95% of time in an office or telework setting. At minimum, will work one (1) day a week in person at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia (amount subject to change). May spend about 5-10% of time conducting field-based activities or travelling with some overnight stays required. Hazards could include driving in inclement weather or on gravel roads, walking on uneven terrain and outdoor exposure to varying weather conditions. Option for partial remote work may be available. 

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Some travel or deadlines may require work outside these hours. Option for partial remote/flexible schedule may be available.

Travel Requirements: Minimal travel or overnight stays.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Bachelor's degree involving major study in one (1) of the following: 

• Natural resource management
• Environmental science, physical science, or natural science
• Environmental planning
• Other allied field

AND  

Five (5) years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis, environmental control, or environmental planning, including at least one (1) year of experience in water rights.

Please Note: Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis. 

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Drivers License.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Working knowledge of Washington water law and water right practices. 
• Familiarity with and understanding of the Department of Ecology’s regulation and management of water rights.

Competencies: 

• Project management experience and demonstrating ability to effectively prioritize multiple issues/tasks.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, surveys, and legal descriptions.
• Ability to clearly and concisely present recommendations, ideas, and rationale for decisions.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office suite software.
• Experience using ARC Pro.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental information:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents 

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov. 
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-09891

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